Art Basel has always seemed like the pinnacle of art pilgrimages, and this summer I finally decided to go. After a full day of planes, trains, and shuttles, I arrived in this charming little town on the Rhine, absolutely chock-full of art. As the locals lazily floated down the river I mapped out my 3 day itinerary.
Day 1: Hit the Fair
I started with THE Art Basel then worked my way through Basel Unlimited. Very much a traditional fair, there were unexpected moments of greatness and discovery. More than 4,000 artists were represented this year, spanning any sort of art you can think of. There were several curated sectors, that felt elevated including the Basel Exclusives. which unveiled major new works seen for the first time here. In Basel Unlimited a huge hall spread out before me with monumental works and experiences that were interactive and sometimes profound. Seeing a gigantic Yayoi Kusama piece is always fun, and my personal fave was Eva Jospin’s “Panorama”.
Day 2: Satellite Art Fairs
Liste
Conveniently located next to Art Basel this unusual little fair features lots of innovative art presented in a unique floor plan. WIth great programming and interesting conversations abounding. Definitely worth checking out
VOLTA
Just around the corner is VOLTA Basel. A more intimate fair with a boutique atmosphere. This fair featured 78 galleries from 26 countries, and spotlighted emerging and mid-career contemporary artists and galleries.
Basel Social Club
An unusual and fun art trek this venue was in an office building that you can enter from the parking garage. Floors and floors of art installations and experiences unfold as you explore the facility.
Day 3: Hit the Museums
Kunstmuseum Basel
This lovely museum has something for everyone. It sprawls through 3 venues and had several notable exhibits.
Helen Frankenthaler
04-18 – 08-23, 2026 / Curated by Anita Haldemann
I was excited about the Helen Frankenthaler retrospective. I had never seen so many of her works together before! With over fifty works from six decades, the special exhibition was truly inspiring. Her soak-stain technique revolutionized abstract painting at the time and still feels fresh today.
Cao Fei Testimonies to the Near Future
05-30 – 10-11, 2026
An experiential labyrinth opens before you when you enter this exhibit. In this world Cao Fei invites viewers to consider how rapidly evolving technologies are reshaping the way we live, work, and imagine the future.
Fondation Beyeler
Pierre Huyghe
24 May – 13 September 2026
Through evolving installations that combine living organisms, artificial intelligence, sounds, and videos, Huyghe creates environments that feel less like traditional artworks and more like living ecosystems. A very inspirational exhibit that went beyond the bounds of traditional art in every way. And a fitting end to trip to Basel.
