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Art Basel: discover the history of the world's largest art fair

The fair was born from the dazzling eyes of three Swiss gallerists in 1970, and today, Basel is much more than the name of a city, it is a global brand

By Redação

Updated at Feb 5, 2021, 10:28 AM - Submitted at Feb 4, 2021, 1:04 PM

08 min de leitura
First edition in 1970 - Basel, Switzerland

First edition in 1970 - Basel, Switzerland(Reprodução/)

First edition in 1970 - Basel, Switzerland
(Reprodução / CASACOR)
When Swiss gallery owners Ernst Beyeler, Trudi Bruckner and Balz Hilt began attending a fledgling art fair known as Kölner Kunstmarkt, which opened in 1967 in Cologne, Germany, a world full of possibilities opened up before their eyes . Inspired by what the eyes glimpsed, the trio decided to take the idea to their hometown of Basel .
art fair known as Kölner Kunstmarkt, opened in 1967 in Cologne, Germany
(Reprodução / CASACOR)
The Cologne fair had some flaws: it was focused largely on German galleries and did not promote international art, but the three gallery owners were shrewd businessmen and were determined to do something different, something unique in the history of art exhibitions . And Basel was the place. perfect for this.
art fair known as Kölner Kunstmarkt, opened in 1967 in Cologne, Germany
(Reprodução / CASACOR)
Located on the triple border between Switzerland, Germany and France, Basel is the third largest city in Switzerland , behind Geneva and Zurich, and is considered the cultural capital for its more than 40 museums and numerous galleries and antique shops . In addition to its privileged location in the heart of the old continent and the natural inclination for the arts, the city had been occupied by a new class of consumers in the post-war period , with relevant potential for the art market.

The first edition in Basel


Art Basel: first edition 1970
(Reprodução / CASACOR)
The first edition of the fair opened on June 12, 1970 and received more than 16,000 visitors and 110 exhibitors of ten nationalities. The big difference in Basel, which would make it the most famous contemporary art fair in the world , was the diversity scope of the works on display. The fair was not only aimed at refined European collectors in search of modern art, but also at young collectors from all over the world, the emerging class of art lovers and, of course, young artists.
Art Basel: first edition 1970
(Reprodução / CASACOR)
In 1975, in its sixth edition, it already had 300 exhibitors of 21 different nationalities . In its tenth edition, the fair revealed names such as the British Julian Opie and Tony Cragg and the Swiss duo Peter Fischli and David Weiss , who would later become great highlights in the world contemporary art scene .
Art Basel: first edition 1970
(Reprodução / CASACOR)
It was Luisa Strina , one of the most important gallery owners in the country, who made the Brazilian presence at the Basel fair . She was exhibiting her stand at the Cologne fair in the early 1990s when she was invited by the then director of Art Basel to exhibit at the fair.
Luisa Strina- Art Basel Miami Beach, 2018
(Reprodução / CASACOR)
“In the beginning, it was just me and one other assistant, we set up the gallery stand ourselves. The public and the fair in general were much smaller; it was something really exclusive, I was the only Latin American gallery owner for five years . Then they came in also Kurimazutto and Marcantonio Vilaça ”, recalls Strina.
Nara Roesler- Art Basel Miami Beach, 2019
(Reprodução / CASACOR)
Another important Brazilian gallery owner who began to show her presence at the fair in 2003 was Nara Roesler , who took a special project by the São Paulo artist Laura Vinci to the Miami fair. Later, in 2007, at the invitation of the Art Basel organizers, she took the Brazilian Helio Oiticica .

From Basel to the world


Art Basel 2019 facade
(Reprodução / CASACOR)
With the arrival of the 2000s, the expansion of the fair was already more than anticipated . Samuel Keller, then director of the fair, inaugurated the new millennium with the introduction of new technologies and media. Art Basel began to break with the classic concept of an exhibition. , giving rise to the most ambitious forms of exhibition: installations, monumental sculptures, large-scale paintings, video works and artistic performances.
Art Basel Miami Beach, 2011
(Gustavo Caballero / CASACOR)
In 2001, the inauguration of Art Basel in Miami Beach already had a date and place to start. Miami was a location chosen on purpose because it is right between Latin and North American territories. The goal was to expand the boundaries of the Basel fair, to make the artists from America more visible and take art across the ocean.
Art Basel Miami Beach, 2019
(Reprodução / CASACOR)
In 2020, the year that marks the fair's 50th anniversary , all editions were canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. New media and technologies were quickly adapted and during all these months its organizers have promoted online visits, lectures , digital content and virtual conversations truly connecting the entire world through the network. And so, anticipating years of change, in just a few months, a new era for Art Basel – and for art – has begun. Via Forbes.

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