The Beyeler Foundation
Basquiat: The Modena Paintings
We were delighted to once again visit the Fondation Beyeler, this time while they presented three captivating exhibitions. The first featured eight remarkable large-scale works by the American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. Painted in 1982 in Modena, Italy, these masterpieces were intended for an exhibition that never came to fruition. Now, after more than 40 years, the Fondation Beyeler has reunited these celebrated works, which are currently held in private collections scattered across the United States, Asia, and Switzerland.
Jean-Michel Basquiat, recognized as one of the most significant artists of the late 20th century, rose to international fame in the early 1980s. Known for his highly expressive paintings bursting with energy, Basquiat's art has since received widespread admiration. This exhibition focuses on the "Modena Paintings," showcasing the artist's unique blend of vibrant colors, pop culture motifs, and socio-political commentary.
The paintings on display diverge from Basquiat's earlier street-inspired depictions, focusing on expansive portrayals of the human and animal body. The exhibition offers a glimpse into Basquiat's artistic evolution, showcasing his shift towards a figurative and expressive formal idiom.
It was truly a unique opportunity to witness these exceptional works together for the first time. With their rich cultural references, striking colors, and profound social message, Basquiat's paintings continue to resonate and captivate us as audience members, reinforcing his legacy and influence even today.
Images via Artsy
Doris Salcedo
In a contrast of color but not of theme, the Beyeler presented to us Switzerland’s first comprehensive solo exhibition of Colombian artist Doris Salcedo. Her exhibition showcases eight major series of works from different periods of her career, totalling around 100 individual pieces. Salcedo's art addresses the experiences and consequences of violent conflicts worldwide, with works that have universal significance beyond specific events.
Salcedo's installations, sculptures, and site-specific interventions often explore themes of loss, individual suffering, and collective grief. The exhibition features significant loans from international institutions and rarely exhibited works from private collections.
"Atrabiliarios" (1992-2004), here left, preserves the memory of disappeared women using worn shoes encased in cow bladder. The artist’s work require meticulous planning and research, and she uses materials and expressions that indirectly visualize terror, beauty, and poetics.
Doris Salcedo's art ultimately aims to bridge the gap between human suffering and hope, addressing themes of war, alienation, disorientation, and displacement. Her work has gained international recognition through exhibitions and installations worldwide, showcasing her powerful exploration of these profound human experiences
Installation view “Doris Salcedo” at the Fondation Beyeler, Riehen/Basel, 2023 © Doris Salcedo. Photo: Mark Niedermann
The Mind’s Eye: Images of Nature from Claude Monet to Otobong Nkanga
The exhibition showcases artists' engagement with nature, from Impressionism to the present day. Bringing together over 40 works, it highlights these artists' ability to conjure up vivid images and explores the evolving perceptions of nature over the past century, contrasting Monet's idyllic depictions with the present-day awareness of nature's vulnerability.
The Mind’s Eye features works that capture the complex and multifaceted relationship between humanity and nature. Notable pieces include Otobong Nkanga's monumental tapestries from the "Unearthed" series, which address the dependence of land on water and the threats posed by mankind. The contemporary view of nature is portrayed as intricate and thought-provoking, blending memory, longing, imagination, and curiosity.
This exhibition ultimately invites us as visitors to contemplate and appreciate the profound beauty of nature while considering the complex relationship between humanity and the environment.
Installation view “THE MIND’S EYE. Images of Nature from Claude Monet to Otobong Nkanga” at the Fondation Beyeler, Riehen/Basel, 2023 © the artists. Photo: Mark Niedermann