Claudius Krucker | 8. Juni 2024

Art Basel Week 2024 – far more fairs

Art Basel itself is a large and multifaceted fair, so it takes visitors quite a while to get through. But there’s even more to explore in and around Basel! Over time, other fairs have settled around Art Basel, taking place at the same time, so during this one week in June, the entire city turns into a huge exhibition space and spectacle. Here’s an overview of fairs joining Art Basel this year.

Design Miami.Basel is the global forum for collectible design, presenting top international galleries for historical and contemporary furniture, lighting, and objets d’art. This year the fair will take place at its usual location at Hall 1 South, Messe Basel, from Tuesday to Sunday, 11-16 June (Preview for collectors and VIP on Monday 10 June). This year’s edition will be based on the new format that has been introduced in 2023, showcasing over 25 design galleries, most of them long-standing exhibitors, including 8 galleries in the “Design Curio” program. Design At Large willl return with three large-scale works. As special projects, Do You Read Me?, Downtown+, Friedman Benda and Pulp Galerie When it comes to special projects, Do You Read Me?, Downtown+, Friedman Benda and Pulp Galerie are the galleries to mention.

Talking of design, we also want to mention JEWELS Basel, presenting masterpieces in jewellery design, the rarest gemstones, the last pink diamonds – and art. Originally started as a satellite to the Baselworld Watches and Jewellery fair, it has in the meantime moved to the Art Basel week. Located at the Wildt’sches Haus at Petersplatz 13, a representative city palace that is also used by the Basel government for special events and now houses some renowned representatives of the international and national jewellery and art scene during the show. After a previewon 10 June (by invitation only), the salon opens its doors from Tuesday 11 to Thursday 14 June, with free entrance.

Liste Art Fair Basel, “the mother of satellite fairs” in Basel, is an international fair for new discoveries in contemporary art. A younger generation of galleries exhibits artists representing the latest developments and trends in contemporary art. This year, 91 galleries from 35 countries will present 75 solo shows and 16 group shows, as well as 5 joint booths. Starting with a well-visited public opening on Monday evening, the fair returns to Hall 1.1 at Messe Basel (entrance through Hall 3 at the Northern end of Hall 1) where already the past three editions took place. On the digital channel, you find the two well-known online formats, Liste Showtime Online as the digital art fair, and Liste Expedition Online, a digital research forum.

The Swiss Art Awards exhibition accompanies the Swiss Art Competition. Held annually since 1899, it is the world’s oldest art award. The exhibition is organized by the Swiss Federal Office of Culture and offers an insight into current art and architecture in Switzerland. Returning to its recent location at Hall 1.1, Messe Basel (entrance at Gate 107 between Halls 1 and 2, no access from Riehenring street), it will be open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11-16 June. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday morning, and in the evening the public opening will attract the who’s who of the contemporary Swiss art scene.

The Swiss Design Awards exhibition is the most important annual meeting for the Swiss design scene. The Federal Office of Culture showcases all aspects of contemporary Swiss design in an international context. All Swiss designers and designers working in Switzerland can take part in the competition, 17 Prizes are awarded. The exhibition shares the space and opening hours with the Swiss Art Awards in Hall 1.1. On display are around 50 projects by the finalists and a rich supporting program places them in a wider context. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Monday evening, prior to the public opening.

Photo Basel is Switzerland’s first and only international art fair dedicated to photography based art. 41 galleries from 15 countries will showcase more than 450 artistic positions. The fair runs from Tuesday to Sunday, 11-16 June (VIP Preview by invitation on Monday evening) and takes again place at Volkshaus Basel, which is only a 10 minute walk from Messe Basel.

VOLTA Basel, founded in 2005, aims to give new and medium-sized galleries an international platform. The fair is returning to its 2023 location, Klybeck 610, based in the Klybeck district and a short 20 minute walk or 5 minute shuttle bus from Art Basel. With a curated selection of 45 galleries from 24 countries, this is the inaugural edition under artistic director Lee Cavaliere.

June was founded in 2019 and prioritizes an open format and encourages the intergenerational group of participants to communicate and collaborate. June will return to its previous location at Riehenstrasse 90B, an iconic concrete bunker right next to Messe Basel. The fair will open Monday, 10 June with a VIP preview and remain on view to the public until Sunday, 16 June.

I Never Read is an Art Book Fair, entry is free and open to anyone. The event brings together 100 national and international publishers, artists, authors and designers who choose the book as their instrument for art production. It returns to its usual location at Kaserne Basel from Wednesday to Saturday, 12 – 15 June. Be aware that this fair will not be open on Sunday 16 June but closes on Saturday 18:00!

When you think that this might not be enough: There are two newcomers on the horizon this year, filling gaps in the Art Basel Week offers spotted by the respective organizers.

The Digital Art Mile by ArtMeta – you might guess it – is an art show and fair focusing on digital art, that will spotlight the premier NFT galleries, platforms and projects. Spanning over two locations at the Rebgasse 25 and 31, it is in close vicinity to this year’s Parcours neighborhood and a few minutes away from the main fair. Open Monday to Sunday 10-16 June, it also includes a Conference program from Tuesday to Saturday.

Basel Art Summer Camp debuts at Hyve Hostel in the Gundeldingen neighborhood (5 minutes from Basel SBB), with an opening night on Thursday 13 June and regular opening hours at Friday and Saturday 14/15 June. BASC is a community-led initiative that provides a platform for emerging artists to stay in Basel and showcase their work during this art-filled week. Beside a pop-up gallery and affordable art shop with 9 selected artists, the concept includes art workshops, live mural drawing… and more. We are curious to see this developing!

Last but not least, we want to mention here the Basel Social Club. , an initiative founded in 2022 by a collective of artists, gallerists, and curators who intended to create social spaces for art. After the debut with a precisely curated show in and around a villa in 2022 and a massive expansion in a former mayonnaise factory in 2023, Basel  Social Club returns in a new format and a new location: A week-long event in the open air on farmland fields in the Bruderholz neighborhood. Open Sunday 9 to Sunday 16 June, the 2024 edition presents not only an exhibition by local and international artists, but also an extensive program of performances and culinary offerings.