Scope Basel: Clockwork Sales Abound in the Epicenter of a Stunning Swiss Soccer Stadium

Scope Basel

Displaying a metronomic regularity that can only be charactes Swiss, the third edition of Scope Basel witnessed a steady stream of acquisitions rized aby fair’s end. From Vernissage to closing party, most of the 110 exhibitors reported constant sales. The economy proved to be top of mind for all that participated, but the upbeat tone and proactive content of nearly every conversation surprised many. Collectors, advisers, consultants, and museum acquisition committees came to buy not browse, checking their recession fears at the door.

Martin Rogge, of Flatland Gallery, concurred. “The location was very close to Art Basel and that was a huge advantage. It attracted a lot more collectors and important contacts. We had about the same interest as last year but of much better quality.” Primo Marella whose two eponymous galleries in Milan and Beijing have been a staple of SCOPE in recent years, echoed those sentiments and then some, “We’ve been working with Chinese and Indian artists from all over South East Asia. And while these artists receive enormous attention in their own markets, it was essential to have a platform like Scope to introduce them to a wider audience. Opening night on Tuesday was outstanding, the VIP program was top notch, and it was never too crowded to meet the right kind of people that Scope always attracts. One artist in particular, Reina Saini Kallat, was phenomenally successful, and we sold many works in the $10 - $40,000 euro range.”

While doubtless it was the high caliber of booth programming that had Beth Rudin DeWoody, Susan and Michael Hort and Pamela Auchincloss of the Artist Pension Trust flocking to the site, it was the presence of Art Asia, Art From Berlin, and the independently curated projects funded by the Scope Foundation 501 (c) (3), that kept them riveted to the spot. New York artist Reed Barrow’s poetically ephemeral You and I Will Be together In The End featured two smoke rings shot out of computer sequenced cloud chambers placed 50 feet apart. Co-Sponsored by Tommy Hilfiger, Barrow’s colliding smoke rings drew crowds of entranced viewers. Independent curator David Hunt brought collaborative duo Davis/Langlois from Chicago who did a test run for their MCA Chicago solo in September with a floor to ceiling mural of Farsi script with gold leaf called “How Can you Buy or Sell the Sky”.

Alexis Hubshman, Founder of Scope and Co-Founder of Art Asia, discussed the future, “Scope will be 100% concentrated on Scope Miami this December and we are already in the process of securing a prestigious curatorial team from the ranks of national museums. In Miami we plan to fully integrate them into the decision making – most importantly, the vetting process. Jeff Lawson, Vice President of Scope and Co-Founder of Art Asia, underlined, “The overwhelming success of Art Asia and Art From Berlin proves that if you allocate a large portion of the venue’s space to a single geographic region, and then turn a spotlight on that area through pin-pointed marketing, collectors get a ‘totalizing vision’ of the newest trends that better allows them to confidently make an informed decision.”

Scope will return to Miami for its 8th edition with sister fair Art Asia. Due to the overwhelming response from its previous year, Scope Art Show will feature a highly selective group of international galleries and artists as well as a section specifically for solo exhibitions. The fair will be held from December 2-6, 2009, coinciding with Art Basel Miami dates, in the Wynwood Art District, Miami.

For more information or to apply for Scope Art Show, please email info@scope-art.com or visit www.scope-art.com.