VOLTA6 – Basel
16 – 20 June 2010
Previews (by invitation)
Wednesday 12 p.m. -4 p.m.;
General 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Helsinkistrasse, 5
4142 Basel / Münchenstein
Switzerland
info [at] voltashow.com
This newly-renovated Dreispitzhalle is the centerpiece of Basel’s latest hot spot, the Dreispitz Areal, a former warehouse district and now an artistically-vibrant neighborhood best known for the Schaulager. The move takes VOLTA back to its signature environment of slightly rougher yet fast-developing areas that facilitate an adequate sense of discovery and an approach toward the cutting edge. The new venue allows for 79 traditional booths and promises once again a boutique event of the kind that built VOLTA’s name and reputation.
The Curatorial Board – Adam Budak, Curator of Kunsthaus Graz and co-curator of Manifesta 7; Jacopo Crivelli Visconti, Critic & Curator, Sâo Paulo, Christoph Doswald, Art Critic and Curator, Zurich; Jasper Sharp, Curator and Writer, Vienna; and Stephanie Smith, Curator at Smart Museum of Art, Chicago—screened over 350 applications to create a selection of 81 tightly-focused, fresh and neoteric positions, including 50 galleries from all over Europe and the U.S., as well as an increased number from South America, Asia and Canada.
Following the recurring success of VOLTA NY’s single artist format, this year’s VOLTA6 introduces the VOLTA SOLO section, in which 13 project booths are allocated to a single project, including Dresden-based artist Hannes Broecker; Akihiro Higuchi, Tokyo; Herwig Weiser, Vienna/Cologne; Paris-based artist Raphaël Zarka; 2008 Whitney Biennial participant Ellen Harvey, New York; Toronto duo Jennifer Marman & Daniel Borins; Tadej Pogacar from Ljubljana; Hungarian artist Gyula Várnai from the city of Dunaújváros; Chicago-based Justin Cooper; Hervé Paraponaris, Marseille; Vancouver-based interdisciplinary artist Holly Ward; Katrin Korfmann, Berlin; and finally, São Paulo-based artist João Loureiro.
Complementing the fair are two new initiatives VOLTA LIGHTBOX and VOLTA UNCOVERED. LIGHTBOX takes place on the lower level of the Lounge area and focuses on lightworks, including sculptures, videos and light murals by 10 international artists including; Peter Alexander, Ron Cooper, Laddie John Dill, presented by NYEHAUS, New York; Laura Buckley and Jakob Mattner, presented by 401 Contemporary, Berlin; Christina Benz and Ghost of a Dream, presented by The Cynthia Corbett Gallery, London; Gerry Fox; presented by Eleven Gallery, London; Fernando Gutiérrez, presented by Espacio Líquido, Gijon and Adriaan Verwée, presented by TATJANA PIETERS, Ghent and Katja Loher presented by Vernon Gallery, Prague.
UNCOVERED, meanwhile, makes the most of the outdoor spaces with sculptural and painted works, as well as interventions, on the exterior of the Dreispitzhalle. Los Angeles-based arts organisation L.A. Art Machine presents four legendary street artists—Mear One, Kofie, Retna and El Mac—at work in real time; Czech sculptor Kristof Kintera shows his latest large scale sculpture Paradise Now, while Brazilian artist Marlon de Azambuja, who often uses tape or wrappings, will intervene on the hall’s exterior and the surrounding area that will literally uncover new forms underneath the everyday reality of the industrial area.
VOLTA6 at Dreispitzhalle is only 7 minutes from the main SBB train station by public transport or 5 minutes by car; 9 minutes by tram from LISTE (Wettsteinplatz) and with direct VOLTA6 shuttles running from Art Basel, reaching the fair will be effortless. With a 450-place car park next door, the new venue will also offer easier parking than any previous location. All travel information can be found by visiting our website. The new opening days—from Wednesday through Sunday—respond to exhibitor and visitor demand to be open for the full weekend and allow for a more relaxed time earlier in the week for exploring all of Basel’s offers.
We are very happy that with this move to one of Basel’s emerging yet fastest growing and changing neighborhoods, VOLTA will once again prove that we stay sharp, edgy and forward thinking.
VOLTA was founded in Basel in 2005 by dealers Kavi Gupta (Chicago), Ulrich Voges (Frankfurt) and Friedrich Loock (Berlin).
For further Information please contact:
Lesley Tully / Julia Wittwer
press@voltashow.com
