Paper Positions to Launch as Art Basel Collateral Fair in Basel

Paper Positions, a German art fair dedicated to works on paper, will launch its Basel edition from June 12 to 17, 2018, as a collateral event to Art Basel (June 14–17). The fair will take place at Ackermannshof, featuring 30 galleries presenting drawings, collages, silhouettes, photographs, and artist books. Unlike traditional fairs, works will be displayed on continuous walls rather than individual stands, creating a large gallery-like environment. The limited number of exhibitors emphasizes a thematic exhibition character, and the open layout aims to facilitate direct access to works for both understanding and purchase. Fair director Kristian Jarmuschek stated, 'Paper is the perfect starting point for art collecting,' noting that the fair targets all types of collectors with a range of price points. The growth of works-on-paper fairs reflects a broader trend: Drawing Room in Madrid held its third edition in February 2018 alongside ARCO, and Artissima in Turin introduced a curated section called 'Disegni' in November 2017, led by Luís Silva and João Mourão of Kunsthalle Lissabon.