Art Basel 2025: Market Resilience Amid Global Crisis, Top Shows and Flops

Art Basel 2025 opened amid Israeli military operations in Iran, later joined by the US, yet the fair demonstrated market resilience with high-quality presentations. The Italian government announced a VAT revision on art works during the fair, boosting competitiveness. Top highlights included Medardo Rosso at Kunsthalle Basel and Steve McQueen at Schaulager. The photography fair at Volkshaus showed improvement but needs a larger venue. Basel's mobility was praised for walkability and bike-friendliness. Flops included Volta, which celebrated 20 years but suffered from location changes and low-quality galleries. Basel Social Club moved to a historic bank building, losing its innovative edge. Design Miami's absence was felt; MAZE organized a small design fair in a deconsecrated neo-Gothic church with limited success. Liste celebrated 30 years with high-quality proposals but a standardized layout diminished its charm; a new circular arrangement failed to revive its atmosphere.