Naama Tsabar at Kunsthaus Baselland: A Fusion of Sound and Sculpture
New York-based artist Naama Tsabar brings a multi-sensory installation to Kunsthaus Baselland, marking her first major institutional solo exhibition in Europe. Spanning three distinct bodies of work—Transition, Works On Felt, and Barricade—the exhibition explores the fluid boundaries between visual art and sonic performance, inviting visitors to reconsider how art objects occupy and transform physical space.
Experiencing Sound and Sculpture in Basel
Upon entering the galleries, visitors encounter works that challenge conventional distinctions between seeing and hearing. The Transition series initially resembles minimalist paintings or large-scale drawings. Instead of traditional pigment, however, Tsabar incorporates components from amplifiers and stage monitors—cables, buttons, and connectors—into the canvas composition. These elements remain fully functional, turning visual canvases into sculptural speakers capable of emitting sound when activated.
Nearby, the Works On Felt series merges soft textiles with carbon fiber, piano strings, and tuning pegs. This combination allows the pliable felt to maintain high structural tension. Visitors are encouraged to engage directly with the pieces by plucking the strings, transforming passive viewing into an interactive, acoustic experience.
Complementing these works is Barricade, an arrangement of microphones connected in a triangular formation. The spatial setup acts as both a physical barrier and an acoustic conduit, routing sound directly through the Transition canvases in the adjacent room and weaving the entire gallery space into a cohesive sonic environment.
Visitor Information and Context
The exhibition highlights Tsabar’s interest in shifting traditional art viewing into a participatory encounter, questioning the authority and fixed nature of gallery objects. Alongside Tsabar's presentation, the institution also featured simultaneous solo exhibitions by Rossella Biscotti and Rochelle Feinstein.
To plan your visit and explore more cultural highlights across the area, discover what else is currently showing through Musemap (musemap.art). You can browse upcoming exhibitions via what's on exhibitions, find related spots with the museums list, or check the interactive map view.
