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By Ania Dardas

Dubbed by Vogue “the most beautiful temporary museum of the world”, the 38^th Art Basel art fair is taking place from June 13 to 17 in – where else – Basel, Switzerland.

With more than 290 galleries from Europe, America, Asia and Australia exhibiting the works of more than 2000 artists from the 20^th and 21^st century, this annual art fair will attract more than 55,000 art dealers, artists, curators, journalists and art lovers to its doors to enjoy the paintings, sculpture, installations, photographs, prints, video and multimedia on show. All the works are for sale and will command prices of between several hundred and several million Swiss francs.

Each year, the selecting jury is swamped with applications from galleries, most of which have already exhibited at Art Basel. This year more than 800 were received, from which 20 new galleries will be joining the list of notables.

As well as galleries, there are also a number of other events that showcase specific areas and types of art. Art Statements, for example, comprises 25 individual shows by young artists, while Art Unlimited focuses on unusual art projects in the form of video projections, installations, outsize sculptures, murals and performances.

Art Premiere is making its second appearance under the title of Art Dialogues and this year is showing 16 curated projects, each of which juxtaposes the work of two artists. The galleries participating are from Austria, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, the UK, Italy, Switzerland and the USA.

As usual, Art Edition gathers together the leading international publishers of editions and Art Magazines presents magazines from every continent. And, in front of the trade fair buildings on the main square, internationally known artists will stage public art projects. In addition, there are films on and by as well as conversations with artists and also a kindergarten that takes a playful approach to the question of art, leaving parents free to visit the main event.

The event kicks off with a gallery opening by invitation only on June 12 in the evening, after which Art 38 opens to the public. At the same time, for five days the entire city of Basel will be transformed into an extended stage for art and artists, both mainstream and alternative, to be enjoyed at various locations throughout the city.

A joy for all the senses, Art Basel is not to be missed.

Photos courtesy MCH Swiss Exhibition (Basel/Zurich) AG