THE 10 STRONGEST PIECES FROM ART BASEL 2016

By Crash redaction

ARMELLE LETURCQ SELECTS THE 10 STRONGEST PIECES FROM ART BASEL 2016

From June 16 to 19, Art Basel celebrates the 47th edition of the international fair in Basel with an impressive list of 286 galleries showing the works of their most influential artists from the 20th and 21st centuries. As always, the selection is very international with galleries originating from 33 countries over the world, with support of legendary Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet. In the main sector of the show, called « Galleries », are presented the best art pieces, whether painting, sculpture, drawing, installation, photography or video. Exclusively for Crash, Editor-in-Chief Armelle Leturcq unveils here her selection of the ten strongest pieces from Art Basel 2016. Learn more on www.artbasel.com

Jeff Wall, Listener, 2015, Marian Goodman Gallery

Marian Goodman presents the work of pioneering Canadian artist Jeff Wall with Listener, a captivating photograph showing a man on the ground surrounded by a group of men. The scene depicts a threatening atmosphere, and Wall’s ability to capture precise moments is as sharp as ever. www.mariangoodman.com

JEFF WALL, Listener, 2015, inkjet print, © Jeff Wall, courtesy the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery

Allan McCollum, Four Perfect Vehicles, 1992, Galerie Thomas Schulte

Thomas Schulte presents legendary artist Allan McCollum with Four Perfect Vehicles. The artist has placed shapes and symbols at the center of his practice for over forty years. A symbol to identify with, the Perfect Vehicles are a timeless reflection on the idea of the collectable object. Rediscover our interview with Allan McCollum published in Crash 76 Cruel Summer, currently in newsstands. www.galeriethomasschulte.de

ALLAN MCCOLLUM, Four Perfect Vehicles, 1992, Enamel on solid-cast Hydrocal, courtesy Galerie Thomas Schulte

Cady Noland, Untitled, 1989, Luhring Augustine

Luhring Augustine presents a piece by Cady Noland, the American conceptual artist tapping into the American dream, showing its limits and reality. With this untitled piece, the random objects (beer cans, car parts) become the witnesses of our consumer society and their randomness show the artist’s pessimism towards this reality. With her sculpture work, Noland expresses the cultural downfalls of an americanized society, a compelling contemporary vision. www.luhringaugustine.com

CADY NOLAND, Untitled, 1989, Metal basket, car parts, and beer cans, courtesy Luhring Augustine

Jannis Kounellis, Black Rose, 1965-66, Almine Rech Gallery

Undisputed master of Arte Povera, Jannis Kounellis is represented by Almine Rech Gallery with Black Rose, an almost abstract canvas representing a black flower on a blank background. A piece to put in line with the famous « unique acts » – a reflection on the process of producing art – the artist has been delivering for fifty years now. The artwork is particularly exceptional since has recently resurfaced at a collector’s home after nearly forty years off the radars. www.alminerech.com

JANNIS KOUNELLIS, Black Rose, 1965-66, Ducotone on canvas, © Jannis Kounellis, courtesy of the Artist and Almine Rech Gallery, photo: Raphaël Fanelli

Adam McEwen, Holland/Lincoln 2016, The Modern Institue/Toby Webster Ltd

The Modern Institute presents the photographic work of British-born and New York-based artist Adam McEwen. The juxtaposition of two photographs taken inside tunnels creates a claustrophobic vision, reminiscent of the short films McEwen made in the past, placing the high-paced city as a prison trap. www.themoderninstitute.com

ADAM McEWEN, Holland/Lincoln 2016, Inkjet print on cellulose sponge, courtesy The Modern Institue/Toby Webster Ltd

Allen Ruppersberg, El Segundo Record Club, 2015, mfc-michele didier

The Mfc-Michele Didier gallery presents the work of Allen Ruppersberg with El Segundo Record Club, a collection of vinyls that work as an actual shop. Exploring with experimentation, Ruppersberg digitalized a series of personal vinyls and put them in mismatching sleeves, resulting in a series of unique pieces. www.micheledidier.com

ALLEN RUPPERSBERG, El Segundo Record Club, Acetate record in unique handmade 10’’ sleeve Edition of 15 Signed and numbered by the artist, courtesy mfc-michele didier

Sturtevant, Infinite Exhaustion, 2007, Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery

Thaddaeus Ropac presents Infinite Exhaustion, a juxtaposition of four repeating videos on a thirty-minute loop. Depicting the frantic race of a dog going from one screen to another, the work drags the viewer into this endless race, a possible metaphor for human condition. www.ropac.net

STURTEVANT, Infinite Exhaustion, 2007, 4 DVD 4 cam video, Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac

Elad Lassry, Untitled (Woman in dress), 2016, 303 Gallery New York

With Untitled (Woman in Dress), Elad Lassry – represented by 303 Gallery – finds a compromise between still and motion pictures and creates and enriched story from a preexisting image found in magazines and film archives. Here, the wire incorporated into the picture invites the viewer to engage with the work. www.303gallery.com

ELAD LASSRY, Untitled (Woman in Dress), 2016, Silver gelatin print, wire, plastic, walnut frame, unique, © Elad Lassry, courtesy 303 Gallery, New York

General Idea, Exit the Verb, 1975-79, Esther Schipper Galerie

The Galerie Esther Schipper presents the work of 1969-created group General Idea, Exit the Verb. Pioneers in conceptual art, the group of artist worked to subvert media culture (beauty pageant is one example), eventually creating a mythology around their work that continues to influence younger generations of artists today. www.estherschipper.com

GENERAL IDEA, Exit the Verb (From The Showcards Series (1975-1979), Department 2: The 1984 Miss General Idea Pageant), 1975 Chromogenic print, felt pen and screen print on card Chromogener Druck, Courtesy: the artist and Esther Schipper, Berlin

Jeppe Hein, This is a Magic Moment, 2016, König Galerie

König Galerie presents Jeppe Hein’s This is a Magic Moment, a square mirror on which these words are incorporated in neon lights. Hein’s approach has always been to incorporate the viewer into his works, letting him enjoy his/her own experience of them, and pushes in so doing the boundaries of conceptual art – always with a touch a humour. www.koeniggalerie.com

JEPPE HEIN, This is a Magic Moment, 2016, powder coated aluminium, neon tube, two-way mirror, powder coated steel, transformers, courtesy König Galerie