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Art of superlatives. “Art Unlimited” presents large-format works for the general public. Many works deal with questions of racism and colonialism.
What a contrast: a film shows a burning ship on the open water. Collectors are standing in front of the screen, a cup in their hands. The wall-filling video by the Algerian artist Adel Abdessemed is at the start of Art Unlimited. It’s a powerful metaphor for the plight of refugees, environmental problems, wars and other burning issues of the day.
The fact that the guests gather in front of this video is typical of Art Basel. Committed art and the profit-oriented art market have always met directly at the art fair. Art Unlimited is the place for superlative art. Here there is large format for the general public.
Relationship theater and film dismantling
This year Art Unlimited was curated for the third time by Giovanni Carmine, director of the Kunst Halle St. Gallen. The critical examination of the present will play a visible role in 2023. Many of the works shown are by artists with African roots and deal with questions of racism and colonialism.
Legend:
A total of 284 galleries from 36 countries are represented at Art Basel 2023 this year, including 21 newcomers. Lubaina Himid’s «A Fashionable Marriage» can also be seen there.
Art Basel
The range is large. Lubaina Himid questions questions of power in traditional partner relationships. The artist from Zanzibar, who lives in northern England, originally comes from the theater. You can see that in her work, which is reminiscent of a stage setting.
The American artist Adam Pendleton deals with the debates about an equestrian statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee in Virginia. His video is a kind of cinematic dismantling of Lee, with fast, aggressive cuts and loud, heavy music.
Training with ancient art?
Art Unlimited was founded in 1999 in order to be able to present large-format works of art – and to offer a further incentive for the public. However, many large formats shine above all as individual pieces. The combination with other works is difficult.
Nevertheless, there are a few successful combinations in Art Unlimited: A large silver ship by Jean-Marie Appriou in front of a replica of ruins that lie on the seabed off Haiti. This work is by Firelei Báez. The objects have little to do with each other, but go well together visually.
Nothing quite as appropriate: right next door, Augustas Serapinas has installed a fitness studio in which antique sculptures replace the weights on the dumbbells. This is probably supposed to symbolize a connection between body and mind, but it comes across as involuntarily funny.
Enlightening experiences
Venezuelan op art artist Carlos Cruz-Diez has created installations in which entire rooms are set in motion by moving strips of light. In his bunk you literally dive into another world.
Legend:
The strips of light from Carlos Cruz-Diez’ “Environnement Chromointerférent” (1974/2018) create a constantly changing sense of space.
Art Basel
When you leave this, you stand in front of the “Light Steps” by the Austrian artist Brigitte Kowanz – a staircase made of fluorescent tubes hung diagonally one behind the other. It’s very simple and that’s why it’s so good.
Another highlight is the video “Doors” by Christian Marclay. The Swiss expatriate living in the USA has fascinated viewers for years with videos for which he cut out film scenes and reassembled them. In this work it is doors that are opened and closed. Sounds simple, but it’s funny and intelligent. After all, art should also open doors to new spaces of experience.