ART FAIRS: Art Basel 2022-Basel

The 2022 edition of Art Basel this June brings together 289 leading international galleries to present the highest quality artworks across all media – from painting and sculpture to photography and digital works – by artists ranging from early 20th-century Modern pioneers to cutting-edge contemporary practitioners. A strong line-up of galleries from across Europe will be joined by new and returning exhibitors from around the world, including Africa, Asia, North and South America, and the Middle East.

By Efi Michalarou
Photo: Art Basel Archive

19 galleries join Art Basel for the first time, including two first-time participants from Africa: Jahmek Contemporary Art from Luanda and OH Gallery from Dakar. In recognition of the changing gallery landscape, this year Art Basel and its Basel Selection Committee relaxed its exhibitor application requirements, including the minimum number of exhibitions a gallery must hold per year, the need to have a permanent exhibition space, and the number of years the gallery must have been in operation. These changes in the requirements, which were first introduced for the 2021 edition of the show in Miami Beach, have now been adopted broader range of first-time participants internationally. Galleries: The show’s main sector features 234 leading galleries, showcasing painting, sculpture, drawing, installation, photography, video, digital, and editioned works of the highest quality. Mariane Ibrahim, with spaces in Paris and Chicago, joins the fair for the first time this year. Additionally, eight galleries previously exhibiting in Feature or Statements will graduate into the main sector, showcasing the full range of their program: Balice Hertling from Paris, The Breeder from Athens, Ben Brown Fine Arts with spaces in Hong Kong, London and Palm Beach, Jenkins Johnson Gallery with spaces in New York and San Francisco, JTT from New York, Galerie Max Mayer from Düsseldorf, Labor from Mexico City, and Vedovi Gallery from Brussels. Feature: The sector once again brings together ambitious, curated solo and duo presentations by 26 galleries, including eight first-time exhibitors. The sector will feature two joint booths: Altman Siegel and Bridget Donahue with a presentation of works by Lynn Hershman Leeson and Daniel Marzona and Gallery Sofie Van de Velde with works by Guy Mees. Further highlights from the sector include: abstract artist Nancy Graves formally rigorous paintings at Ceysson & Bénétière; Texas-born artist Hugh Hayden installation of sculptures which address Africa, and the formation of personal identity at Clearing; Galerie Knoell’s retrospective exhibition of Meret Oppenheim, which coincides with the major survey of her work in Bern, Houston, and New York. Statements: Dedicated to emerging artists across the globe, this year Statements will feature 18 solo presentations and welcome 10 new entries. Highlights from the sector include: ESF, a new immersive, single-channel video work by Sara Sadik presented by Galerie Crèvecoeur; a new site-specific installation by Zimbabwean artist Kresiah Mukwazhi presented by Jan Kaps; -minute puppet show by Peruvian artist Daniela Ortiz presented by Laveronica arte contemporanea. The 23rd Annual Baloise Art Prize, comprising a cash prize of CHF 30,000 per winner, will be awarded to up to two artists exhibiting in Statements, with recipients to be announced at Art Basel’s media reception. In addition, the Baloise Group will acquire works by the selected artists for donation to two leading European museums, which will hold solo exhibitions of the artists. Edition: Spread throughout both floors of Hall 2, the sector will feature 11 leading galleries in the field of prints and editioned works: Borch Editions, Cristea Roberts Gallery, mfc-michèle didier, Gemini G.E.L., Galerie Sabine Knust, Carolina Nitsch, Paragon, René Schmitt, Susan Sheehan Gallery, STPI, and Two Palms. Two Palms will showcase Measurement: 24 by Mel Bochner on the Spotlight wall facing the Rundhof. Unlimited: Art Basel’s unique platform for projects that transcend the limitations of a traditional art-fair stand, will take place in Hall 1 and will be curated for the second year by Giovanni Carmine, Director of the Kunst Halle Sankt Gallen. This year, Art Basel will host a dedicated Unlimited Night for the first time on Thursday, June 16, inviting visitors to explore the sector during extended hours. Parcours: Featuring site-specific installations and performances throughout the city center of Basel, Parcours will once again be curated by Samuel Leuenberger, founder of the non-profit exhibition space SALTS in Birsfelden and Country SALTS in Bennwill, Switzerland. After a brief hiatus Art Basel will host again the Parcours Night on Saturday, June 18. Film: Screened at Stadtkino Basel, the Film program will again be curated by Filipa Ramos, Founding Curator of the online video platform Vdrome, Lecturer at the Arts Institute of the FHNW in Basel, and Director of the Contemporary Art Department of the City of Porto. In addition, film curator Marian Masone will select an outstanding film portrait of an artist to be screened during the show week. The Conversations program offers audiences access to first-hand information on the international art world and is programmed by Art Basel. The panels are open to all and free, taking place in the auditorium.

Photo: Art Basel in Basel 2022, Courtesy Art Basel

Info: Art Basel 2022, Messe Basel, Messeplatz 10, Basel, Switzerland, Duration: 16-19/6/2022, Days & Hours: Thu-Sun 11:00-19:00, Admission: exclusively available for purchase online: Day Ticket: CHF 65, Reduced Day Ticket for Students/Seniors: CHF 52, Unlimited Ticket: CHF 25-85, Permanent Ticket: CHF 230, Group of three at a reduced price, valid on one day: CHF 180, more options here, www.artbasel.com/