Every June, Basel hosts Europe's most important contemporary art gathering of the year. Amongst the main art events and exhibitions around the city, there is the granddaddy of art fairs — Art Basel. Two smaller fairs that cater mainly to younger dealers showing young, emerging artists are Liste and Volta 02.

Basel is the second largest city of Switzerland. Many may know Basel as a multinational pharmaceutical center, but it is an interesting arty city, divided by the river Rhine and steeped in history. Its rich past is endowed with some of the greatest minds of European history, including Erasmus, Ulrich Zwingli and later Friedrich Nietzsche and Hermann Hesse.

Basel's long-standing patronage of the arts has resulted in a panoply of first-rate museums and galleries, as is its historic center. The right bank (better known as Kleinbasel) is its more modern side. On the left bank (Grossbasel), one can trace the history of Basel in the old town that is best known for the Münster Cathedral where the bones of the reformist Erasmus are buried.

Basel’s sights can be easily explored on foot — particularly the old marketplace and the cathedral. The hilly surroundings of the city offer some excellent views and walks. And don’t miss your chance to stand on the three countries corner (Switzerland, France and Germany). A good day-trip is a visit to Kaiseraugst, just a few kilometers from Basel. There, you can visit the remnants of the oldest roman city on the Rhine.

The city's extensive visual art options are further enhanced when art dealers from around the world converge on the city for one of the many international art shows that L.A. hosts each year.

Art Basel

Art 37 Basel, the world's premier modern and contemporary art fair, takes place from June 14 to 18, 2006. This international art show features approximately 300 leading art galleries from 30 countries, representing all seven continents. Twentieth- and 21st-century art works by more than 2000 artists will be on display, and more than 55,000 art collectors, art dealers, artists, curators and art lovers are expected to attend what the New York Times refers to as the “Olympics of the Art World.”

On view will be paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photographs and limited editions, as well as video and digital art, representing the full spectrum of modern and contemporary art — from the great masters of modern art to the latest generation of artists.

www.art.ch

LISTE, “The “Young Art Fair,” will take place June 13 to 18. Every year since its opening in 1996, the LISTE has presented new and important galleries and highly contemporary art created by younger artists. The LISTE's concept is to introduce galleries no more than five years old as well as artists under the age of 40, in an effort to promote art that is new and experimental.

www.liste.ch

VOLTAshow 02

VOLTAshow is a platform for presenting the vision of contemporary art galleries of global repute whose artists represent new and relevant positions for curators and collectors alike. Conceived to bridge a gap between Basel's pre-existing fairs, VOLTAshow features mature galleries that have chosen as their mandate to work with the most exciting emerging artists.

VOLTAshow01 premiered last year, parallel to Art Basel, and attracted more than 10,000 visitors. VOLTAshow02, from June 14 to 18, will move to a larger location to accommodate almost twice the number of exhibiting international galleries as well as a project section dedicated to emerging artist solo presentations.

www.voltashow.com

Artful Dining
Restaurant Basilisk

For a taste of traditional Basel regional cuisine, visit Restaurant Basilisk and enjoy a meal on its lovely terrace in front of the Hotel Basilisk. The menu showcases a variety of international offerings from the neighboring regions in Germany and France

Restaurant Basilisk
Klingentalstr.1
4057 Basel
Telephone: (41-61) 681-1810
Fax: (41-61) 681-1889

A Room with a View
Les Trois Rois (Hotel Three Kings)

This is one of the most luxurious and esteemed hotels in Basel. The original hotel opened in 1026, making it one of the oldest hotels in Europe. Les Trois Rois offers 101 superior rooms and suites, three restaurants (including a French gourmet restaurant and a brasserie), a bar, and the splendid Salle Belle Époque. In a unique location, on the banks of the Rhine, the hotel offers marvelous views from its famous terrace.

Hôtel Les Trois Rois
Blumenrain 8
4001 Basel
Telephone: (41-61) 260-5050
Fax: (41-61) 260-5130

www.lestroisrois.com/

Week of May 8, 2006

In This Issue:

Focus on Basel

Artful Dining

A Room with a View