We touched upon topics such as art fair conventions and contemporary approaches to them, sustainability in practice, and today’s needs of visitors and exhibitors.
Liste Art Fair Basel is known for showcasing emerging artists. How do you approach the curation of galleries and artists? What criteria do you prioritize when making selections?
Peter Bläuer, Creative Director: The selection process, as with most art fairs, is made by a jury of experts. However, our jury includes not only gallerists but also curators and artists from different countries. All of them are individuals who are deeply engaged with the latest in young art and closely monitor the development of the art scenes across their continents. In our selection, we strive to give the most interesting emerging galleries from as many countries as possible a chance to exhibit in Basel. This year, we have galleries from 35 countries. Of course, the top priority in our selection process is always the quality of the art. We owe this to our visitors.
What emerging trends in contemporary art have you observed recently, and how are they reflected in this year’s fair?
P.B.: Of course, it is important for Liste to show current trends and issues that concern a young generation of artists. For example, we see that the complex relationship between people and the environment is increasingly being addressed. This highlights the urgency of emphasizing ecological, social, and political issues. Another key topic that resonates with artists is reflection on time, memory, and transience. Visitors to Liste 2024 will also see works that explore the transience of the human experience and the inevitable confrontation with morality and loss.
How do you ensure that the fair remains engaging and relevant for both seasoned collectors and newcomers to the art world?
P.B.: Within a short space of time, Liste has become the most important fair for presenting young, new, unknown, or up-and-coming galleries to the public. There is barely a gallery that was founded after 1996 and is now one of the top ten whose career did not begin at Liste. This has been quickly recognized by the art world, and the visit has become a must for all collectors and curators. This year, we are presenting 23 galleries that are exhibiting for the first time at Liste. So watch out, experts! Among them, there will be some important future galleries!
How do you balance the introduction of innovative, experimental art with maintaining a connection to traditional art practices, and is there still a space for more traditional art practices?
P.B.: It is very important to us to show innovative, experimental art that reflects the spirit of our times. Of course, traditional art practices should also be represented. It’s not as if painting or photography, for example, are losing importance among young artists; there are also great representatives of these media that we are showing. We live in a time of great diversity. Everything is possible; everything exists, from the latest technologies to the classic traditions and techniques in art. Here, too, it is up to the jury („the power“ smile) to ensure that an exciting and broad selection of different media is represented.
Art fairs often employ distinctive booth architectures to create environments where artworks are showcased. How has the architecture of art fair booths evolved over time at Liste Art Fair Basel, and do you think the traditional designs are still effective in meeting the needs of exhibitors and visitors today?
P.B.: You will remember that the architecture of the booth in Warteck, where we were for 22 years, was very much determined by the architecture of the building. This resulted in very different rooms and booth designs that could be used for different presentations.
With the relocation to Exhibition Hall 1.1 in 2021, the former director settled on a uniform architecture in which each booth is the same as the other—a neutral rectangular booth for everyone. This gives each gallery the same conditions for their presentation. The circular shape also offers each gallery the same opportunities, so there are neither „better“ nor „worse“ bunks and spaces.
In this sense, it is very democratically fair. Every fair architecture has its advantages and disadvantages. Art-fair architecture has always been something that we have thought about and discussed a lot with architects and fair experts. So we are certain to surprise our visitors again in the future with a new and different form of fair architecture. The search for other new forms of booth presentation is certainly part of the spirit of the list.
What are some of the biggest challenges you faced over the last twenty-eight years in curating Liste Basel, and how did you overcome them to ensure a successful fair?
P.B.: The biggest and most significant challenge is to increase quality and respond to the art market. Keep your finger on the pulse! Not „missing“ anything, not „overlooking“ anything. This is, of course, a tremendous task. It is also extremely important to be in constant contact with the art world—to follow developments, recognize important issues and trends, and present them as art. Of course, in this process, international consultants, contacts, etc. provide support. Art is a dime a dozen, and finding the important grains of sand is an exciting challenge.
The history of Liste shows that we have been able to present relevant and important works over the years. That is why a visit to Liste has become a must for experts, collectors, and curators. Each year, „everyone“ comes to Liste to inform themselves and make purchases.
We are a very traditional fair. When it comes to bigger, crazier, more fashionable, etc., we don’t take part. That doesn’t mean that we are naive and don’t react to the zeitgeist. But! First and foremost, it’s about the artwork—about the new, committed gallery that believes in its artists and dares to get involved with unknown artists. That’s our mission. To support these galleries and artists and to show their work! It’s about the art—that’s it!
Since October 2023, you have been the commercial director of Liste Art Fair Basel. How has your professional experience until that day helped you in your current position working for an art fair?
Reto Nussbaum, Commercial Director: All of my past positions together brought me to Liste, I guess. As a part of the core team for the Sneakerness Fair and with the know-how of doing over 50 fairs internationally, I’m sure this helped a lot. The organizational process of a fair, regardless of its type, is very similar. You encounter the same challenges everywhere.
How do you approach securing sponsorships and partnerships for Liste 2024, and what did you look for in a potential partner while also maintaining old collaborations?
R.N: It simply has to fit and needs to be beneficial for both parties. On one side, we are very proud of long-lasting partnerships with our partners, first and foremost E. Gutzwiller & Cie, Banquiers, and Basel. Then there’s Carhartt WIP, which supports us with the by-now legendary Liste bag (with a new color every year). It’s a lot of fun to create useful gadgets in collaboration with our partners. We get amazing products from Soeder. Our gallerists sit comfortably on Vitra chairs.
On the other hand, we’re constantly on the lookout for promising future possibilities. If any interesting partners are reading this, don’t hesitate to contact me.
What initiatives have you implemented to enhance the visitor experience at Liste, and how do you measure their success?
R.N.: We’re constantly trying to improve the experience for visitors. At the same time, we’re committed to optimal positioning for the galleries. The goal is to create a democratic environment where the community can gather and exchange ideas.I don’t want to give too much away about our new ideas, but I would like to invite everyone to explore this year’s list for themselves. We are in a healthy exchange with our gallerists, visitors, and partners concerning the fair experience and possible improvements.
Next to the Liste Showtime digital edition of Liste Art Fair Basel In what ways has Liste Basel adapted to the digital transformation in the art market, and what role do online platforms play in your strategy?
R.N: It is a logical step. I guess COVID-19 just accelerated the development. We also need to grant access to visitors who are not able to enjoy the fair physically. Furthermore, I’d like to point out that we have a second online format called Liste Expedition, which functions as a research forum with an ever-growing index of artists (representing new positions selected by galleries participating in Liste). And the best part is that it’s permanent.
Since 2023, Liste Art Fair Basel has been a member of the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC), an international network of art organizations committed to reducing the industry’s environmental impact. How does Liste Basel, in practice, address sustainability, both in terms of environmental impact and fostering a sustainable art market?
R.N.: At this point, nobody can deny the impacts of climate change anymore. We see the urge to act, which we are doing by improving our ecological footprint. Our sustainability manager, Lotta, is doing an outstanding job of reaching out to all involved parties. We inform galleries about waste reduction, and more efficient shipping methods, and even produce positions locally if it makes sense. Furthermore, we’re collaborating with our local catering partners, Kundi&Gunde and Astro Fries, which both produce with regional ingredients only. Their production site in Basel near the exhibition hall ensures a short delivery route, thus keeping CO2 emissions low.
Dates: Monday, 10 June 2024–Sunday, 16 June 2024
VIP Preview: Monday, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Public opening:
Monday, 6–8 pm
Tuesday–Saturday, 12–8 pm
Sunday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Fair address:
Liste Art Fair Basel Messe Basel,
Hall 1.1 Maulbeerstrasse / corner Riehenring 113, 4058 Basel
For directions and accessibility, please check the official website of the fair.
