Bringing a touch of K-pop (art) to Basel
Screams could be heard throughout the fair’s Unlimited section earlier this week as fans of the mega K-pop band BTS tried to catch a glimpse of group member RM on a visit to the ArtCube, a swanky lounge dedicated to digital art experiences on Samsung devices. RM has just completed his mandatory military service in South Korea, so devotees of the BTS boyband heart throb were especially happy to see the singer out and about at Art Basel. “We love him so much—he is so funny and so passionate about art!” said a pair of French fans determined to get RM’s attention. The singer is a keen art collector and is thought to own works by Roni Horn, Joel Shapiro and Lee Bae—perhaps he went shopping after his warm welcome.
Half the world away: Friedrich Kunath’s romantic portrait of Liam Gallagher in quiet solitude
Don’t look back in anger (or too closely)
Fans of the UK group Oasis will love a sweeping, dramatic painting of Liam Gallagher on show with Pace gallery at Art Basel. The panoramic work by the artist Friedrich Kunath (We See Things They’ll Never See, 2025; $135,000) shows Liam standing over an abyss, mimicking Caspar David Friedrich’s 19th-century romantic hero standing on a mountain peak. Kunath is a big, big fan of Liam and has even penned a song with the Manchester superstar. Oasis art is bang on trend at the moment—a painting of Liam and his brother Noel by Elizabeth Peyton is up for auction at Sotheby’s London this month with an estimate of £1.5m-£2m.
One cannot live by art alone: collector Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo
Italian collector focuses on fungal forays
The Italian collector Patrizia Sandretto Re Rebaudengo revealed some future plans during a chat at Art Basel, including an ambitious exhibition across two sites in her home town of Turin to mark the 30th anniversary of her foundation. The dual-site show will take place at her foundation space and also at Mauto (National Automobile Museum), where Sandretto Re Rebaudengo will show art cars from her collection by artists such as Simon Starling and Julian Opie. The exhibition season at her other arts venue, a palazzo in Guarene nestled among the hills of the Langhe-Roero, depends, however, on a gastronomic wonder. “It all centres on the truffle season, which runs from October until late January,” she says.
Scan artist: Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev succumbs to Jordan Wolfson’s VR work
Wolfson’s ‘Little Room’ brings in big names
Fondation Beyeler drew some big names this week keen to try Jordan Wolfson’s virtual-reality experience Little Room. Upon entering the hi-tech space, visitors are paired either with a companion or a stranger and, after 3D full-body scans, they turn into each other (see it to understand it). Luminaries spotted at the VR adventure included Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, the former director of Castello di Rivoli in Turin. The sporting Miami collectors Don and Mera Rubell were also seen immersing themselves in the installation. The data is destroyed every day, though Mera insisted she wanted to “buy her avatar”—we’re hoping Jordan said yes.
Fair fragrance or foul?
Art Basel smells sweet this year, the air permeated with fruit and floral scents. But this aroma is not all it seems. Some fairgoers noticed holes in the wall at the entrance to Unlimited, pumping out the pungent air freshener. An Art Basel spokesperson tells us that “as part of a sensory exploration for Art Basel 2025, we are introducing a bespoke fragrance experience developed in collaboration with Givaudan. The scent, Racing Anticipation, will be gently diffused through the main entrance, adding a subtle new dimension to how audiences encounter the show.” Not everyone is happy, though, with one staff member overheard saying that the scent “is really kicking off my allergies”.
