Revolt Against the Sun! at Kunsthaus Baselland
For its milestone tenth collaboration, the Institute Art Gender Nature HGK Basel FHNW brings its annual graduation exhibition to Kunsthaus Baselland. Running from August 30 through September 14, 2025, the showcase features brand-new works by nearly 50 emerging bachelor and master artists stepping out of the academy and into professional practice.
Co-curated by Chus Martínez and independent guest curator Margaux Bonopera—head of exhibitions at the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles—the presentation offers visitors a sweeping look at the pressing concerns, diverse mediums, and unique artistic languages nurtured within the local educational landscape.
Exploring the Exhibition and Visitor Experience
The exhibition takes its title from the 1947 poetry collection Revolt Against the Sun by Iraqi writer Nazik al-Mala’ika. Rather than forcing a singular, uniform theme onto the galleries, the title reflects a collective refusal of imposed conformity, dominant structures, and rigid meanings.
Visitors navigating the rooms will encounter works that grapple directly with the complex turbulences of contemporary life, from digital alienation and chronic anxiety to climate anxieties and geopolitical conflicts. Yet, rather than descending into despair, the pieces offer sober engagement, humor, and moments of shared hope. The nearly 50 participating artists—including Maria Paz Aires, Riccardo Aloisi, Louie Blaser, and Ilja Zaharov—deploy vastly different artistic practices, transforming the galleries into a dynamic arena for public discussion and collective reflection.
Public Events and Guided Tours
To help visitors deeply engage with the graduation showcase, a rich schedule of companion events runs throughout the exhibition period:
- Opening Vernissage: Friday, August 29, at 5:00 pm.
- Curator’s Tour: Saturday, August 30, at 12:30 pm.
- Family Sunday & Walk-In Studio: Sunday, August 31, starting at 11:00 am and 2:00 pm.
- Lunchtime Guided Tours: Tuesday, September 2, and various scheduled sessions.
- Sunday Matinée & Evening Tours: Running on select dates through September 11.
- Finissage: Sunday, September 14, at 3:00 pm.
Press coverage for the presentation has appeared across Cura Magazine, Radio X, and Daily Lazy.
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