Exploring Early Basel Street Art History at Artstübli
For those interested in the roots of urban creativity, local gallery and platform Artstübli offers a tangible piece of local counterculture history. The venue currently stocks a newly revised publication dedicated to the formative years of regional graffiti culture, capturing a distinct era of public expression.
Documenting the Formative Years of Urban Art in Basel
The publication, titled Graffiti an der Linie in Basel 1985–1990, explores the beginnings of the local spray-painting movement along the city's railway lines. During the mid-1980s, young creators began leaving their marks on the concrete walls surrounding the tracks—a space defined by ballast, rails, and passing trains near the central station.
The hardcover volume spans 448 pages and features over 500 historical illustrations compiled from various photographers, organized by location and layer. Alongside the visual archive, the book includes contemporary quotes, historical texts in German covering the movement's history, and a brief look ahead into the 1990s.
What Visitors and Collectors Should Know
This second, revised edition includes a fresh cover and sixteen additional pages compared to previous print runs. The book is available for purchase directly at the gallery space in Basel for CHF 60.–, with options for cash or credit card payment, as well as postal delivery within Switzerland for those who prefer shipping Kontakt ins Artstübli.
To plan your visit and explore more cultural spots, exhibitions, and local highlights across the city, you can check out the interactive Basel map view or browse further through Musemap to see what else is happening on the Whats-on exhibitions page.
