Basel Museums Blockaded by Brick Walls in Protest for Social Space

Last week, two museums in Basel—the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Architecture Museum—had brick walls erected at their entrances. This initiative was led by the local group Atopie, advocating for increased space for culture, society, and alternative lifestyles. Although there was discussion about whether this protest could be classified as art, the walls were swiftly taken down without causing major issues or conflict with the institutions. This event took place just ahead of the forthcoming Art Basel fair, reminiscent of a more intense protest that occurred two years prior. In 2013, artist Tadashi Kawamata and architect Christophe Scheidegger's 'favela cafe' installation faced occupation by artist-activists, prompting Swiss police to intervene with tear gas and rubber bullets. The recent blockade, as reported by artnetnews, presents a stark contrast to the earlier violent reaction, showcasing varying methods of art-related protests in Basel.