There is often a sense of reunification each year at Art Basel, as artists, collectors, gallerists, and other members of the community reconvene on the fair’s ground once more. For this year’s edition, the spirit of coming together continues: a selection of works by renowned kinetic artist Carlos Cruz-Diez will be presented together by UBS for the first time in almost a decade.
Considered one of the most innovative artists of the 20th century, Cruz-Diez is championed for his colorful, dynamic architectural interventions that encourage participants to retool their sense of perspective and motion. Cruz-Diez and the UBS Art Collection have a long history of collaboration: in the 1970s, Cruz-Diez installed a series of large-scale elements across hallways and common rooms in the former UBS building in Zurich that induced a sense of movement and energy as visitors traveled through the space. Nearly 40 years later, the artist’s color-in-motion installation will be displayed in the UBS Lounge to celebrate the company’s 25th year as Art Basel’s Global Lead Partner.
“Carlos's perception that color evolves, changing through time and space based on various conditions, lies at the core of the display and will allow for a new, interactive experience of these historic pieces,” said Mary Rozell, Global Head of the UBS Art Collection. “The works come alive when the viewer walks through the space and is captivated by a mesmerizing, ever-changing color scheme”.
Led by Rozell, UBS continues to nurture a growing collection of contemporary artworks as it has done for over 60 years. With over 30,000 works, The UBS Art Collection stands as one of the leading corporate collections globally. The team believes that art is at the heart of both innovation and inspiration; they also believe that art is to be shared. Works from the collection are often loaned to other cultural powerhouses for public exhibitions around the world, including for a show of 54 pieces by iconic American artist Ed Ruscha, at Denmark’s Louisiana Museum of Modern Art on until August 19.
“We are interested in sharing the works with the broader public as well, and do so through regular loans to international museums and dedicated exhibitions,” Rozell said. “While the UBS Art Collection is comprised of the individual art collections that have been integrated over time, we have always been focused on acquiring the most interesting and engaging works of our time from the regions where we do business while developing close relationships with artists”.
Access to the UBS lounge is by invitation only.
Image: Carlos Cruz-Diez, Physichromie UBS Vert, 1975, Acrylic paint on aluminum and coated Plexiglas elements on aluminum back and frame, 277 x 560 cm, UBS Art © 2018, ProLitteris, Zurich