Climate change, migration, artificial intelligence, perspectives on Africa and combating nationalism take centre-stage this year at Art Basel, the world’s top contemporary art fair.
The giant annual event in the Swiss border city of Basel, which aims to reflect current trends in the contemporary world, begins with private viewings for wealthy collectors before opening its doors to the public from Thursday to Sunday.
In the monumental works section, a video by the French-Algerian artist Adel Abdessemed shows an approaching burning boat, intended as an allegory of the tragedy awaiting many migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
Close by, Ghanaian artist Serge Attukwei Clottey illustrates the water shortage crisis through a huge installation entitled “Sea Never Dries”.
The giant tapestry is made up of fragments of the yellow cooking oil containers found throughout Ghana, which are then reused to collect water.
“Artists are the thermometer of what’s happening in the world,” said Giovanni Carmine, one of the Art Basel curators, told AFP. The monumental works offer “a mirror on the interests of artists and of the art market”, he added.
