Art Basel 2026 is underway in Basel, Switzerland, and alongside the main fair, museums and galleries across Basel, Riehen, and Weil am Rhein, Germany, are presenting ambitious exhibitions. Highlights include Pierre Huyghe's immersive solo show at Fondation Beyeler, a dual exhibition pairing Barry Flanagan and Ursula Reuter Christiansen at the newly reopened von Bartha gallery, and retrospectives of designers Verner Panton and Hella Jongerius at the Vitra Design Museum. These six exhibitions offer visitors a slower, more intimate way to engage with contemporary art and design during the fair week.
This article matters because it underscores how major art fairs like Art Basel generate a vibrant cultural ecosystem that extends far beyond the fair's own halls. The curated list of exhibitions provides essential guidance for collectors, curators, and art enthusiasts navigating the dense programming of Art Basel week, highlighting that the most rewarding experiences often occur in museums and galleries away from the main event. It also signals the growing importance of design retrospectives and interdisciplinary presentations within the contemporary art world's calendar.