This article from Monopol covers a range of art-world news in a media roundup. It reports on a tense Art Basel in Basel, where dealers note cautious buying, lower spending, and inflated prices for young artists, though top works like a Picasso for $35 million and a Willem de Kooning still sold. The new 'Basel Exclusive' format shifts sales to VIP previews, and US collectors are increasingly waiting for the Paris edition. Separately, the Africa Basel fair features Zimbabwean artist Richard Mudariki, whose 'Art World Passport' project highlights visa inequalities; he was denied a visa last year but now participates, restaging the visa process as an installation. At the Venice Biennale, Florentina Holzinger has taken over the role of toilet cleaner in the Austrian Pavilion, reversing hierarchies of service work. An interview with Gilbert & George (ages 82 and 84) and younger artist Endless discusses their artistic alliance and legacy, with the duo emphasizing their 'Living Sculpture' concept.
These stories matter because they reveal key dynamics shaping the contemporary art world: the consolidation and regionalization of the art market, with Basel facing competition from Paris and shifting collector demographics; the ongoing struggle for equitable access for artists from the Global South, as exemplified by Mudariki's visa activism; the use of performance to critique social hierarchies, as in Holzinger's Biennale piece; and the enduring influence of iconic artist duos like Gilbert & George, who continue to redefine artistic collaboration and legacy. Together, these reports offer a snapshot of how market forces, institutional politics, and artistic practice intersect globally.