The cutting-edge contemporary art fair, returns for the second year to Basel in a new venue, a 60,000 square foot glass pavilion situated on the Rhine, and showcasing 85 galleries from all over the world. This year' exhibitors, special events, and curatorial programs amplify the fair's signal achievement: introducing artists, curators, and cutting-edge galleries to new audiences internationally, making it the most comprehensive destination for emerging art available anywhere.
Basel – SCOPE, the cutting-edge contemporary art fair, returns for the second year to
Basel in a new venue, a 60,000 square foot glass pavilion situated on the Rhine.
Within walking distance of Art Basel 39, SCOPE will present its most international fair
yet, showcasing 85 galleries from all over the world.
SCOPE Basel 2008 exhibitors, special events, and curatorial programs amplify the
fair’s signal achievement: introducing artists, curators, and cutting-edge galleries to
new audiences internationally, making it the most comprehensive destination for
emerging art available anywhere.
With SCOPE Basel 2008, the fair solidifies its position as a leading presenter in the
global art world. Currently with fairs in New York, London, Miami, Basel, and the
Hamptons, SCOPE is expanding into Spain, China, and the United Arab Emirates,
where a cultural world’s fair of art, music, and film has been commissioned.
SCOPE’s latest achievements are complimented by long-term, world-class, exhibition
venue commitments. For SCOPE Basel 08, an undeniable tipping point has brought
Volta and Balelatina into its orbit, creating a fully-serviced “art district on the
Rhine.” SCOPE New York 2008 was held at the culturally iconic Lincoln Center and
SCOPE London has proudly made the hallowed Lord’s Cricket Ground its new home.
SCOPE is the brainchild of Alexis Hubshman, who drew upon his experience as
an artist and gallerist to start SCOPE in 2002 in a New York hotel. As the first art
fair to bring emerging galleries Peres Projects, Daniel Reich, John Connelly
Presents, Taxter & Spengemann and Marella to a wider audience, SCOPE has
given many now-prominent emerging artists like Assume Astro Vivid Focus,
Scissor Sisters and Black Label their first significant international exposure.
The fair has evolved from an industry niche to an influential global contributor, with
ongoing events, educational programs, and the SCOPE Foundation 501(c) 3.With total
sales of nearly $100 million, over 250,000 visitors, and wide media attention, SCOPE
has helped build a flourishing collector base in the contemporary art market.
At SCOPE Basel 2008, the new air-conditioned pavilion significantly upgrades the
exhibition venue, and is serviced by shuttle, water taxi, and pedicab. This year’s edition
of the fair builds on SCOPE’s tradition of one-person and thematic group shows,
and museum-quality programming to create a real-time international survey of
emerging art.
SCOPE Special Programs
Museum Presents is a non-commercial 3,500 square foot exhibition space in the SCOPE Basel 2008 pavilion focusing on emerging contemporary art market trends. SCOPE Basel is proud to present By All Means, featuring works from South Asia and its diaspora. This is the SCOPE Foundation’s first curated survey exhibition dedicated to contemporary Indian and South Asian art. The intent of this show is to explore this richly active and highly diversified field of cultural production, which has begun to be recognized as a major contribution to the international art world.
Many of the artists included have substantial exhibition records and are on the brink of larger international recognition. Works included encompass: video, photography, digital media, painting, graphic novels and other expanded media works. While these pieces consider both the history of Indian and South Asia as well as its art, not all of the artists are nationals. Included are the diaspora - those connected, if geographically displaced - in the USA, Canada, and Europe. Furthermore, artists from Pakistan and Bangladesh will provide additional levels of complexity.
Artists included (list pending finalization) Bani Abidi, Sarnath Banerjee, Rohini Devasher, Chitra Ganesh, Sunil Gupta, Yamini Nayar, Ashim Purkayastha, Kiran Subbaiah and Ashok Sukumaran. This project is curated by Thomas Erben, New York.
SCOPE is dedicated to supporting local artists in each city it exhibits. SCOPE Basel 2008 will feature the emerging Swiss curator Reto Thuring presenting four Swiss artists,Valentina Pini, Guadalupe Ruiz, Marc Elsener, and Vincent Kriste. SCOPE president Alexis Hubshman introduces Invisible Heroes, four emerging Swiss artists: Admir Jahic, Pawel Ferus, Comenius Roethlisberger and Smash137.
Press Conference
Sunday | June 1 | 12pm
Brunch followed by ArtTrain
ArtTrain
Sunday | June 1 | 3:02pm
First class
RSVP VIP: vip@scope-art.com
RSVP Press: press@scope-art.com
Sneak Preview for Art Train Guests
Sunday | June 1 | 5pm
RSVP VIP: vip@scope-art.com
Due to overwhelming response, SCOPE
hosts a sneak preview following
ArtTrain at the SCOPE Basel Pavilion,
Uferstrasse80. Rapid transport provided
from ArtTrain to SCOPE. Art Train
Sneak Preview
Monday | June 2 | 12pm-5pm
Shuttles from all fairs provided
Scope
Uferstrasse 80 - Basel
Open to the Public
Tuesday | June 3 | 1pm-8pm
Wednesday | June 4 | 10am–8pm
Thursday | June 5 | 10am–8pm
Friday | June 6 | 10am–8pm
Saturday | June 7 | 10am–8pm
Sunday | June 8 | 10am–6pm