The ninth edition of the fair dedicated exclusively to photographic art, from June 11 to 16, continues to bring a new dimension to Art Basel, this year paying particular attention to works by African artists.

Since 2015, Photo Basel has been adding to Switzerland's artistic influence, operating under the auspices of Art Basel. Today, the fair, co-founded and directed by Sven Eisenhut, claims to be the first and only international art fair dedicated to photographic art in this art and design mecca. This year, 41 international galleries from 15 countries are gathered in the Volkshaus Basel complex, located near the exhibition grounds that host Art Basel. This emblematic monument, recently renovated by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, features over 450 works of photographic art by 150 artists. A major event that aims to make the medium more accessible to all.

IMAGES IN ALL THEIR FORMS

In its ninth iteration, Photo Basel ploughs its way through an abundance of approaches, revealing a rich list of photographers and sections, between novelty and renewal. Starting with "Novum", which presents previously unseen works, i.e. those created especially for the fair or recently (re)discovered. This is the first time they have been exhibited exclusively to the public and to collectors. The Prix Maurice de Mauriac returns for the 2nd year running. The Zurich watchmaking brand, sponsor of the event and passionate about photography, acquires the work of the winner and uses it as inspiration for a future collection. This year's shortlist includes American Hayley Eichenbaum, Nigerian Morgan Otagburuagu, Ukrainian Ksenia Malafeeva, German Christoph Stepan and Slovenian Tereza Kozinc. This initial list opens the field to a host of other names, illustrating the latest trends in contemporary photography. These include Denmark's Søren Solkær, who captures the great murmur of starlings, Croatia's Deni Horvatić, for a different take on portraiture, and Germany's Thomas Hoepker, who captures the complex spirit of New York. There are also magnificent works by Daniel and Geo Fuchs, Justin Dingwall, Ara Ko, Ellen Kooi, Rala Choi, Lara Micheli and Lotte Ekkel.

BEYOND PHOTOGRAPHY

Among the renewed sections, "Beyond Photography" also returns for the 2nd time. It highlights the potential of this means of expression through the use of mixed media, special printing techniques, and the transition from two- to three-dimensionality. The work of German artist Stefan F. Konrad, whose characters are immersed in metaphysical, anthropological and political worlds, is a good example. He uses the resources of Christian Schad's experimental, Surrealist-influenced Schadograph technique to transform his gouache cut-outs into images. His figures cut out of sheets of paper create simple, reduced forms that convey human situations. Like those of Henri Matisse, his photograms straddle the boundary between abstraction and representation, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. French artist Émir Shiro's work, on the other hand, encompasses photography, collage and photomontage, seamlessly integrating disparate images to create a coherent visual narrative. He does not alter the original image, preferring to seek the perfect synergy between them. His work thus spans months, even years. Photography enables him to capture his own source images, sometimes working with models to illustrate his ideas, which he then inserts into his collages.

SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICA

Another new feature of this year's edition is the spotlight on the African photography scene, which is becoming increasingly popular with cultural institutions and museums. For the first time, Photo Basel introduces three galleries in the "Spotlight Africa" section: Doyle Wham in London, InsideOut in Brussels and The Bridge Gallery in Paris. From documentary photographs of everyday life to more abstract works, the proposals offer new perspectives, reflecting the richness and diversity of the African continent and its diaspora. Cameroonian Angèle Etoundi Essamba's work focuses on deconstructing the complex cultural identities of modern African women. The digital portraits of Ghanaian Derrick Ofosu Boateng, a pioneer of mobile photography, are characterized by saturated, contrasting colors, striking poses and whimsically placed objects. South African visual artist Lee-Ann Olwage explores themes of gender and identity. According to Julie Bonzon, art historian and curator, " The photographers active on the continent today are numerous, dynamic and often introspective. They respond to and draw on their local visual repertoires, socio-political contexts and cultural heritage. "

KURT WYSS IN DIALOGUE WITH JEAN DUBUFFET

This year, Photo Basel has chosen to devote its special exhibition to Basel-based reporter and photographer Kurt Wyss (1936-), whose long-standing friendship with Jean Dubuffet (1901-1985) serves as a starting point. "Eyewitness Kurt Wyss in Dialogue with Jean Dubuffet" offers a glimpse not only of their collaboration, but also of their friendship, which began in 1970 and continued until the French painter and sculptor's death in 1985. Kurt Wyss is well known for documenting major art events, such as Art Basel from its inauguration, and for his numerous reports on art and artists such as Picasso, Warhol, Tinguely, Doisneau, Beuys and Tobey. The portraits of this eyewitness show the theoretician of Art Brut in the intimate setting of his studios on rue Vaugirard and rue Labrouste in Paris. The exhibition complements the Fondation Dubuffet's retrospective in the French capital, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

ZERO BASELINE OF PHOTOGRAPHY

American artist, photographer and director Patricia Von Ah has made a name for herself with her fashion images and portraits of Dennis Hopper, John Travolta and Yoko Ono. But she is also, and above all, the founder of Seethink Lab, dedicated to research into the impact of visual experiences. Her Zero Baseline of Photography series returns to the fundamentals of the history of photography. This interdisciplinary, collaborative research project celebrates the discipline's past and re-imagines its future, inviting us to see, reflect on and appreciate its impact on our perception of reality. It is a collection of early images that reference a singular moment in the evolution of scientific and artistic photography, in order to preserve and provide evidence of their origins and development over time. " My aim is to provide a resource that informs and invites a deeper appreciation of the transformative power of photography," she explains to Photo Basel's founder. " By connecting the past, present and future, I aspire to foster a lasting impact on the way photography is perceived and practiced for today's and tomorrow's generations. "

PHOTO BASEL 2024 VOLKSHAUS BASEL
REBGASSE 12-14, BÂLE (SWITZERLAND)
JUNE 11-16, 2024
PHOTO-BASEL.COM