Art Basel

Art Basel is one of the world's most important international art fairs. It stages modern and contemporary art shows that bring together artists, collectors, gallerists, and art enthusiasts from around the globe.

1. History: Art Basel was founded by gallerists Ernst Beyeler, Trudi Bruckner, and Balz Hilt in 1970. They intended to showcase high-quality modern and contemporary works and provide a platform for networking and discovery within the art world.
2. Locations: While the original fair is held annually in Basel, Switzerland, two additional Art Basel fairs have been established in other global cultural hubs. Art Basel Miami Beach launched in 2002, and Art Basel Hong Kong was inaugurated in 2013.
3. Participating Galleries and Artists: Each show features more than 250 leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, and Asia, displaying works by over 4,000 artists. These artists range from emerging talents to established masters.
4. Types of Works: Art Basel features a wide range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, installations, video, multiples, prints, photography, and performance art.
5. Visitors: Each edition of Art Basel attracts a large international audience. Pre-pandemic, the Basel show typically drew around 95,000 visitors, Miami Beach around 80,000, and Hong Kong around 60,000.
6. Sectors: Each Art Basel fair is divided into multiple sectors. These include Galleries (the main exhibition sector), Feature (curated projects), Statements (solo presentations by emerging artists), Edition (limited editions and prints), Film, Parcours (site-specific outdoor works), and Unlimited (large-scale installations and performances).
7. Art Basel Cities: Launched in 2016, Art Basel Cities is an initiative that partners with cities worldwide to develop vibrant and content-rich cultural programming.
8. Online Viewing Rooms: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Art Basel launched its Online Viewing Rooms in 2020. This digital platform allows galleries to showcase their artists to a global audience, regardless of travel restrictions.

Art Basel has had a significant impact on the global art market, providing a platform for the exchange of artworks and ideas, and fostering the careers of artists. Its influence continues to grow, both in terms of its physical fairs and its increasing online presence.