Art 39 Basel - 4-8, 6, 08 [antikvár]

Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear Art Lovers, It gives us great pleasure to welcome you to our international show, Art 39 Basel, where seiected galleries from more than 30 countries will exhibit over 2000 artists, ranging from modern masterpieces to contemporary works. We invite you to explore, discover, and be inspired by the diverse program of exhibitions and events, which abound at this annual reunion of the art world. The present catalog, a survey of our show, features exemplary art of our time juxtaposed with an array of historical movements. Art Basel is a meeting place, a show, a marketplace, and much more. International galleries, artists1 projects, museums, and publishers are surrounded by curated presentations of film, artist books, public art, and performance, while discussion platforms, such as Art Basel Conversations and Art Lobby, figure as an ongoing and integrál part of each day's scheduled events. We are pleased that so many artists will attend and welcome especially those who participate in our discussion platforms alongside collectors, museum directors, art dealers, curators, and critics. Art Basel offers many contexts for producing, exhibiting, viewing, and collecting art within the unique atmosphere of a small Swiss Rhine River city that is home to such a large number of distinguished museums. This year visitors will be invited to Fernand Légér. Paris-New York at Fondation Beyeler, Andrea Zittel-Mónika Sosnowska at Schauláger, and Cha'im Soutine at Kunstmuseum Basel among others. We would like to thank everyone whose commitment and support contribute to the success of Art Basel: first and foremost, the artists, who surprise, challenge, and delight. We thank the galleries who remain committed to presenting the highest quality works as can be seen and acquired in the world. Galleries discover, promote, support, and preserve artists; galleries advise collectors and museums; galleries publish catalogs and produce platforms which altogether constitute an immeasurably significant contribution to society. Their work nurtures increasing interest in and sustainability for modern and contemporary art. We are extremely grateful to the members of the Art Basel Committee for the seriousness with which they approach the time-consuming task of making an interesting and fair selection. We would alsó like to thank the galleries and artists who may not be included this year, for all make a contribution to the art world though not all can be invited to participate in this show. We would like to express our thanks to the curators of special exhibitions and discussion forums and to all who have contributed to these programs. Our special thanks go to all whose passión, be it priváté or Professional, reinforces a continued interest in art. Only through the close cooperation of artists, galleries, museums, publishers, and academies, only with the support of public institutions and the sustained generosity of patrons, can art thrive. We would alsó like to thank our sponsors, whose support enables Art Basel to engage in non-commercial cultural activities and maintain its high standard of visitor services. Our main sponsor, UBS, a financial institution in the global vanguard of cultural promotion, has been our partner for more than 15 years. It is the support of UBS that allows us, among otherthings, to produce and distribute this lavish catalog and to stage the Art Unlimited exhibition of ambitious art projects. We are pleased to continue our association with Cartier, which has emerged as a pioneer of artistic patronage with Fondation Cartier. Generous partners such as Net Jets and Axa enable us to offer art lovers something extraordinary. Every year at Art Basel we are pleased to award the Baloise Art Prize to two young artists. Finally, I would like to thank my co-directors and the entire Art Basel staff for their patience, perseverance, and professionalism. Together, in this my first year as Artistic Director, we have produced an impressive show. Quality, respect, diversity, innovation, and partnership - these are the values that have characterized Art Basel for many years. And so shall it remain forevermore. We welcome you to create and discover, Cay Sophie Rabinowitz Artistic Director