In Basel, Art is Unlimited

One of the sections of the Art Basel fair is called Unlimited.  The Art Basel website describes this sector as a "pioneering exhibition platform for projects that transcend the limitations of a classic art-fair stand," such as over-sized paintings and sculptures, video projections, large-scale installations, and performance pieces.  The cavernous space of Messe Basel (the new building designed by Basel-based architects Herzog and deMeuron) was filled to the brim with monumental works.

Looking skyward through the center of the Messe Basel building

Here are some of our favorites:

Amalia Pica, Strangers (2008-2011): In this performance piece, Pica brings together two people who have never met before to hold a piece of bunting for hours at a time. Used in everything from town celebrations to car dealerships, bunting acts as a kind of generic signifier for the festive.  The crux of this work lies in the dynamic between the two performers: as 'strangers' the distance between them makes it difficult to communicate. Standing in silence, they are linked nonetheless by the shared act of holding and the physical length of the bunting itself.  The huge yellow and black painting in the back is by Matt Mullican.

Meschac Gaba, Citoyen du Monde: Balloon (2013): Please note the small child on the floor is not part of the work.

Wolfgang Laib, Passageway, Inside - Downside (2011-2012):  a floor sculpture incorporating metal "boats" and rice.

Chen Zhen, Purification Room (2000): This work consists of a room of found objects covered completely in clay.  Described as "a monochrome grave and an archeology of the future," Chen presents everyday objects as they will be discovered in the future.

Eija-Liisa Ahtila (another amazing Finnish artist), Horizontal (2011): a monumental video portrait of a spruce tree. Man do those Finns love trees!

Claudio Parmiggiani, Untitled (2008): The media of this work is smoke and soot on wood. The artist developed an art-making process 40 years ago whereby he literally starts a fire in a space (his studio) containing objects laid out on shelves.  After stopping the combustion and airing out the room, he removes the objects and reveals their silhouettes.

Liu Wei, Library II-I (2012):  This installation consists of four large-scale sculptural components, depicting a dystopian metropolis of familiar yet anonymous elements: New York skyscrapers, the Pentagon, a sprawling landscape of small houses - all of which have been built and sculpted out of books.

Carl Andre, Thrones (1978): 100 blocks of wood, one placed horizontally the next vertically so they resemble the thrones alluded to in the title.

He An, Hubble (2013): I had to wear sunglasses to view this light sculpture head-on for the photo op.