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By Ania Dardas

With its worldwide reputation, Art Basel is an event that offers something not only for art critics, dealers, artists and curators, but also for art enthusiasts who come with an open mind and a desire have their eyes opened to new, beautiful, inspiring and often startling ideas.

Olafur Eliasson, One-way colour tunnel, 2007, 256x180x1050cm (Courtesy Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York)

This is the 39^th edition of Art Basel, which it is commonly accepted to be the world’s premier international art show for modern and contemporary art, with nearly 300 galleries exhibiting from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa.

Kiyoji Otsuji, Two mineral specimens – always on the desk, 1974, 35.6x43.2cm (Courtesy Taka Ishii Gallery, Tokyo)

The exhibition is divided into various sections that make this vast offering easier to navigate. Art Galleries in Hall 2 will allow visitors to discover paintings, drawings, sculpture, installations, prints, photography, video and digital art by more than 2,000 artists. Art Edition showcases the works of artists in the form of editioned works, while Art Premiere is highlighting the work of 32 artists in 16 projects where the work of two artists, often of different generations, is juxtaposed. For pioneering and experimental work, Art Unlimited will show you video projections, large-scale installations, massive sculptures and live performances, among others.

Ugo Rondinone, Moonrise, east, 2005 (Courtesy Galerie Eva Presenhuber, Zürich, Matthew Marks Gallery, New York)

In addition there are Artist Books, Art on Stage, Art Film and Art Magazines. Hall 1 also offers Art Basel Conversations, where leading personalities from the world of art talk about what they have seen and what they are currently doing. It is an opportunity to get an insider view of the art world. Art Basel Conversations is complemented by Art Lobby, a dense program of talks, panels, book signing and other events.

Takashi Murakami, Oval Buddha, 2007 (Courtesy Blum & Poe, Los Angeles)

And, if all the above is too much or isn’t quite enough, make your way to Messeplatz and take a look at the projects by international artists that can be seen day and night in front of the exhibition buildings!