Basel | ArtRegion: Basel - Oberrhein

Messe Basel

Art Basel 2022

Hall 1 (Unlimited) / Hall 2 (Galleries, Statements, Feature, Edition)

16. – 19. Juni 2022

This year, the main fair returns to its traditional June dates: it will take place at Messe Basel and across the city from Thursday 16 to Sunday 19 June 2022 (preview by invitation only: Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 June). It will again adopt a hybrid physical and digital format, so audiences worldwide can join online as well. The 2022 edition of Art Basel will feature 289 leading galleries from 40 countries and territories across the globe. They will be presenting artworks across all media, from painting and sculpture to photography and digital works, focusing on modern and contemporary artists. Luckily, many galleries who were forced to take a hiatus last year due to the pandemic, are now able to return. The Selection Committee has relaxed its exhibitor application requirements, recognizing the changing gallery landscape and allowing for a broader range of participants internationally. 19 galleries join the fair for the first time.

Art Basel consists of various sectors, so let’s take a closer look at those. The main sector is called Galleries and as usual located in Hall 2. It features 234 of the world’s leading galleries, showcasing painting, sculpture, drawing, installation, photography, video, digital, and editioned works of the highest quality. The Feature sector will bring together ambitious, curated solo and duo presentations by 26 galleries, including eight first-time exhibitors. The Statements sector will show 18 solo presentations of emerging artists competing for the 23rd Annual Baloise Art Prize. Up to two winners will receive a cash prize of CHF 30,000. Additionally, the Baloise Group will acquire works by the selected artists to exhibit at leading European museums. The Edition sector is dedicated to the field of prints and editioned works. It spreads throughout both floors of Hall 2 and will feature 11 galleries.

Unlimited in Hall 1 is a special sector and unique platform for projects that transcend the dimensions of a traditional art-fair stand. It provides galleries the opportunity to showcase expansive installations, monumental sculptures, vast wall paintings, extensive photographic series, and video projections. This year, 70 large-scale artworks will be presented, many by artists whose perspectives were long marginalized in the art world. For the first time, Art Basel will host a dedicated Unlimited Night on Thursday, June 16. Visitors are invited to explore the sector during extended hours and enjoy special performances.

Outdoors, the Messeplatz will once again be activated with a site-specific intervention. The participatory floor installation “Out of Sight” creates a space for public gathering and reflection and is an homage to American conceptual artist Lawrence Weiner, who passed away in December 2021.

Parcours features 20 site-specific installations and performances throughout the city center of Basel. This public sector will take place across civic and private spaces, as well as new venues in the city center – access to all sites is free to the public. Parcours Night, a convivial evening with extended opening hours, special performances and more, will return on Saturday, June 18.

Art Basel Live, the new digital platform first established last year, will return again. The program includes Online Viewing Rooms, virtual walkthroughs, and social media broadcasts. Unlimited and Parcours presentations will be featured in dedicated Online Viewing Rooms developed to give additional insight into these large-scale projects.

Art Basel’s renowned Film program will be screened at the Stadtkino Basel from Monday to Saturday. It showcases a selection of the most important artists worldwide working with moving images.

Finally, the talk series Conversations offers a platform for the exchange of ideas on topics concerning the global contemporary art scene. It will bring together leading artists, gallerists, collectors, curators, museum directors, and critics – 46 international speakers across 12 panels. The program will run from Wednesday to Saturday in the Auditorium in Hall 1. All events are free to the public and will also be streamed on Art Basel’s Facebook channel.

Special Nights
Unlimited Night: Thursday, June 16, 2022, 19-22
Parcours Night: Saturday, June 18, 2022, 16-23

During Art Basel Week we will publish daily recommendations in our Bucket Lists.