The Art Basel Scene You Almost Missed
Art beyond Art Basel, as MOCAMAG’s Fine Art Biennale in Basel showcased global talents and contemporary works with cultural richness.
While Art Basel undoubtedly attracted collectors and connoisseurs from around the globe, it was not the sole destination for those seeking exceptional art experiences.
The MOCAMAG Contemporary Art Museum brought the Fine Art Biennale Basel to the city, transforming the Grand Salon of the distinguished Hotel Victoria into a vibrant, museum-like setting during the height of Art Basel week.
Curated by Heinz Playner, Director of the PAKS Gallery, the exhibition featured a rich and diverse selection of contemporary works.
Artists from a broad spectrum of nations, including the United States, Mexico, Ecuador, Japan, China, Austria and Germany, contributed to a truly international presentation of contemporary artistic voices.
Among the standouts was American artist Rebeccah Klodt, whose innovative use of recycled materials and paint created works that resonated deeply with visitors.
Her evolving artistic language reflects a layered exploration of emotion, time, music and nature, with an unmistakable vibrancy and depth that characterises her practice.
Large-scale pieces by Tanja Playner also captivated viewers. Her latest works reveal a fusion of classical figuration with modern sensibilities.
Rather than abstraction, her art represents a distinct personal expression, where expressive brushwork and fragmented anatomy evoke emotional resonance and invite contemplation.
The Biennale also included two compelling works by Nada Kelemenova, Beauty and the Beast and Reverie, both of which drew considerable attention.
MOCAMAG will continue to spotlight her artistic journey with an exhibition at its Villa am Kaiserweg venue in Austria in September 2025.
Swiss-based American artist Sandy Iseli brought a refreshing interpretation of nature to the exhibition.
Her acrylic paintings, blending cubist structure with radiant colour, convey her deep reverence for the natural world and her desire to express its beauty through dynamic composition.
A luminous glass installation by Israeli artist Fanny Finchelman further enriched the show. Her delicate handling of light, colour and fine detail created a mesmerising effect that lingered with viewers.
Indian artist Duhita Thimaiah’s Blue Sari offered a poignant commentary on the evolving textile traditions of India. Through this work, she bridged cultural heritage and modern insight, drawing attention to broader transformations in society.
In the digital segment of the Biennale, works by Chinese artist Yu Qian stood out for their evocative interpretation of sound and rhythm.
Pieces such as The Dance of Fire 00 and Living Beings demonstrated her ongoing engagement with the abstract and the sensory, translating auditory experience into visual poetry.
Other artists featured in this prestigious exhibition included Tamara Sweere, Saika Miki, Gala Moskvitina, Karissa Narukami, Martha Cotes, Nasim, Alex Klas, Paul Art Lee, Young-Sik Lee, Julian Press and many others, each contributing a distinctive voice to the collective artistic dialogue.
Looking ahead, the MOCAMAG Contemporary Art Museum will host an exclusive exhibition in Austria during August and September 2025.
The show will include works by Tanja Playner, Rebeccah Klodt, and Nada Kelemenova, presented alongside masterpieces by Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso and Françoise Gilot; an inspiring encounter between established icons and leading contemporary talents.
