Photography in Basel: Neue Kunstmuseum, Art Basel, and Photo Basel

The newly inaugurated Neue Kunstmuseum Basel, designed by Christ & Gantenbein, houses the exhibition 'Sculpture on the Move 1946-2016' and surprises with its photography collection. In the lower level, Ed Ruscha's 'Twenty Six Gasoline Stations' (early 1960s) is displayed, a seminal work for art history and modern artist publishing. Numerous works by Bernd and Hilla Becher, both modern prints and vintage, create an interesting dialogue with Ruscha's pieces. At Art Basel 2016, fewer but high-quality photographs were presented, including classics from the 19th century, Cartier-Bresson, Kertész, and Brassaï. Highlights include a portrait of Georgia O'Keeffe by Alfred Stieglitz, a vintage Man Ray solarization, and a rare 1930s still life by Charles Sheeler, known for industrial and architectural images. Prices were exorbitant. Photo Basel, a small fair with about thirty stands in its second edition, was well-attended and curated. Predominantly French, German, and Belgian galleries participated; the only Italian presence was Turin-based Raffaella De Chirico, showing Dominican artist Alejandro Cartagena's work on the world's new poor. Curiosities included a show of Henry Lartigue, materials by Pierre Molinier, Boris Mikhailov, the late Malick Sidibé, Belgian Bruno V. Roels, and a solo show by Gérard Malanga. Editorial stands, notably French publisher Xavier Barral with editions on Jeff Wall, Sophie Calle, and Hiroshi Sugimoto, were also interesting.