VOLTA Opening Day, June 8th 2009

Please go to Press Section for more pictures (also downloadable). All photos courtesy of Nicholas Winter Photography 















VOLTA, the cutting-edge art fair, moved to a stunning new location for its fifth edition in Basel from June 8th-13th, 2009. The Markthalle, one of Europe’s largest cupola structures, is located steps away from the main railway station (SBB) and five short tram stops away from the Messe.

 

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VOLTA5 took up residence during Basel’s Art Week in the historic Markthalle. Completed in 1929, the prominent dome is one of the highlights of the city skyline, welcoming all Basel visitors arriving at the central railway station or from the airport by direct bus.  With a usable surface of 2,600 sq. meters, the Martkhalle sets a new standard for VOLTA5, which moved from its former home in the industrial harbor area to the very heart of the city, taking the organization up to a new level of professionalism.

 

VOLTA is a platform for presenting the vision of contemporary art galleries of global repute whose artists represent new and relevant positions for curators and collectors alike. Conceived to bridge a gap between Basel's pre-existing fairs, VOLTA showcases galleries -- whether young or mature -- that choose as their mandate to work with the most exciting emerging artists. The galleries are selected by an annually changing group of Curators to give each edition its own clear identity and to redirect focus back on the art producers as well as their representing galleries.


VOLTA’s distinctive mark has always been an open and fresh view toward the fair’s architecture and now this will be underscored in its landmark setting. The new situation is not only an improvement in form and geographical location, but also presents new possibilities in moving from the restricted harbor hall.

 

The 2009 Curatorial Board—composed of Adam Budak, Curator of Kunsthaus Graz and co-curator of Manifesta 7; Christoph Doswald, Art Critic and Curator, Zurich; Tom Morton, Curator, The Hayward, London and co-curator 2008 Busan Biennale; Jasper Sharp, curator and writer, Vienna; and Stephanie Smith, Curator at Smart Museum of Art, Chicago—selected galleries from over 350 applications.

 

 

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PICTURES OF MARKTHALLE


VOLTA5
Monday, June 8th – Saturday 13th, 2009
Markthalle - Viaduktstrasse 10 - 4054 Basel, Switzerland

Preview: Monday June 8th 12 – 4 p.m. (by invitation only)
General Opening: Monday June 8th 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Daily: June 9th - June 13th; 12 – 8 p.m.

Special Early Opening on Wednesday, June 10th, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.