Basel is a vibrant cultural city with several important art museums, including the Kunstmuseum Basel, one of the oldest public art museums in Europe.

Art Basel also has editions in other cities like Miami Beach and Hong Kong, but Basel is where it all started.

The 2025 edition of Art Basel in Basel is scheduled to take place from June 19 to 22, 2025, with VIP Preview Days on June 17 and 18. The fair will be held at Messe Basel, located in the heart of Basel, Switzerland.

This year’s fair will feature 291 galleries from 42 countries, marking a slight increase from the previous edition. Among the new participants are 18 first-time exhibitors from Europe, Asia, and the Americas, including notable galleries such as Arcadia Missa (London) and François Ghebaly (Los Angeles).

A new sector called Premiere will debut at Art Basel 2025. This section is dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge works created in the past five years, bridging the gap between emerging and established artists. Galleries like Edel Assanti and Kosaku Kanechika will present works that reflect contemporary themes and innovative practices.

Art Basel continues its tradition of integrating art into the urban landscape through public installations. Renowned artist Katharina Grosse will transform Messeplatz with an expansive, colorful intervention titled “CHOIR”, creating an immersive visual experience for visitors .

web site informations :  https://www.artbasel.com/basel

visitor information :

opening Hours

Unlimited Sector Opening (By invitation only)

Monday, June 16, 2025, 4pm-8pm, First Choice

Monday, June 16, 2025, 6pm-8pm, Preview

Venue

Messe Basel
Messeplatz 10 
4058 Basel
Switzerland

Our show takes place at the Swiss exhibition site Messe Basel, featuring a hall designed by international architects Herzog & de Meuron of Basel.

View the floor plan

Open in Google Maps

 Next SOLO exhibition

2025 calendar : may 15 to  july 6  ” Travel Travel ” … 

cultural programming there : 

 

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…….Nomadic Figures in Lyrical Abstraction: The Astonishing Journey of Jean de Cluni in “Travel Travel” at Heterotopia Art Gallery

Lesquerde, May 15, 2025 – The current exhibition by Jean de Cluni, entitled “Travel Travel,” presented with a rare sensitivity in the unique setting of the Heterotopia Art Gallery in Lesquerde, constitutes an artistic proposition of striking originality. According to the observations of the renowned art critic, Isabelle Moreau, the work of this artist confronts us with a poignant encounter between delicate figuration and expressive abstraction.

At the heart of canvases with fragmented architectures and vibrant colors, evolve small figures evoking silhouettes like threads from India. These characters, often stylized to the essential, seem to traverse imaginary lands, mountains with bold geometric forms, colorful expanses where reality is distorted and reinvented. There is a fascinating tension in this juxtaposition: the fragility of the human being in the face of the immensity and abstraction of the world that surrounds them.

The pictorial technique of Jean de Cluni is remarkably rich. Flat washes of vivid colors stand alongside more nuanced areas, creating dynamic contrasts that captivate the eye. One perceives an exploration of textures, a way of applying the material that gives a singular vitality to each work. The abstract landscapes are not mere backdrops; they seem to pulsate with their own energy, perhaps reflecting the emotions and states of mind of the figures that traverse them.

The integration of the exhibition within the charming environment of Heterotopia Art Gallery, with its blend of sheltered spaces and outdoor displays amidst blossoming flowers, adds a unique sensory dimension to the experience. The colors of the canvases echo those of the surrounding vegetation, creating a subtle dialogue between art and nature. Visitors can meander through this artistic haven, moving from the intimacy of the gallery spaces to the open air, their perceptions enriched by this total immersion. Isabelle Moreau emphasizes the intelligence of this spatial dialogue, where the artwork and its setting respond to each other with deliberate harmony.

The works presented in “Travel Travel” do not seek to tell a linear story. Instead, they invite contemplation, allowing one’s mind to wander through these interior landscapes populated by discreet presences. There is a meditation on movement, on the journey, on the human condition in perpetual search for meaning within a constantly changing universe. For Isabelle Moreau, “the art of Jean de Cluni situated in ‘Travel Travel’ at Heterotopia lies at the crossroads between a purified figuration and a lyrical abstraction, creating a space of reverie where the viewer is invited to project their own narrative.”

The art of Jean de Cluni is a bold and touching proposition, a successful marriage between the delicacy of the human figure and the evocative power of abstraction. The “Travel Travel” exhibition at Heterotopia Art Gallery is a true discovery, an opportunity to be carried away by a singular pictorial universe where the silence of the landscapes responds to the poetic fragility of those who traverse them. An immersive and profoundly human artistic experience awaits in Lesquerde.

Exhibition Information:

• Exhibition Title: Travel Travel
• Artist: Jean de Cluni
• Location: Heterotopia Art Gallery, Lesquerde ,France
• Dates: May 15th to July 5th, 2025
• Opening Days: Thursday to Sunday
• Opening Hours: 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00

              Isabelle Moreau, art critic,  The Art Observer Magazine, London, UK

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A new artwork project  in progress

Study in progress for the creation of a stained glass window in a church centre region for mars 2025.

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New art report by Artprice

The global market in decline: understanding the one-third decline
The year 2024 has not been easy. A complex and turbulent geopolitical and economic context has weighed on the Art Market, resulting in a reduction of activity on the premium segments in New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.

What happened to you? In an unstable climate, the wealthiest buyers have slowed down their investments, while sellers have preferred to delay, rarefying the offer of exceptional works.

As a result, the ultra-premium segment, which is the traditional engine of auctions, has slowed down significantly, accentuating the contraction in global earnings that began in 2023.

Download here : in french 

https://fr.artprice.com/artprice-reports/le-marche-de-lart-en-2024

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Death in Art

Death is largely removed from daily life, both geographically and socially.

Geographically indeed is due to cemeteries being located far from urban centers, but we can find it in UK, in the center of London and socially as death is often considered a taboo subject.

In this context, the text argues that it has become urgent to reinsert death into our collective consciousness.

The idea of dying, rather than simply disappearing, is presented as a crucial moment that proves we have existed and were once part of the living world.

 Death Evacuated from Daily Life:

The text begins with the observation that modern society has largely removed death from public view. Cemeteries are relegated to the outskirts of cities, and death is not a topic openly discussed in social interactions.

It is treated as something uncomfortable and inconvenient. In response, the text emphasizes the importance of reintegrating death into our collective understanding, making it a part of ongoing cultural discourse.

Art as a Means of Expressing Suffering and Death:

Several contemporary artists are cited who engage with death and suffering in their works.

They use materials and symbols associated with death to create art that forces the viewer to confront their own relationship with mortality.

For example, Michel Journiac is mentioned for his exploration of the body and death through art, where he used his own suffering as material for his creative expression.

By offering his body for art, he engaged in a deep confrontation with the inevitable end of life. These artists seek to challenge the taboo surrounding death and expose the emotional complexities related to separation and loss.

 Death and Eternity:

The concept of eternity is explored through artworks that deal with the memory, immortality, and the desire to preserve the memory of the dead in monuments, tombs, or statues.

For instance, Xavier Zimbardo is highlighted for his photographic works that capture tombs, mausoleums, and statues found in cemeteries.

His photographs aim not only to honor the deceased but to emphasize the distance between contemporary society and the reality of death.

His works act as a reminder that, despite all efforts to escape or ignore death, it remains an unavoidable and inescapable part of human existence.

 Beauty and Suffering Related to Death:

Another aspect of the text addresses the relationship between beauty and death.

Through depictions of “beautiful disappearances” or “weeping statues,” the artists portrayed the intersection of beauty and suffering.

These works challenge the way society values beauty in the context of grief and how death can be sublimated into something aesthetic.

The faces of the departed, or statues in cemeteries, are portrayed as beautiful remnants of lives once lived, reflecting both respect and the inevitable passage of time.

 Art as a Mediation Between the Living and the Dead:

What stands out in the text is the idea that art serves as a medium between life and death. The artist, through their work, allows society to confront death without necessarily falling into despair. Art becomes a way to process, represent, and even accept mortality.

Contemporary artists, by dealing directly with themes of death and suffering, offer a form of resistance against the silence that surrounds death in modern culture.

Artists like Damien Hirst, Kara Walker, Marina Abramović, and Jeff Koons are also involved in exploring similar themes:

• Damien Hirst is known for works like The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, where a shark is preserved in formaldehyde. This piece confronts viewers with the stark reality of death .

• Kara Walker often explores the themes of race, death, and memory, using stark, silhouetted imagery to address historical and contemporary violence.

• Marina Abramović, through her performances, frequently engages with themes of endurance, life, death, and suffering. Her performance The Artist is Present reflects the physical and emotional endurance of the artist.

• Jeff Koons, known for his shiny, polished sculptures, often merges beauty with death, as his work questions the nature of memorials and the commodification of grief.

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 A world without colors

     This small article presents a reflection on the gradual disappearance of colors from our natural and urban environments, while emphasizing the profound implications of this phenomenon for the planet and humanity.  

A small Gallic village resists with the artist Jean De Cluni at its head who puts color everywhere with a large sculpture . A little ahead of his time …

The World is Losing Its Colors: A Grayed Future

By Jean De Cluni

For the past few decades, Earth seems to be fading gradually into a veil of gray.

Scientists are now referring to this phenomenon as “the great discoloration,” an alarming trend with origins that are both biological, climatic, and even societal.

As we observe the ongoing changes to our planet, one question remains: is the world losing its colors?

An Invisible Yet Very Real Phenomenon

The first observations date back to the early 2000s, when researchers began to notice changes in the pigments of plants, oceans, and even skies.

While many animal and plant species are undergoing genetic mutations or facing extinction, a more subtle yet equally worrying side effect seems to be taking shape: the reduction of chromatic diversity in nature.

Experts are now talking about a progressive “graying” of the planet, where species that were once vibrant with bright colors are losing their pigments.

Coral reefs, once the multicolored jewels of the oceans, are bleaching.

Tropical forests, with their hues of green, yellow, and red, are turning into dull landscapes of faded greens. Even the northern lights, those mesmerizing light displays, are losing their intensity.

The Impact of Climate Change

The reasons for this transformation are multiple. Climate change, first and foremost, plays a central role in this process.

Rising sea temperatures, increased CO2 levels, and atmospheric pollution are affecting the health of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

Ocean acidification and global warming alter the chemical composition of waters, impacting the pigmentation of algae and coral.

Moreover, massive industrialization and rapid deforestation have led to the destruction of natural habitats and the extinction of certain species whose bright colors were signs of resilience or adaptation.

Ecosystems in crisis, under constant pressure, appear to be shrinking, leaving behind a much more limited palette.

A Less Stimulating World?

The loss of color isn’t just confined to nature. It’s also infiltrating our cities and way of life. Gray is becoming the norm in contemporary urban design, as buildings, streets, and even clothing are turning into muted and monotonous shades.

Society itself seems to be adopting a “colorless” lifestyle, with minimalist visuals where contrast and chromatic diversity are reduced to the bare minimum.

But beyond the aesthetic, this loss of color could have psychological repercussions on human beings. Studies show that colors have a direct impact on our emotions and well-being.

The blue of the oceans, the green of forests, or the red of flowers all have calming or energizing effects. In a world with fewer colors, one could wonder if this absence might result in apathy or even depression among individuals.

Fighting “Graying”: Possible Solutions

In the face of this concerning phenomenon, some experts and activists are calling for collective awareness.

One of the major challenges is slowing the effects of climate change, but also preserving biodiversity and threatened ecosystems. Initiatives aimed at replanting tropical forests, preserving coral reefs, and protecting wetlands are essential in reversing this trend.

Urban projects are also emerging to bring color back to our cities.

Green rooftops, walls adorned with vibrant murals, and colorful public spaces are all initiatives to restore life to our urban landscapes and make living environments more stimulating.

A World Without Colors?

In the near future, if this trend continues, the world could indeed find itself in a nearly monochromatic reality.

But rather than simply accepting this shift, it is possible to take action. Restoring colors, whether natural or human-created, could become one of the most significant challenges of this century.

Perhaps it will be humans themselves who must give Earth back its hues, by protecting what remains and cultivating a new form of “collective painting” for the future.

The world has not yet lost all its colors, but it is clear that our responsibility toward this discoloration is more important than ever.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/jan/09/the-sad-beige-aesthetic-why-has-the-world-suddenly-turned-taupe

https://www.archdaily.com/993197/is-the-world-less-colorful-highlighting-the-color-evolution-of-objects-and-spaces

https://stuyspec.com/article/fifty-shades-of-gray-the-world-is-losing-color

other sources : 

1. “Color and psychological functioning: a review of theoretical and empirical work” (Psychological Bulletin)

2. “Color vision and the brain: The role of color in object recognition” (Trends in Cognitive Sciences)

3. “The role of color in memory and cognition: A review of color priming and color affect” (Journal of Experimental Psychology)

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Abstraction in my artistic work

           Exhibition project

The name of the art gallery

    The Heterotopia Art Gallery is the perfect place to explore exciting new works of art. the idea of ​​creating a presentation space dates from 2016 with work starting in 2019.

     Afterward slowed down during the period 2020-2022 by problems due to covid, lack of materials etc…

     The entire project should be completely completed in 2024 to show exhibitions art.

     From traditional to modern, the collection is extensive and diverse as a gallery. 

     Accordingly it is dedicated to exhibiting and promoting a wide range of styles and art forms.

 Heterotopia ART GALLERY

By providing a platform to view and discuss art, Heterotopia Art Gallery encourages creative dialogue and exploration.

Through its exhibitions, conferences and workshops, it helps to foster a better appreciation of art and its role in our lives.

It’s offers you a great opportunity to explore something new and find inspiration.

Come explore this unique art gallery and discover why it’s the perfect place to unleash your creativity. 

>>>Go visit the Heterotopia Gallery project<<<

 

It is possible to come on site to visit the unique place when holidaymakers passing through the eastern pyrenses.

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   The village of Lesquerde is located a few kilometers from the Cathar castles as Quéribus, Peyrepertuse and others attractivities, as extraordinary gorges de Galamus .

 

  Exceptional local visits, hiking, passing by Lesquerde village ,for holidays : go there >>>

 

     And discover LESQUERDE, a small village in the South of France, Cathar landscape.

    Lesquerde, L’Esquèrda in Occitan, is a French commune located in the north of the Pyrénées-Orientales department, in the Occitanie region.

    Historically and culturally, the town is located in the Fenouillèdes, an elongated depression between the Corbières and the Pyrenees massifs .

It’s covering almost the entire Agly basin, river crossing this one.

    Exposed to a Mediterranean climate, it is drained by the Agly. The town has a remarkable natural heritage: a Natura 2000 site (the “Basses Corbières”) and three natural areas of ecological, fauna and flora interest.

Lesquerde is a rural commune with 139 inhabitants in 2020. It is part of the Perpignan catchment area. What a remarkable place to visit :

>>>Go visit the small village 

      The beautiful but rough landscape gave me the desire to realize a functional and aesthetic sculpture. To see the context and conditions of the project, discover below the different stages of creation.

    This is my first major sculpture ! Project bellow:

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Sculpture project in Lesquerde

Blue monumental sculpture

     A major monumental sculpture project is in progress on the artist’s land.

     Check out the concept, from the origin of the idea to the implementation phases here.  

     To discover the long project in progress: Go there >>>

THE ART MARKET 

Artmarket in the world 2024

     Last news market 2024  tendency : le Figaro >>>

     All things considered, the art market refers to the buying and selling of works of art.

    We can find paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and other forms of visual art.

    It functions as a global marketplace in which artists, collectors, galleries, dealers and auction houses participate.

    Afterwards, the art market is a complex and dynamic system influenced by various factors.

    We can noticed  economic trends, cultural changes and individual tastes. 

>>> more details  Art market and art fair 2022

  or copy the link below into your browser:

https://www.artbasel.com/about/initiatives/the-art-market

>>> News from the 2023 Art Market

     The art market has new art products such as Nft and IA . NFT (non-fungible tokens) and AI are revolutionizing art by opening up new creative and economic opportunities.

    The NFT certifies the uniqueness and ownership of digital works, fostering new models for sale and exchange.

         The AI provides tools to generate, transform or collaborate in artistic creation, pushing the limits of human imagination.

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Small artistic parody there : in french

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Upcycling

You have in your attic or your garage remains of faience, paint pots still available, wood etc… Instead of taking his remains to the scrapyard, I collect even broken tiles, the remains of paintings in the bottoms of pots, wood….

You can deposit them when you come to see my next exhibition…or by calling me.

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   Introduction to AI

citation     

“To be an artist is to believe in life.” –Henry  Moore