The world of industry and art have collaborated in the construction of various international events, demonstrating how the synergy between two seemingly distant worlds, that of culture and that of enterprise, can be an inexhaustible source of inspiration for innovative projects and events.
The partnership between Art Basel and UBS is one of the most well-known and long-lasting corporate partnerships in the art world, reaching its thirtieth year. Symbolizing an ever-dynamic attitude and a desire to progress together, the partnership with UBS began in 1994 from the need to unite the global arts ecosystem by connecting with the city and the main international players in the market and exhibition scene.
UBS and Art Basel have profoundly influenced numerous reflections in the contemporary art world, promoting innovative insights and exploring the art market, collectors, galleries, and the world of art professionals to maintain direct contact with current trends. Their common project is a masterful example that will leave behind a unique and unparalleled legacy “that has empowered artists and connected and inspired the public worldwide for thirty years and beyond” (Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel).
The history of the collaboration
In 1994, Pipilotti Rist and Enrique Fontanilles received the first Video Art Prize, established by the Swiss Bank Corporation, the main sponsor of Art Basel, which later merged with the Union Bank of Switzerland to form UBS. This event marked the beginning of a lasting relationship between the world's most important art fair and the financial institution. A rapidly growing relationship that led to the creation of Unlimited, a pioneering exhibition platform launched by Art Basel for projects that go beyond the classic art fair booth format, collecting titanic and absolutely out-of-scale installations for 90% of existing exhibition spaces.
In recent years, Art Basel's expansion has reached three different continents, expanding into four shows from Switzerland to Miami and then to Hong Kong. This uncontrolled expansion has made UBS the current Global Lead Partner of Art Basel, actively participating in art market research through the creation of the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report and the Survey of Global Collecting, curated by cultural economist Dr. Clare McAndrew.
Christl Novakovic, Head of Wealth Management EMEA and President of the UBS Art Board, reminds us of the importance of this event: “2024 marks a special year for us, as we celebrate the incredible milestone of 30 years as Lead Partner of Art Basel in Basel. We are proud to have cultivated such a long-standing collaboration that continues to flourish and create impact today, pushing our collective craft forward”.
To celebrate this milestone, the event has chosen to rely on Petrit Halilaj, who will work on the façade of the former Hotel Merian, creating the artwork When the sun goes away we paint the sky. The title alludes to the exhibit nature of the work, which will be visible both day and night through a specially designed lighting system. Halilaj's work is a dancing constellation capable of transforming symbols of historical decay into bright and poetic cries of confidence for the future, which is not intended to be a point of arrival but rather a motor capable of nurturing new narratives and horizons.
The work, previously installed at the Grand Hotel Prishtina for Manifesta 14, will be available throughout the fair days as a physical embodiment of hope for a future open to dialogue and the continuous change necessary to stimulate thought and creativity
Curated by,
Francesca Calzà
Comments