In 1994, the then Union Bank of Switzerland, and the predecessor to today's UBS, awarded the Video Art Prize. The event marked the beginning of a long-term relationship between Art Basel and Switzerland's largest bank, which is now celebrating its 30th year of existence.

In 2000, the partnership included the newly launched Unlimited exhibition platform at Art Basel, which was conceived for projects that went beyond the scope of the classical format of an art fair. Following that, Art Basel successively expanded to three continents and four different fairs. In 2002, Art Basel Miami Beach was launched, followed by Art Basel Hongkong in 2013.

UBS has taken on a global role since then. Since 2017, both partners have jointly tackled the most important discussions in the art market, as exemplified by the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report or the Survey of Global Collecting written by cultural economist Clare McAndrew.

Star as Symbol

Facade installation by Petrit Halilaj at the former Hotel Merian in Basel (Image: Peter Macdiarmid)

In celebration of the 30th jubilee of their cooperation, UBS and Art Basel are presenting an artwork by Petrit Halilaj, whose works also form part of the UBS Art Collection. The installation is titled «When the sun goes away we paint the sky» and can be seen throughout the week of the fair on the facade of the former Hotel Merian in Basel.

Extraordinary Inheritance

The work was created for the Manifesta 14 exhibition in Grand Hotel Prishtina, transforming the symbols of collapse into shining beacons of hope. The stars light up at night in Basel and stand for new values and longing. They are supposed to exude positive views of the future.

Noah Horowitz, CEO of Art Basel, maintains: «Since 1994, our partnership with UBS has developed into a dynamic cooperation that has unified that global art economy. Together, both UBS and Art Basel have shaped discussions in the art world. They have provided art market analysis to collectors, galleries, and art professionals around the world. It is an extraordinary inheritance and something that has been supporting artists for over 30 years while inspiring the public worldwide.»