Art Basel, exhibiting art of the 20th and 21st centuries, is indisputably the world’s leading fair in the international art market. Over 200 selected galleries from around the world present modern and contemporary works of high quality, transforming Messe Basel into a major, albeit temporary, museum.
Basel is where the art world meets
Art Basel is a meeting place for artists, art collectors and many celebrities from the art scene. The high-calibre exhibitions showcase various art forms, with both works by modern masters and art by emerging talents. Art Basel brings the art world to life – which is why it is so successful.
An impressive success story
As early as 1970, over 16,000 guests visited the first international Art Basel fair, which was started by three gallery owners from Basel: Trudl Bruckner, Ernst Beyeler and Balz Hilt. Both the exhibition space and the number of visitors doubled within just two years. Since 1999, Art Unlimited has hosted large-scale artworks such as sculptures, video projections and live performances. Its sister fair Art Basel Miami Beach debuted in the USA in 2002 with 160 galleries from 23 countries. Eleven years later, Art Basel Hong Kong finally opened.
With its satellite fairs, Art Basel now takes place four times a year on three continents: in Hong Kong in March, in its home city of Basel in June, in Paris in October and in Miami Beach in December.
One city – one gigantic exhibition
Parallel fairs of Art Basel
During the Art Basel week, a number of secondary fairs are organized in Basel and in the region. The Liste, Volta and Photo Basel are now permanent fixtures alongside the main fair.
The Liste Art Fair Basel was launched in 1996 as an international fair for discovering contemporary art. Here, younger galleries offer a platform to outstanding newcomers. In 2021, Liste presented its two new online formats: the digital arts fair Liste Showtime and the digital research forum Liste Expedition.
The Volta Art Fair Basel, the art fair in Basel for younger international galleries, has also established itself as an important parallel fair to the Art Basel since its inception in 2005.
At the Photo Basel, well-known and new galleries from Switzerland and abroad exhibit photographic art. It is the only international art fair in Switzerland dedicated entirely to photography-based art.
Coinciding with the art exhibitions, one of Europe’s most influential design fairs draws the attention of the global design scene to Basel. The forum Design Miami/ Basel brings furniture, light and art objects to life – with sensational results.
Event tips associated with Art Basel 2024
There is more to the world’s largest art fair than meets the eye. There will also be countless exhibitions, parties and secondary fairs.
Good to know.
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The Art Basel takes place every year in early summer.
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The Art Basel is held in the halls of Messe Basel, one of which was designed by the internationally renowned Basel architects Herzog & de Meuron. Messe Basel is located directly in the city centre and is therefore easily accessible by all means of transport.
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The exhibitors are influential and innovative galleries from all over the world.
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You can get your tickets for Art Basel online or on-site without queuing at the Basel Tourism information booths at the Swiss SBB railway station and Badischer Bahnhof.
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A day ticket costs CHF 68.
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Guided tours in German, English and French will be available.
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Every entrance to the exhibition halls is wheelchair-accessible. If you wish to hire a wheelchair, please visit the information desk in Hall 1 or Hall 2.
This is where people with disabilities can find information on the accessibility of hotels, museums and events, so that they can plan their visit to Basel in advance.
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Around Messe Basel, there is a large number of restaurants serving regional and international cuisine.
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The Messeturm, 105 metres tall, is located directly on the exhibition grounds. From Bar Rouge on the top floor, you will have a breath-taking view of many other places of interest in Basel, all within easy reach by tram or on foot.