Buenos Aires to host public art programme for Art Basel Cities

Buenos Aires is the first city to be chosen for the Art Basel Cities initiative, with highlights that includes a city-wide week of public art programming next September.

Art Basel Cities, an initiative by the organisers of the long-running Art Basel art fair, is aimed at highlighting and supporting the cities’ local art scenes. Buenos Aires was announced as the first partner city a year ago, and this week, key plans were revealed for the long-term collaboration.

Cecilia Alemani, director of the public art program for New York’s High Line, has been named Artistic Director of the Buenos Aires initiative and will direct a public art programme that will take place throughout the city from September 11 to 16, 2018.

To celebrate the launch of Art Basel Cities: Buenos Aires, a new venue called Art Basel Cities House will be set up in Buenos Aires from November 2 to 5. It will host events and workshops, and launch a series of talks set to run throughout the year.

Much of the work of Art Basel Cities will go on behind the scenes. The Art Basel Cities Exchange, in particular, will include a number of initiatives supporting artistic projects design and collaborations need to strengthen the local art world.

A digital platform called Project Bureau will be set up to help realise large-scale projects in the city, with arts professionals being invited to apply with ideas. Art Basel’s Crowdfunding platform will likewise be used to help realise projects including exhibitions, public installations, education programs, residencies, talks and archives.