What to do in Basel during Art Basel 2024?
From June 13 to 16, 2024, Basel will transform, like every year, into a veritable high mass for contemporary art players.
During this edition, more than 285 international galleries and artists come together to present their works, ranging from painting to sculpture, including photography and digital creations.
To guide you during your Basel getaway, L'Officiel lists the essential stops.
Unlimited and Parcours: Grandiose exhibitions and urban routes
The Unlimited sector, under the direction of Giovanni Carmine, director of the Kunst Halle Sankt Gallen, will dazzle you with its 70 monumental installations.
Not-to-be-missed works include Bettina Pousttchi's six-metre-high sculpture and Swedish artist Anna Uddenberg's installation.
For the first time, visitors will also be able to vote for their favourite work.
Stefanie Hessler, director of the Swiss Institute in New York, is reinventing the Parcours sector by transforming Clarastrasse to the Middle Bridge into a true artistic route.
This experiential journey will take visitors through stores, a hotel, a restaurant and even a brewery, highlighting works that explore themes of commerce, globalization and ecology.
Digital Art: The Digital Art Mile
The motto of this stopover? Innovation. ArtMeta inaugurates The Digital Art Mile, Basel's first ever digital art fair.
It is the “hotspot” for all tech enthusiasts and daring collectors this season, who are betting on the acquisition of digital works.
Until June 16, several international galleries and digital art platforms will exhibit a wide panorama of contemporary and historical works.
Among the exhibitors, we find the French platform DANAE, which represents six digital artists, including the famous DJ and artist Agoria, recently exhibited at the Musée d'Orsay and Stephan Breuer, who was among the list of French artists represented during the last Egyptian art edition , at the foot of the pyramids of Giza.
The Italian gallery Cinello, based in Milan and Florence, will also be present and is worth the detour with a cutting-edge curation imagined by digital art expert Serena Tabacchi, who presents, for example, the work of the artist Linda Dounia Rebeiz.
Finally, we recommend a stop at the space dedicated to the prestigious Pierre Sigg foundation, highlighting several artists to follow closely, including Justin Aversano, and Gregory Chatonsky.
Parallel fairs: Liste, Volta, Photo Basel…
Don't miss the Art Fair Basel List either, dedicated to young international galleries and the discovery of new talents.
The Volta Art Fair Basel and Photo Basel, the only art fair in Switzerland dedicated to photography, also offer opportunities to discover particularly innovative works...
We highly recommend a stop at HEK, the local electronics museum, which has put together a very rich program for the week.
Design Miami/Basel
For design lovers, Design Miami/Basel is a must. This forum brings together art objects, furniture and lighting, creating a spectacular visual experience.
Our favourite ? Without a doubt the corner of the 193 Gallery, which is unveiling for the occasion a solo show by the French artist Ben Arpéa, whose colorful furniture does not go unnoticed.
Where to eat
After a day full of artistic discoveries, treat yourself to a vitello tonnato at the Mediterranean restaurant with a strong Italian accent, Zum Rebhaus.
Riehentorstrasse 11, 4058 Basel
Sweet tooths looking for a comforting coffee break should definitely head to the Bäckerei KULT bakery, to treat themselves to a generous latte and a massive pistachio roll.
Riehentorstrasse 18, 4058 Basel
Finally, to see and be seen, the iconic address of this edition is the WE ARE ONA & ART BASEL pop-up, imagined by the famous designer Pierre Marie.
The culinary experience offered by the talented chef Sayaka Sawagucchi will give you a lasting memory.
Or sleep
The Grand Hôtel Les Trois Rois remains a must for regulars. If you don't sleep there, we recommend treating yourself to a drink to reset the world after dark.
For design buffs, the Nomad Design & Lifestyle Hotel. Without hesitation.
Nomad Design & Lifestyle Hotel
Brunngässlein 8 CH–4052 BASEL
