Highlights and Acquisitions at Art Basel 2023: Insights from Collectors
Highlights and Acquisitions at Art Basel 2023: Insights from Collectors
rt Basel's 2023 edition concluded triumphantly, attracting 82,000 visitors over seven days and generating a buzz of sales and positive feedback. Alongside the main fair, a series of events and art fairs like Liste and Design Miami/Basel added to the excitement. To navigate the art-filled extravaganza, Artsy engaged five collectors who shared their reflections on the week's festivities, highlighting their favorite moments and noteworthy purchases.
Art Basel 2023: A Collector's Perspective from Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo
Renowned art collector and president of Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, proudly shared her unwavering commitment to Art Basel, having attended every edition since she embarked on her collecting journey in 1992. Year after year, the fair continues to establish itself as an unparalleled event of the highest quality, drawing collectors from around the globe.
Re Rebaudengo found this year’s edition to be exceptionally insightful and captivating, with vibrant showcases on both the ground floor, where modern and contemporary art galleries presented their immersive presentations, and the dynamic galleries located upstairs. Eager to embrace the diverse artistic offerings, she made acquisitions from both floors. Painting took center stage this year, with an abundance of noteworthy works, while the Art Basel Unlimited sector skillfully delved into the realm of time-based media, offering visitors a glimpse into captivating installations.
An ardent enthusiast of emerging artists, Re Rebaudengo found great pleasure in exploring the Statements sector, which consistently presents fresh and captivating works by talented individuals from all corners of the world. As a patron of site-specific creations, she was particularly fascinated by Parcours, a sector that scattered 24 artworks throughout the city, perfectly aligning with her passion for producing and commissioning pieces for outdoor spaces, such as the Sandretto Re Rebaudengo Art Park.
Beyond the fairgrounds, Re Rebaudengo delighted in the remarkable projects showcased at various museums. She praised Doris Salcedo’s solo exhibition at Fondation Beyeler and the mesmerizing “Dream Machines” by Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller at Museum Tinguely. Additionally, the reopening of the spaces at Fondation Laurenz Schaulager added to the overall artistic excitement in Basel. The fair truly breathes new life into the entire city, with a plethora of events and celebrations that continue to illuminate Basel, surpassing the vibrancy of the first editions.
Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo’s unwavering dedication to Art Basel reflects the fair’s ongoing significance as a premier global art event. Her enthusiastic engagement and discerning perspective contribute to the fair’s continued success, solidifying its position as an influential force in the art world.
Chris Vroom Celebrates Art Basel's Connoisseurship and Artistic Excellence
Chris Vroom, co-founder of Valence and Artadia, finds Art Basel to be a standout among the multitude of art fairs that have emerged over the past two decades. For Vroom, the fair not only showcases a high level of connoisseurship in the artworks on display but also fosters critical engagement from its audience. Balancing commercial interests with a deeper recognition of art’s significance in the world, Art Basel exudes a seriousness that continuously enriches his understanding of art.
The expansive scope of Basel, encompassing fairs, institutions, dialogues, and interactions with friends and colleagues, brings together a comprehensive range of artistic excellence. Vroom highlights his discoveries, from the captivating early Joan Mitchell picture at Pace Gallery to the emergence of new talent at the Liste Fair. The fair’s Unlimited sector left a lasting impression, with remarkable installations such as Stan Douglas’s thought-provoking piece “Evening” (1994), which reconstructed fictional newscasts in a prescient exploration of “fake news.” Notable works by artists like Mika Tajima, Christian Marclay, and Thomas Scheibitz’s monumental painting further enriched the sector’s offerings.
Doris Salcedo’s extraordinary exhibition at the Fondation Beyeler left Vroom in awe, and he praised her artist talk as one of the best he has experienced. White Cube’s presentation of a work from Salcedo’s “Tabula Rasa” series complemented the exhibition perfectly. In his quest to discover new galleries, Vroom expressed admiration for mother’s tankstation from Dublin, which showcased the wonderful paintings of Prudence Flint. Overall, the post-COVID normalization brought a renewed sense of satisfaction in reconnecting with beloved art and the people behind it, and this sentiment was palpable throughout Art Basel.
Chris Vroom’s appreciation for Art Basel lies in its ability to cultivate connoisseurship, provoke critical dialogue, and provide a platform for both established and emerging artists. The fair’s enduring importance in the art world is evident as it continues to inspire and captivate art enthusiasts like Vroom, creating a space where artistic excellence thrives.
Giovanni Scarzella Discovers Artistic Delights at Art Basel 2023
Giovanni Scarzella, co-founder of The Scarzella Collection, experienced a delightful array of surprises and confirmations during his visit to Art Basel in Basel. Among the highlights, the Fondation Beyeler presented an epic exhibition of Jean-Michel Basquiat that left Scarzella breathless, alongside a captivating solo show dedicated to Doris Salcedo.
Within the city, the Basel Social Club stood out as a truly surprising venue, with its cool industrial setting that perfectly complemented the atmosphere. Scarzella discovered some artists whose works were already present in The Scarzella Collection, including the ceramics of Daniele Milvio, the inflatables by Mandla Reuter, and a painting by Olivia Sterling.
The Liste Fair, known for its exciting conceptual cues, continued to impress Scarzella. Notable mentions include the talking sofa by Valerio Nicolai from Clima, the works by Ukrainian artist Daniil Galkin from Voloshyn Gallery, and the sculptures by Tarek Lakhrissi from Galerie Allen.
In the unmissable Unlimited section of Art Basel, Scarzella was drawn to Gerhard Richter’s splendid STRIP-TOWER (2023), an artist who continues to evoke excitement even at the age of 91.
The main fair itself, as always, showcased a stratospheric range of artworks catering to various tastes. Scarzella’s attention was captivated by a beautiful snow painting by Friedrich Kunath from Blum & Poe, a painting by Alfonso Gonzales Jr. at Jeffrey Deitch, and a delicate work by Merlin James exhibited by Sikkema Jenkins & Co. Negotiations to add these remarkable pieces to The Scarzella Collection are already underway.
Art Basel 2023 proved to be a haven for Giovanni Scarzella, as he encountered mesmerizing exhibitions, discovered new talents, and sought to expand his collection with captivating artworks. The fair’s ability to captivate collectors and ignite their passion for art remains a testament to its enduring significance in the art world.
Art Basel 2023: Evan Chow Finds Inspiration in Geographical Diversification and Emerging Talents
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- Portrait of Evan Chow. Courtesy of Evan Chow.
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- Merikokeb Berhanu, Untitled LXXIV, 2022. Courtesy of the artist and Addis Fine Art.
Evan Chow, deputy chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Centre and board member of the New Museum in New York, expressed pleasant surprise at the turnout of Art Basel this year, considering the current state of the global market and economy. He attributes this success in part to the geographical diversification of the exhibitor lineup, which brought a fresh and exciting presentation to the fair.
As a collector based in Hong Kong, Chow was delighted to encounter familiar faces from galleries and collectors across the globe at Art Basel, particularly those representing Asia. While the demand for works by established masters remains strong, Chow observed a flourishing market for emerging talents. Amidst the bustling atmosphere of the fair, he discovered artworks that provoked deep introspection and sparked contemplation of memories and emotions.
One such discovery was Ethiopian artist Merikokeb Berhanu, showcased at the Liste Fair by Addis Gallery. Berhanu’s celestial shapes and organic forms transported viewers to a realm of otherworldly transcendence. At Art Basel, British artist Sholto Blissett, represented by Peres Projects, delved into the relationship between humans and nature through his Thoreauvian paintings, prompting profound reflections.
Enthralled by the budding talents he encountered during Art Basel 2023, Chow eagerly anticipates the next edition of the fair. The convergence of diverse artistic voices, coupled with the ever-evolving market dynamics, promises an even more exciting and enriching experience in the future.
Art Basel continues to captivate collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts alike, providing a platform for global exchange and discovery. Evan Chow’s exploration of the fair reflects the dynamic nature of the art world, where both established and emerging artists find their place, sparking conversations and inspiring new perspectives.
Art Basel 2023 Showcases the Dominance of Painting, says Lawyer Liesl Fichardt
Art Basel 2023 emerged as a triumphant celebration of painting, with the medium taking center stage in various forms. From large-scale masterpieces to smaller works, figurative to abstract, the fair showcased a superb collection of paintings that captivated attendees. While some may argue it played it safe, the majority of the paintings stood out as excellent examples of art for art’s sake, without necessarily striving to make a specific statement.
Liesl Fichardt, a lawyer and art enthusiast, approached Art Basel 2023 with a strategic mindset, purchasing works before the fair commenced. Fichardt anticipated certain artists would be showcased at the fair while also seeking opportunities to place artworks with institutions or museums. One notable acquisition was Dominic Chambers’s impressive large-scale canvas titled “Sacred Reading (2023),” exhibited by Lehmann Maupin.
Fichardt’s collection reflects a balanced mix of emerging artists and more established painters. Alongside Chambers’s work, Fichardt expanded her collection to include emerging artist Ella Walker, represented by Casey Kaplan. Furthermore, Fichardt acquired pieces by established painters, such as Chantal Joffe, whose works were shown by Skarstedt and Victoria Miro and were sold prior to the fair. Fichardt emphasizes that true collectors are aware that the real fair begins when galleries release their previews, allowing them to seize desirable artworks early on.
The Statements section of Art Basel 2023 also garnered praise from Fichardt, particularly the textile works on display. One standout solo booth featured the excellent work of Bonolo Kavula, presented by SMAC.
Art Basel 2023 proved to be a haven for painting enthusiasts, attracting collectors and art aficionados from around the world. Liesl Fichardt’s thoughtful approach to acquisitions highlights the significance of the fair as a platform for discovering and acquiring exceptional artworks. With painting reigning supreme, Art Basel continues to inspire and engage art lovers, solidifying its position as a premier global art event.
