|
Article translated by Amritee Mahabir
Despite the huge increase in market exhibitions, that is finding its place everywhere; Art Basel can be confirmed as always as one of the most interesting international exhibitions dedicated to contemporary and classical XX century art.
The art fair that will take place in Basel was established in recent years as an important international event not only from an art market point of view, but also from that of artistic research. Actually, this fair will not only be host to stands from international galleries, but it is also dedicating a space for other exhibitive projects of many more dimensions and of a much higher level. Just for the attention and success that Art Basel manages to achieve, since 2002 the art exhibitions have also realised a winter show which is held each year in December at Miami Beach entitled “Art Basel Miami Beach”.
Art Basel is the most important annual market for world art and offers art enthusiasts the greatest “current museum” around. Specialists of this sector can discover works researched, new talents and also new trends.
For artists, the Basel fair is a renowned platform to launch themselves to the world; many of these authors including Mariko Mori, Vanessa Beecroft, Elisabeth Peyton, Gregor Schneider, Kara Walker and Ghada Amer, have made their big international appearance here before becoming famous worldwide. In fact, Art Basel has always payed particular attention to emerging artists for whom spaces like “Art Statements”, “Art Unlimited” and “Art Premiere” is foreseen.
Gallery owners know that whoever obtains one of the promotional stands will enjoy attention from the specialised public, something that is difficult to achieve in other parts of the world. At Art Basel, one comes to know in a flash if the best curators invite artists to their show, when art works are acquired by high level collectors or even if shows in notable museums or galleries are offered.
There are still two spare museums needed to help inaugurate the 39th edition of the Art Basel (from 4th to 8th June), but meanwhile, around 300 outstanding worldwide galleries who will present more than 2000 XX and XXI century artists have already been selected to participate in it.
The galleries were selected according to rigorous criteria from among a record number of over 1000 candidates. Of the most important presences to be noted, of course for the quantity, are: the United States with 72 galleries, Germany with 49, Switzerland with 35, Great Britain with 29 and France with 22 exhibitors.
Even Italy is one of the most represented countries, given that it boasts a good number of 10 galleries like Zero in Milan that is proposing Pietro Roccasalva, Alfonso Artiaco from Naples, the Galleria Continua of San Gimignano which brings Michelangelo Pistoletto to Basel, but also the Galleria Emi Fontana in Milano, the Neapolitan T293, the Galleria Massimo Minini of Brescia and the Magazzino d’Arte Moderna in Rome.
The organisers of the 39th Art Basel wish to achieve excellent results like those obtained in the previous edition. In fact in 2007, Art Basel was verified as a highly successful event, not only culturally but also economically, obtaining excellent results both from a qualitative and a quantitative point of view. As we all remember, the 38th edition registered a record 60,000 visitors and a huge 2,300 media representatives present during the five day fair.
We hope that in 2008 too, the event in the city of Basel manages to keep its world leadership in the modern and contemporary world of art fairs maintaining its solid reputation that was established due to its quality, and the diversity of art works on exhibit which attracts a huge international public following each year consisting of collectors, professionals, artists and other art lovers.
From 4th to 8th June 2008
39ESIMA ART BASEL
Tel. +41/58-200 20 20
Web: www.artbasel.com
Email: info@artbasel.com
Times: every day from 11.00 to 19.00;
Ticket: daily pass CHF 35;
Two day pass CHF 60;
Permanent pass CHF 85;
|
Loading ...