“The name came about just as spontaneously as the idea itself”, laughs Eveline. At the time, she and her partner Johannes Willi could never have expected the fair to still be an integral part of the Basel cultural week and Art Basel some one and a half decades later.

At the core remain art books with a strong visual focus – publications in which design, photography, illustration and visual language play a central role. “Images sometimes really do say more”, says Eveline.

On meeting Eveline, one thing quickly becomes clear: this gentle yet confident lady not only organizes art – she also lives it. Eveline studied art history in Paris – a city that she still feels a close connection to. Being on the move plays an important role in her life in general. She also travels together with Johannes whenever there’s an opportunity to do so. Recently, the couple spent a few days in their dream destination – Italy. Venice has especially captivated Eveline. Not least because of her favourite ice cream – lemon. “Venice has the absolute best – it’s so creamy!”

Despite this nomadic lifestyle, Eveline comes across as remarkably grounded. Perhaps partly because she has remained deeply connected to the analogue world. While her professional life revolves around screens, phones and organization, in private she chooses to forgo many of the things that have become second nature in modern life. She doesn’t have a diary or calendar, for example. “My appointments diary has always been empty – I simply keep everything in my head.” She relies on her photographic memory. “I move through the world with great awareness and attentiveness, focusing on what’s happening in the present moment.”

Consciousness in general seems to be a recurring theme in her life. She finds peace in her small allotment garden on the outskirts of Basel – a counterbalance to the recurring movements of her creative practice. In addition to organizing “I Never Read, Art Book Fair Basel”, Eveline works as a feng shui interior design consultant. Spaces, their effects and their energy have fascinated her for a long time.

She recommends three things to almost everyone: There should always be something visible beside your bed that evokes positive feelings, since consciously or unconsciously, it’s the first thing you see when you open your eyes in the morning. The entrance to your home should be kept as uncluttered as possible, making it easy for you to enter your living space. And – despite the name of her fair – you should always carry a book with you.

Eveline and Johannes have now been going through life together for 15 years – at home and at work. That their relationship works is down to their openness and mutual trust. “We’re very different”, says Eveline. “But that is precisely a positive thing.” Sometimes, she adds, you simply have to be able to let things go. Johannes still manages to surprise her regularly – “mostly in a good way”, she adds with a grin.

Johannes, in turn, particularly values the short lines of communication in their collaboration. “The communication is extremely direct.”

Of course, he adds, there need to be boundaries between work and private life. However, at their old apartment in Kleinbasel, with its yellow hallway floor and pink kitchen, one thing quickly becomes apparent: the two people who live and work here together grant each other space and freedom.

They also value this apparent lack of boundaries in the city of Basel: “The best thing here is that you can be in France or Germany almost immediately”, says Johannes. “You’re instantly immersed in other cultures – sometimes an authentic crêpe just across the border is enough for that.”

But they would like to see more freedom in Basel. More green spaces. More places without consumer pressure. And above all, greater support for young creative artists. “There’s nothing more valuable than being able to create art without constantly having to think about profit”, says Johannes. “After all, art largely brings our city to life.”