Die Art Basel in Zahlen
The article presents key facts and figures about the 2025 edition of Art Basel in Switzerland. It reports that 290 galleries from 43 countries are participating, with 21 first-time exhibitors. New initiatives include 'Basel Exclusive,' which reserves major works for the VIP opening. Notable installations include a collaboration between Daft Punk's Thomas Bangalter and artist Julian Charrière, and Theaster Gates' work 'A Libation in Uncertain Times' (2024) in the Unlimited sector. The selection committee comprises seven gallerists from around the world.
This matters because Art Basel is the leading global art fair, and its data and trends reflect the health and direction of the international art market. The 2025 Global Art Market Report, co-published with UBS, shows a 4% increase in global art sales to $59.6 billion, with Baby Boomers leading spending while Millennials and Gen Z focus on luxury goods. The fair's new 'Basel Exclusive' initiative signals a shift toward prioritizing in-person, exclusive experiences over digital previews, reinforcing the fair's role as a bellwether for market behavior and collector engagement.