POWER! solo-positions curated by Christophe Ménager

Fair dates: Tue, June 14 to Sat, June 18, 2016 – free entrance, everybody welcome!
Opening hours: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Preview: Mon, June 13, 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm only by personal invitation or vip-cards Art Basel
Public vernissage:  Mon, June 13, 3.00 to 7.00 pm – free entrance, everybody welcome!

Dreispitzhalle, Helsinki-Strasse 5, Basel/Münchenstein (Dreispitz-Areal)

For its ninth edition, the-solo-project introduces a thematic section dedicated to international contemporary art galleries who have demonstrated a commitment to support promising and emerging artists, through keen eye, savvy artistic direction and relevant programming. I have carefully selected international galleries, inviting them to suggest a project including one or two of their most representative artists, responding to the curatorial theme. « Power », is the central theme of this first proposal.

the solo project’s new section is a curated open-floor format show, encouraging to discover positions of contemporary art from across the globe. It aims to de-construct the conventional notions of art fair presentations by displaying works under one theme, providing an excellent platform for galleries and artists with particular attention given to the ones who have not previously appeared in international fairs or exhibitions.

Each artist is offered a space to confront and react to the idea of Power, analysing it from several perspectives and across different genres. POWER! solo-positions, is going to be a summary of the way in which artists see power in all of its incarnations and across the globe, offering to our visitors the result of their artistic research. I am extremely excited and looking forward to show you all what this is about. My challenge has been to select and present you with the most stimulating contemporary practices; the-solo-project allows me to do in a setting that will enhance the contemporary art fair experience, presenting all the works in a museum quality environment.

I am genuinely impressed with the breadth and variety of the projects I have received.

Come and participate to this uniquely immersive experience together with collectors, curators, and art lovers heading to Basel this week in June from all over the world.

Christophe Ménager has been appointed as premiere curator of the project section. Ménager is an independent curator based in Paris. He is also Co-founder and Executive Director of Very Art Space, a nomadic contemporary art gallery that specializes in creating artistic and curatorial projects, linking Europe and China.

EXPOSITION