Art Basel is an international contemporary art exhibition considered the Olympics of the art world.

Knowledgeable collectors, jet setters, and international elite will be gathering this week at the 41st edition of Art Basel taking place in Basel, Switzerland, from June 16 through June 20, 2010. As the world’s premier art show, Art Basel 41 marks the annual summer reunion of the international art world, hosted by the city of Basel, which has been a cultural capital for centuries.  Art Basel features nearly 300 leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. 

Complimenting Art Basel’s extensive offerings, the city’s museums and institutions once again feature fascinating exhibitions, with a particularly strong focus this year on stars of the recent decades, such as Matthew Barney, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Felix Gonzalez Torres, Rodney Graham and Gabriel Orozco.

Founded by a group of local gallerists, the first Art Basel took place in 1970 and the event has long ranked as the most prestigious art show worldwide. The show regularly attracts some 60,000 artists, collectors, gallerists, museum directors, curators, and art enthusiasts, all drawn by both the quality and diversity of the artworks exhibited.

Art 41 Basel showcases every form of artistic expression, including paintings, drawings, editions, sculptures, installations, photography, performances, and video art. Inexpensive works by emerging artists are on display alongside museum-quality masterpieces priced in the millions.

More than 300 of the world’s leading galleries exhibit at Art Basel, selected from more than 1,100 applicants by the Art Basel Committee, an international jury of renowned gallerists.

UBS is the main sponsor of Art Basel for the past 17 years.  Also, Cartier, NetJets and AXA Art, as associate level supporters.  Bâloise Group, Bally, Davidoff,
Ruinart, The Singapore Freeport and Vitra one level below, and car service by Volkswagon, also contribute to sponsorship.