Art Basel closes with strong sales
The 45th edition of Art Basel in Basel closed on Sunday, June 22, 2014, with galleries reporting exceptionally strong sales throughout the week and across all levels of the market, as Art Basel once again confirmed its position as one of the most important annual art events, and as the central meeting point for the international art world.
Art Basel, whose Lead Partner is UBS, presented 285 galleries from 34 countries across the six sectors of the show, exhibiting the work of over 4,000 artists. A total of 24 galleries showed in Basel for the first time, coming from Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The show attracted a record attendance of 92,000 over the six show days – 6,000 more than last year. Alongside major private collectors from Europe, North and South America, and Asia, representatives and groups from over 70 museums from across the world attended the show.
This year’s edition saw significant changes to the urbanism of the show, redefining the visitors’ experience: The only artworks displayed in Hall 1 were the 78 artworks making up the Unlimited sector, as Statements returned to Hall 2 after nine years in Hall 1, giving the younger generation of artists and galleries a more prominent placement.
The Edition sector of the fair moved downstairs, creating a uniform layout on both floors. The auditorium and Magazine sector were moved within Hall 1, making this area accessible not only to ticket holders but also to the public.
Therefore, for the first time, the entire Basel talks program of over 30 panels was free and open to the public. A total of over 2,400 people attended this year’s talks program.
‘After our first year as Lead Partner of Art Basel in Hong Kong, and on the heels of our 21st year here in Basel, we are reminded of what makes UBS’s relationship with Art Basel such a very special one,’ stated Jürg Zeltner, CEO UBS Wealth Management.
‘Collecting is at the heart of our longstanding, global support of contemporary art, and, as Art Basel has grown, so has our commitment to the organization, making the partnership an ideal fit as it reflects the firm’s and our clients’ interests in the dynamic and ever-expanding art world.”
Art Basel outside view