On the occasion of Art Basel 2024, Forbes invites you to discover some of the most striking works presented this year.
Article by Nel-Olivia Waga for Forbes US – translated by Flora Lucas
The Unlimited exhibition at Art Basel is dedicated to large-scale projects, offering exhibitors the opportunity to present monumental installations, colossal sculptures, gigantic murals, complete photo collections or even large video projections. Curated by Giovanni Carmine, director of Kunst Halle Sankt Gallen, for the fourth time, Unlimited pushes the boundaries of artistic expression and spectator engagement. This year, visitors will be able to enjoy Unlimited Night on Thursday, June 13, with special performances. For the first time, visitors can vote for their favorite artwork throughout Art Basel, with Unlimited’s People’s Choice announced at the end of the exhibition week.
Here are some of the most striking works from this extraordinary show.
Chiharu Shiota, The Extended Line2023-2024, Templon Gallery
The Extended Line by Chiharu Shiota is a profound exploration of the human experience through art. Inspired by her journey as a cancer survivor, Chiharu Shiota creates an immersive environment that resonates with the universal themes of life, death and connection. The 16 × 9 meter installation features hundreds of kilometers of red ropes suspended above open hands, from which red papers appear to fly. This powerful work invites viewers to contemplate their own experiences and emotions, highlighting the shared joys and sufferings of humanity. Chiharu Shiota, known for her haunting installations, continues to explore presence in absence, making her work deeply impactful and thought-provoking.
Julio Le Parc, Zepelin of Acero2021, Galleria Continua
THE Zepelin of Acero by Julio Le Parc reinterprets his iconic explorations of light boxes in a monumental steel installation. Presented for the first time at the Hermès Foundation in Tokyo in 2021, this work challenges perceptions of movement, instability and diverse experiences within a single encounter. Julio Le Parc, a pioneer of kinetic and contemporary art, seeks to actively engage viewers, encouraging them to question the traditional roles of artist and observer. His work, anchored in the influential Visual Art Research Group (GRAV) collective, continues to push boundaries and invite active participation, making his Zepelin of Acero a dynamic work at Unlimited 2024.
Yayoi Kusama, Aspiring to Pumpkin’s Love, the Love in My Heart2023, David Zwirner Gallery
The work Aspiring to Pumpkin’s Love, the Love in My Heart by Yayoi Kusama is a striking example of her signature style, featuring a monumental bronze pumpkin decorated with her famous dots. This work, part of the 2023 series, transforms the pumpkin into an undulating, almost surreal shape. Bridging the microscopic and macroscopic, Yayoi Kusama’s work invites viewers to engage with sculpture from multiple angles, revealing a dynamic interplay between space and form. A central figure in pop art and minimalism, Yayoi Kusama continues her exploration of organic shapes and patterns, providing a deeply immersive and visually captivating experience.
Keith Haring, Untitled (FDR NY) #5-221984, Martos Gallery, Gladstone Gallery
The work Untitled (FDR NY) #5-22 by Keith Haring brings together 18 panels of his iconic frieze originally created along the Franklin D. Roosevelt East River Drive in New York in 1984. This exuberant mural was a vibrant expression of Keith Haring’s graffiti-inspired art. After its initial exhibition, the panels were dispersed, and this exhibition marks the first time such a large section has been brought together. The work of Keith Haring, known for his energetic and spontaneous style, remains relevant and powerful, reflecting his unique visual language and impact on contemporary art. Art Basel 2024 offers a rare opportunity to experience the dynamic public art of Keith Haring in a new context.
Sam Falls, Spring to Fall2023, Galleria Franco Noero, 303 Gallery, Galerie Eva Presenhuber
Spring to Fall of Sam Falls is a vast installation that captures the fleeting beauty of nature throughout the seasons. Using natural materials and processes, Sam Falls creates a series of works that document the passage of time and the subtle changes in color and texture that accompany it. This installation invites viewers to reflect on cycles of growth and decay, highlighting the ephemeral nature of life and art. Sam Falls’ work bridges the natural world and artistic expression, creating a meditative space that encourages contemplation and appreciation of the fleeting moments that make up our existence.
Jenny Holzer, Survival1989, Hauser & Wirth
Series Survival by Jenny Holzer, first exhibited at the Guggenheim Museum in 1989, remains a poignant and powerful testimony to contemporary existence. Made up of 17 granite benches engraved with affirmative and often contentious sentences, this installation confronts the viewer with the harsh realities of survival in modern society. Jenny Holzer’s use of text in public spaces, whether electronic signs or engraved stones, engages the audience in dialogue about social and political issues. This installation, arranged in a precise circumference, not only pays homage to its original presentation, but also invites viewers to reflect on the enduring relevance of Jenny Holzer’s incisive and thought-provoking messages.
Maria Hassabi, Mirrors2024, The Breeder Gallery
Mirrors by Maria Hassabi is an immersive performative installation that explores the interaction between reality and perception. Building on his previous work, I’ll Be Your Mirror, this installation presents nine photographs framed by golden acrylic mirrors. Distorted reflections capture the dancers’ fluid movements, abstracting the human form and commenting on the pervasive influence of media in shaping our perceptions. Maria Hassabi’s work encourages viewers to confront their own reflections and to think about the manipulation of images in contemporary culture. By merging photography and performance, Mirrors creates a dynamic, thoughtful space that engages viewers in a continuous loop of observation and introspection.
These landmark works from Art Basel’s Unlimited 2024 highlight the diversity and innovation that define this sector, offering a glimpse into the monumental and thought-provoking works that push the boundaries of contemporary art.
To find photos of the works, go here.
Also read: Le Silencio: the Parisian club where art and music mix
