The Must-Sees Of Art Basel 2024

By Nel-Olivia Waga

For its 2024 edition in Basel, Art Basel brings together 285 leading international galleries showcasing the highest quality work across all media, including painting, sculpture, photography and digital artworks. Twenty-two first-time participants have joined the lineup of international exhibitors returning from around the globe. For the first time, led by Maike Cruse, Director of Art Basel in Basel, the marquee Swiss fair is also featuring a reconceptualized Parcours sector curated by Stefanie Hessler Director of Swiss Institute, along with a new venue for continuous, around-the-clock artistic events and shows at a transformed former Hotel Merian.

Here are my highlights from this year’s fair.

Refik Anadol x Turkish Airlines: ‘Inner Portrait’

Turkish Airlines’ “Inner Portrait” project, in collaboration with media artist Refik Anadol, exemplifies the fusion of art and technology. Anadol, known for his innovative use of data to create immersive art, transforms human experiences into dynamic visual narratives. His work on “Inner Portrait” utilizes advanced AI tools and neuroscientific sensors to capture the emotional and cognitive responses of first-time travelers. This raw emotional data, including heart rate and EEG outputs, becomes the foundation for AI Data Paintings, illustrating the profound impact of travel.

Anadol’s artistry delves into the inner worlds of four individuals from diverse backgrounds, highlighting their responses to new environments. His unique approach emphasizes the universal desire for exploration and cultural exchange, redefining traditional art boundaries. By visualizing the essence of human experiences through technology, Anadol celebrates the transformative nature of travel, positioning himself as a leading figure in contemporary media art.

”In my practice, I’ve had the privilege to travel around the world, so I deeply understand the transformative experience of seeing new places, meeting new people and learning about new cultures,” says Refik Anadol. “Having the opportunity to partner with Turkish Airlines on a project that gives four people a chance to travel abroad for the first time is truly inspiring.”

Inner Portrait is a prestigious platform that celebrates artistic innovation and cultural exchange by pushing boundaries and challenging perspectives. A 30-minute documentary of Inner Portrait will be live in Autumn 2024.

Ai WeiWei’s ‘Therese Dreaming, 2024’ at Galleria Continua

“I think we are on the same track together with writers and poets such as Arthur Rimbaud and Walt Whitman. Once you design the language, you can be in command. That is how to have a better understanding of my recent works. LEGO being used to carry personal messages, those stories related to me, my childhood and my education are embedded in them. Pixels, digitalization, segmentation, fragmentation and disconnection provide the unique freedom for reproduction, allowing for a qualitative and quantitative breakthrough in the formation of images that is distanced from the widely used order, method, and composition.

It is similar to the use of ancient mosaics, and the presentation of fabrics (silk, wool) and carpets, which have a long tradition. Like the wooden movable-type printing in Song Dynasty (ca. 1000 AD), the methods and means of production have replaced manual control, and this has led to a high level of accuracy and precision of the images completed.” says Ai Weiwei about his work.

Pace

Pace’s presentation is anchored by historical works from 20th century figures, including Alexander Calder, Adolph Gottlieb, Agnes Martin, Louise Nevelson, and Richard Pousette-Dart as well as Sam Gilliam, Kiki Kogelnik and Pablo Picasso.

Jean Dubuffet’s installation, Banc-Salon (1970-2024) features at the center of the gallery’s fair presentation. Exhibited in collaboration with Galerie Lelong & Co., Banc-Salon is composed of a low, meandering bench, installed below two hovering cerfs-volantes—kites. Inviting visitors to sit and reflect, this historically significant sculpture upends the traditional architecture of the art fair booth.

Hauser & Wirth

Hauser & Wirth returned to Art Basel this year with a booth reflective of the exceptional and varied artistic voices that have come to define its cross-generational program. In addition to unveiling new works by Avery Singer, Rashid Johnson, Nicolas Party, Frank Bowling and Flora Yukhnovich, the presentation showcases contemporary works by Mark Bradford, Isa Genzken, Amy Sherald, Zhang Enli, Anj Smith and Anna Maria Maiolino, who is a recipient of the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale this year.

Works by historical masters include Hans Arp, Philip Guston (currently exhibited at Hauser & Wirth Zurich), Maria Lassnig, Alina Szapocznikow, Jack Whitten, Fausto Melotti, Ed Clark and Lee Lozano.

In addition, Hauser & Wirth celebrated the inauguration with its permanent space in Basel exhibiting Vilhem Hammershoi, with a show ‘Silence’.

Facts & Figures by Maja Bajevic, UBS Art Collection

Commissioned by the UBS Art Collection, the site-specific installation consists of embroideries that reflect on the concept of time in relation to challenges faced by women. In highlighting the lack of time through a very time-consuming craft such as embroidery, the artist references the female experience, especially since embroidery has historically been considered women’s work. The artwork is part of larger exhibition about textile art in the UBS Lounge—a medium gaining popularity considering recent exhibition such as the Venice Art Biennale or upcoming institutional shows such as ‘Tapta: Flexible Forms’ at Muzeum Susch, opening July 20.

‘When the sun goes away we paint the sky’ by Petrit Halilaj, UBS Global Art

Visible during the day and illuminated at night, this dancing constellation transforms darkened symbols of historical decline into radiant and poetic calls for collective hope toward the future. Installed at the former Hotel Merian until the end of the year, the artwork was co-commissioned by Art Basel and UBS to mark the 30^th anniversary of their partnership, one of the art world’s longest and most enduring corporate partnerships.

La Prairie x Pietro Terzini

The renowned Swiss luxury skincare brand is creating a buzz at Art Basel with an exciting new collaboration. They’ve teamed up with Italian digital artist Pietro Terzini, known for his bold and playful pop-art style. Terzini has added his unique touch to La Prairie’s famous Skin Caviar Collection, bringing a fresh, vibrant energy to the line.

This partnership celebrates the launch of Skin Caviar The Mist, with a series of stunning artworks that first appeared at La Prairie’s Zurich Maison during Art Weekend Zurich, and are now dazzling Art Basel attendees. The blend of art and skincare innovation offers a delightful experience for both art lovers and beauty enthusiasts.

Adding to the excitement, there’s a public installation by Terzini at Messeplatz, where brand ambassadors in cobalt t-shirts featuring his designs invite everyone to experience the refreshing La Prairie Skin Caviar The Mist—on the go.

Art Basel Shop

Art Basel have teamed up with Sarah Andelman – co-founder and former creative director of the iconic Parisian concept store Colette, and founder of Just An Idea – for the first edition of The Art Basel Shop, a new concept store marking the brand’s first foray into retail. The new concept store showcases a selection of bespoke lifestyle products that celebrate and extend the Art Basel experience including a range of pieces imagined by Christine Sun Kim and skate decks by Cindy Sherman. The selection ranges from CHF 3 ($3.35) for a sticker to CHF 5,500 CHF ($6,135) for a Josh Sperling puzzle published by Perrotin.

‘From culture lovers to established art patrons, our audience has a strong desire for products that bottle and preserve the utterly unique experience of being at Art Basel long after the show closes. Expertly curated and brought to life by artist and brand collaborations at the highest level, The Art Basel Shop is fully aligned with our vision to create new ways to engage and positively impact our audience, to deliver more value to galleries, artists and cultural partners, and to materially celebrate and reinforce Art Basel as a best-in-class, unmissable cultural experience’ says Haley Romer, Chief Growth Officer, Art Basel.