June 16–21, 2014
Basel’s renowned art fair for new and emerging art
Deadline for applications: December 15, 2013
VOLTA, Basel’s renowned art fair for new and emerging art, is thrilled to announce its return to Markthalle, the domed landmark situated in the heart of the city on the Rhine. This move coincides with VOLTA‘s tenth anniversary and, as artnet Magazine wrote in 2012―”the most established of the Art Basel satellite fairs”―reaffirms VOLTA‘s position as an integral part of Basel’s art fair season.
“In our tenth year, we wanted once again to do something spectacular,” stated the fair’s Artistic Director Amanda Coulson, “and in Basel there is no location more awe-inspiring than the Markthalle. The dome’s redesign means we can reduce exhibitor numbers further and return to the boutique flavour of our original edition. Now entirely refurbished and upgraded, the site will bring us back from the fringes, both literally and metaphorically, with many former exhibitors signalling their interest to return for this decade anniversary and for this special location. It’s not our 50th anniversary, but it’ll be a golden one nonetheless!”
Markthalle is an iconic presence on the Basel skyline, greeting visitors from the central railway station and direct airport-bus. Upon its completion in 1929, Markthalle was the third-largest cupola structure in Europe and, as an unsupported concrete dome, ranks in the Top 10 today. After several years of renovations, including a chic residential tower erected next to it, the historic building reopens as a full-fledged marketplace and a hub for Basel business. Five years ago, VOLTA made a splash at Markthalle before moving on to ignite up-and-coming industrial neighborhood Dreispitz, southeast of the city center. In returning to Markthalle, VOLTA elevates its exhibitors’ respective platforms for an experience mutually beneficial to fair visitors and the galleries alike.
VOLTA has strengthened its presence and message in each iteration, creating a brand known and respected for its strict selection of exhibiting galleries and artists, including a growing list of alumni who have graduated to the main fairs. Former exhibitors like A Gentil Carioca (Rio de Janeiro), STEVENSON (Cape Town/Johannesburg), One and J. Gallery (Seoul) and bitforms gallery (New York) ascended to Frieze and Art Basel after exhibiting at VOLTA. Likewise, artists including Theaster Gates, Chris Johanson, Zilvinas Kempinas, Cameron Platter, Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook, and Adrian Williams have shown in prestigious events like the Venice Biennale, the Orangerie (Paris), dOCUMENTA, Art Basel’s Art Parcours and Art Unlimited, following their featured showings at VOLTA.
Encouraged by the response of collectors and institutional representatives to the fair’s solo presentations and curated booths, VOLTA continues to highlight single-artist projects and dynamic configurations of two or three artists in dialogue as the backbone to its program. In doing so, VOLTA returns the focus of the art fair atmosphere back to its most crucial component: the artists and their works. This coming June, over 60 international galleries will mount compelling projects under Markthalle’s mythical, illustrious octagonal dome. Showcasing the highest calibre of new art bearing salient contemporary positions within an elegant environment: this is VOLTA‘s mission.
VOLTA10 can be reached with just a few steps from the main SBB train station and by direct tram from the Messe (Tram Line 2, 5 stops). There are also several underground public car parks closely, so reaching the fair from anywhere in town will be effortless.
VOLTA was founded in Basel in 2005 by dealers Kavi Gupta (Chicago), Ulrich Voges (Frankfurt), and Friedrich Loock (Berlin). The next edition, VOLTA10, occurs on Monday, June 16 to Saturday, June 21, 2014, coinciding with Art Basel Week. Additionally, VOLTA NY returns to its elegant SoHo venue 82MERCER from Thursday, March 6 to Sunday, March 9, 2014, during Armory Arts Week.
Application online now
Deadline: December 15, 2013
