T-minus two weeks until I arrive in Basel, during one of the most significant periods in the art calendar. The third week of June pulses with activity as numerous art fairs converge in the Swiss city, attracting collectors, gallerists, curators, and artists from around the world. For me, this upcoming trip will be my first experience amidst the vibrant hustle and bustle of Basel’s art scene this time of year. During my time working at a commercial gallery, I learned that preparation is key before heading to the Swiss cultural capital, with sales directors meticulously selecting previews and planning dinners at esteemed venues like Les Trois Rois (making reservations months in advance, of course).

As I think about how to make the most of this visit, I recognize that my itinerary will be full with opportunities for learning, networking, and exploration. One activity I am particularly thrilled to be contributing to is the public programme curated by VOLTA. On Thursday, 19 June, I will be moderating a panel that tackles the question “Is gender equity finally becoming a reality for artists and gallerists?” I will be joined by distinguished voices including Chus Martínez, Head of the Institute of Art, Gender, and Nature at FHNW Academy of Art and Design, as well as Marie Isabelle Poiere Troyano, a Loewe Craft Prize shortlisted artist, and Kimia Nakhaei, the International Manager of Mojdeh Gallery in Iran. This conversation promises to shed light on ongoing efforts and challenges in fostering gender parity within the arts, an ongoing conversation in our sector that still needs consideration.

Before I take the stage at VOLTA, I am keen to attend another panel, one that explores the geopolitics of the art market amid shifting global power structures. Moderated by Tallulah Patricia Bär, who is a trailblazing female entrepreneur and founder of AfroSwissters, this discussion will feature panelists such as Adriano Picinati di Torcello from Deloitte’s Global Art & Finance group, and VOLTA’s artistic director, Lee Cavaliere. Their diverse perspectives will undoubtedly facilitate a compelling conversation on how cultural capital and artistic valuation are evolving in a dynamically changing geopolitical landscape. As my focus during Basel will be less on selling (which is the main activity happening in Basel in the art world during that time) and more on absorbing knowledge and seeing the art, these programmes provide an excellent platform for gaining insights into contemporary issues shaping the art world.

In addition to the panels, I plan to visit Leopold Weinberg’s boutique hotel, Volkshaus Basel, renowned for its impressive contemporary art collection. I interviewed him about his approach to art collecting in a previous Amplify article, and ever since, I’ve been eager to see the collection firsthand. For any enthusiast of contemporary art, it’s an experience not to be missed.

The city’s cultural offerings extend beyond the fairs and private collections. I have several museums and public installations on my list. Fondation Beyeler is presenting an exhibition focusing on their distinguished collection of paintings - an intriguing choice given the market’s longstanding emphasis on this medium, which continues to dominate sales. Even more exciting for me is to visit the Vitra Design Museum. In an incredibly market-focussed time in Basel, I look forward to the breath of fresh air their upcoming exhibition offers, with the concept surrounding how an 18th-century American free church inspired generations of artists, architects and designers around the world. It will be bringing together a wide range of Shaker (the 18th century religious group)-style furniture, architectural elements, tools and commercial goods, paired with newly commissioned works by contemporary artists and designers.

Also on my itinerary is the Museum Tinguely, where I look forward to immersing myself in the kinetic sculptures and installations he is well known for. As a fan of Niki de Saint Phalle, who was married to Tinguely for two decades, I look forward to seeing the ways in which their collaborative practice potentially shines through. Still on the Tinguely-train, just a short tram ride from the museum stands the Tinguely Fountain, where nine dancing, water-spouting figures animate the square where the old city theatre stage used to be, offering what I think is quite a whimsical interplay of art and public space.

Of course, my time in Basel will not be solely dedicated to art viewing (although it will be 90% of it). I am eager to explore the local cuisine if I can, and enjoy a relaxing moment along the Rhine with a glass of wine in hand! I’ve heard about the tradition of swimming in the river, especially during summer months, and I wonder if this is something I should add to my list…

All in all, this trip promises to be an even deeper immersion into contemporary art, market dynamics, and cultural exchanges. I look forward to engaging with the city’s vibrant artistic community as well as connecting with the international art world, and finding new perspectives that will inform and inspire my ongoing work in the arts.

Amplify with Alexandra Steinacker-Clark | Basel Bound: Art Fairs, Panel Talks, and (possibly) a Swim in the Rhine

Press Release | VOLTA at 20: The Fair Announces its Public Programme that Unites Basel’s Art Community with the Global Market