Successful Art 33 Basel
Art Basel
Successful Art 33 Basel
Art 33 Basel, the International Art Show, closed its gates on Monday, June 17. Art 33 Basel made a strong impression, confirming its po-sition as the art show and annual meeting place of the art world. This is founded on the outstanding quality of the exhibited works of art, the influx of exponents of the international art scene and its inspiration to the art market. The exhibiting galleries, the worlds press and the international public unanimously delivered positive feedback on Art 33 Basel and spoke of a successful and exciting event. The 268 exhibitors from Europe, North and Latin America, Asia and Australia said goodbye to 50,000 visitors after seven days abundant in events, discoveries and sales.
The International Art Show, Art 33 Basel, closed with outstanding results. The participants rated the 33rd staging of the show as an excellent year that at the very least matched the standard set by last years record-breaking show. Samuel Keller, Director of Art Basel, had the following to say about the event: «Art 33 Basel was a true festival of art. The galleries and their artists presented outstanding works and were rewarded accordingly.» Despite the beautiful and hot summer weather, 50,000 art collectors, museum representatives, artists and art aficionados from around the globe visited Art 33 Basel (55,000 in 2001). Among them, 1,500 representatives of the media from all the continents gathered information on everything presently available on the international art market. The medias great interest in Art Basel also ensured the exhibiting galleries additional attention and response from the press. The elaborately designed catalogue, which provides an extensive overview of the current international art market, was sold out on the last day of the show.
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The outcome of «Art Unlimited» was also highly positive. This platform was mounted for the third time, featuring works that transcend the boundaries of exhibition booths at art shows, and frequently also those set by galleries, museums and other traditional venues at which art is presented. A total of 66 projects were exhibited: large installations, video projections, outsize paintings and sculptures, installations, performances and digital art. The participating galleries and artists were enthusiastic, and the specialists and the public emphasized the quality of the exhibited works of art and the effective exhibition architecture. «Art Unlimited» is generously supported by the UBS Financial Services Group, which has been the main sponsor of Art Basel since 1994. Making its debut, was the «Art Lobby» communication platform. This featured important personalities of the international art scene and provided the interested public with a chance three times a day to ask questions. The guests included Ernst Beyeler, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Patricia Sandretto, Francesco Bonami, Pierre Huber, Jeop van Lieshout, Skip Arnold and many others. The highlight of «Art Lobby» was surely the appearance by the internationally renowned artist Jeff Koons, who visited Art 33 on Sunday and attended the play Jeff Koons in the evening at the Stadttheater Basel.
Another crowd-puller was «Art Statements», consisting of 17 one-person shows by young artists. The participants were highly pleased with visitors interest for this platform, which not only produced good sales, but also an opportunity to meet important players of the worldwide art scene and attracted great interest from the media. The prize donated by the Baloise group specifically for «Art Statements» went to the Glasgow-based artist Cathy Wilkes and the American John Pilson, who each received CHF 25,000. The «Art Edition» sector, where international publishing houses presented prints and multiples, also attracted great interest from visitors. The «Art Film» sector at the Stadtkino Basel of the Kunsthalle Basel has in the meantime grown dear to the hearts of visitors. Another much-regarded feature was the open-air cinema outside the Stadtkino Basel, which was staged for the first time and featured films by and about artists.
For more infromation and a selection of images please go to: www.ArtBasel.com
