Art Basel at 50 – the 1980s

Discover the fair's history, decade by decade

2020 marks Art Basel's 50th anniversary. Through archive images, quotes from early participants, and key facts and figures, we invite you to discover the fair's early days.

The Second Decade

'With Art 11’80, the second decade of existence has begun for Art Basel. It can, together with the exhibitors and the wide international circle of art lovers, look into the future full of optimism, for is has retained its inner verve and the flexibility for necessary adjustments, and over the years the power of attraction has thus continuously grown thanks to increased experience. At the start of the decade that lies before us, Art Basel is appearing in a new costume with a redesigned poster and catalog.'

Dr F. Walthard, President of Art 11’80, General Director of the Swiss Industries Fair, Art Basel catalog, 1980

‘[Art Basel has always been the most important fair, the best organized, and the one that attracts the most international collectors. Of course then Art Basel – or any other fair for that matter – wasn’t what it is now. Back then, art fairs were not only about the art market, but also a meeting point of the different sectors of the art world. It was very common to see international artists walking through the hallways (Beuys was at Art Cologne almost every day, that’s where I actually met him), and the best curators and museum directors from around the world met in a relaxed atmosphere, and exchanged ideas and opinions.’

Juana de Aizpuru, Galería Juana de Aizpuru, Madrid

‘[Gallerist ] Juana de Mordó was a member of the consultative committee since 1974; when I joined her gallery in 1980 I was allowed to accompany her. I was a member of the committee myself from 1984. In 1981 the Spanish borders were still quite firmly sealed to artworks. Nevertheless, we took 21 drawings by Julio González with us to the fair in Basel– with an export permit limited to two weeks. We sold 17 drawings but had to bring them all back with us in order to apply for a definitive export license. The upshot was that the Spanish state decided to purchase 13 of the pieces, a decision which we then, to our shame, had to communicate back to the original buyers. The rest were sold immediately on the black market. It was still like that then. [...]’

Helga de Alvear, Galería Helga de Alvear, Madrid

‘[Art Basel has always been the most important fair, the best organized, and the one that attracts the most international collectors. Of course then Art Basel – or any other fair for that matter – wasn’t what it is now. Back then, art fairs were not only about the art market, but also a meeting point of the different sectors of the art world. It was very common to see international artists walking through the hallways (Beuys was at Art Cologne almost every day, that’s where I actually met him), and the best curators and museum directors from around the world met in a relaxed atmosphere, and exchanged ideas and opinions.’

Juana de Aizpuru, Galería Juana de Aizpuru, Madrid

‘[Gallerist ] Juana de Mordó was a member of the consultative committee since 1974; when I joined her gallery in 1980 I was allowed to accompany her. I was a member of the committee myself from 1984. In 1981 the Spanish borders were still quite firmly sealed to artworks. Nevertheless, we took 21 drawings by Julio González with us to the fair in Basel– with an export permit limited to two weeks. We sold 17 drawings but had to bring them all back with us in order to apply for a definitive export license. The upshot was that the Spanish state decided to purchase 13 of the pieces, a decision which we then, to our shame, had to communicate back to the original buyers. The rest were sold immediately on the black market. It was still like that then. [...]’

Helga de Alvear, Galería Helga de Alvear, Madrid

Welcome,

Art Basel at 50 – the 1980s

Discover the fair's history, decade by decade

The Second Decade

‘I first participated in Art Basel in 1980. It made me discover an international audience and a completely different world from that of my gallery in Paris.’

‘I first participated in Art Basel in 1980. It made me discover an international audience and a completely different world from that of my gallery in Paris.’

‘I first participated in Art Basel in 1980. It made me discover an international audience and a completely different world from that of my gallery in Paris.’