Rosita Mariella Rosita is an art historian and researcher based in Madrid. She’s been working in the art market since 2015, for galleries and collections based in London, until she joined ARTSVP in 2021.
Do not index
Do not index
Every June, the art world meets up in a small city in northern Switzerland for what has become one of the most anticipated weeks on the calendar. Basel Art Week isn’t just about Art Basel, the fair that started it all, but about the constellation of events, exhibitions, and gatherings that is created around it.
This year felt particularly full. We visited seven different fairs: Art Basel, Liste, Unlimited, June Art Fair, Photo Basel, Basel Social Club and the debut edition of Africa Basel. We found the energy high, the programming strong, and the setting as inviting as ever.
What makes Basel different
Compared to other art weeks—think London, Paris, New York—Basel’s magic lies in its scale. The city is small, beautifully set on the Rhine, and easy to get around. You can walk or take a tram from one fair to the next, passing through quiet small streets and along riverside paths. Even at its busiest, it never feels overwhelming. The pace is calm, the distances short, and the infrastructure works really well.
This gentler tempo creates space to see more and connect better. That “soft” atmosphere is a big part of why Basel continues to stand out.
Curious Cats: a really great opening of Africa Basel
It was actually a PRE-Opening! One of the greatest launches of the week was Africa Basel, making its first appearance with striking confidence. Despite being new, the fair’s branding, tone, and programming were impressively cohesive.
The preview day, named “Curious Cats”, mixed Afrobeat music, free drinks, and a casual courtyard atmosphere that felt immediately welcoming. Guests wore small black cat brooches, a smart visual cue that quietly built buzz across town.
A wartime bunker: our favourite venue
Housed in a former wartime bunker, June Art Fair offered one of the most unique viewing experiences in Basel.
Descending into this concrete space sets a very different tone—one that strips away distraction and frames each work with intensity. It’s quiet, immersive, and just different enough to reset your fair fatigue.
And of course… the parties!
As always, the social side of art weeks is just as dynamic as the art.
One of our favourite nights was Tuesday, with the BLUM party hosted by Mendes Wood on the rooftop of L’Avventura. It had a great crowd, music, and atmosphere. Sotheby’s also put on a lovely pre-dinner cocktail earlier in the week, which was a nice chance to catch up before the evening events. Another highlight was the Vitra Design Museum Summer Party in Weil am Rhein, just outside Basel.
We also had the pleasure of hosting our own ARTSVP Breakfast Meetup on Wednesday morning at Damatti. A quiet, invite-only coffee to start the day with galleries, collectors, and friends. Definitely something we’ll be doing again at future fairs.
Beyond the fair: favourite non artsy activities
It wasn’t all art. Basel is one of the few cities where you can swim in the river between appointments..and we did!
One of the highlights was swimming in the Rhine. The water was crystal clear, and locals and visitors alike floated downstream with brightly coloured Wickelfisch dry bags.
We also hopped on the small €2 ferry that crosses the river, one of the simplest and most charming ways to see the city from the water.
A great way to start a packed day, was to grab coffee and pastries from riverside food trucks and have a quiet breakfast along the riverbank.
Between the swims, ferry rides and waterside breaks, Basel gave us more than just art—it gave us a proper breather.
Not-to-miss exhibitions
We visited Bass (2024) by Steve McQueen at Schaulager, an immersive sound and light installation made up of over a thousand LED tubes. A bold and hypnotic experience that stood out even in the midst of a packed week.
Another highlight was Julian Charrière’s exhibition at the Tinguely Museum. Set against the museum’s industrial backdrop, the show offered a quiet, atmospheric reflection on climate and landscape.
Both felt like proper detours, and absolutely worth making time for!
Basel Whatsapp Group
Our WhatsApp group became a very helpful tool during the week. Over 70 people joined, and we’ll definitely be continuing this.
There’s real value in connecting outside of booth-to-booth talk, and we want to keep that going 😊
Be sure to follow the ARTSVP channel, where each group is announced!
Written by
Rosita Mariella
Rosita is an art historian and researcher based in Madrid. She’s been working in the art market since 2015, for galleries and collections based in London, until she joined ARTSVP in 2021.
