German artist Katharina Grosse, known for her immersive spray-painted installations, will create a monumental painting titled "CHOIR" across the entire Messeplatz in Basel during Art Basel. The project, curated by Natalia Graboska, involves spray-painting the 53,800-square-foot pedestrian precinct in shades of magenta, marking the first time a painter has been commissioned to take over the entire square. In an interview with ARTnews, Grosse discusses her evolution from early experiments with spray guns in Marseille to key works like "Untitled" (1998) at Kunsthalle Bern and "The Bedroom" (2004), and her upcoming 2026 show at the Munch Museum in Oslo.
This project matters because it represents a major milestone in Grosse's four-decade career, pushing the boundaries of painting beyond traditional canvases into large-scale public space. By transforming a central urban plaza into a single immersive artwork, Grosse challenges conventional spatial rules and expands the possibilities of site-specific art. The commission also highlights Art Basel's ongoing commitment to integrating ambitious public art into its fair, reinforcing the dialogue between commercial galleries and experimental, monumental installations.