Exploring Transition and Transformation at Kunsthaus Baselland with 'In Between'
The concept of transition takes center stage in Basel as Kunsthaus Baselland hosts a major group exhibition titled "In Between." Bringing together an international roster of creators, the presentation explores the delicate spaces, temporal shifts, and political realities that define contemporary society. Curated by Ines Goldbach, the showcase invites local art enthusiasts and visitors to reflect on moments of flux—where old structures recede, and new, uncertain futures begin to take shape.
What Visitors Can Expect from the Exhibition
Spanning multiple rooms in the Dreispitz district, the showcase features works by eleven diverse practitioners: Judith Albert, Brigham Baker, Aysha E Arar, Saodat Ismailova, Bouchra Khalili, Klara Lidén, Christian Marclay, Eva Nielsen, Ursula Palla, Marijke Van Warmerdam, and Ibtisam Tasnim Zaman. Rather than focusing on a single medium, the exhibition moves fluidly between film projections, sound installations, bronze sculptures, and layered canvas works.
The selected pieces encourage viewers to slow down and consider political, private, and territorial boundaries. For instance, Ursula Palla’s projection-and-bronze installation Empty Garden reinterprets the famous grounds of Giverny as a place of quiet seasonal transition, while Christian Marclay’s seminal video piece Telephones uses clever cinematic montage to transform everyday waiting and calling into an expressive dialogue across decades of film history.
Engaging with Contemporary Discourses in Basel
The thematic thread of the exhibition draws inspiration from broader societal shifts. As noted in perspectives shared around the project, society frequently finds itself caught between endings and untried beginnings. Artists like Bouchra Khalili examine migration flows and the power of language through moving-image trilogies, while Saodat Ismailova highlights the fragile relationship between ecosystems, cultural heritage, and modern pressures in Central Asia. Meanwhile, newer contributions—such as Ibtisam Tasnim Zaman’s examination of post-colonial chocolate production links to Switzerland—ground the global themes directly within local and historical contexts.
To help structure your cultural journey across the city and discover further contemporary art presentations, you can explore more highlights through Musemap, check out the search directory, or view upcoming schedules on the exhibitions calendar.
