Discovering “Rewilding” at the New Kunsthaus Baselland
Marking a major milestone for contemporary art in the Dreispitz district, Kunsthaus Baselland launched its new chapter with the expansive inaugural exhibition, Rewilding. Running through August 18, 2024, the opening showcase explores themes of environmental care, social transformation, and the revitalization of former industrial terrain. Curated by Ines Goldbach, the exhibition brings together works by a diverse roster of regional and international artists, including notable features in regional platforms such as the ProgrammZeitung.
Exploring Local Visitor Experiences in the Dreispitz District
As visitors step into the new architectural setting, the transition from an industrial storage area into a vibrant cultural campus becomes immediately palpable. The exhibition takes its conceptual cue from the ecological notion of "rewilding," drawing parallels between the restoration of natural habitats and the nurturing of creative energy within an urban structure.
Artworks are thoughtfully integrated throughout the building’s interior and exterior spaces, encouraging visitors to move attentively through the galleries and public zones:
- Site-Specific Interventions: Renate Buser captures the building's construction phases through analog photography, expanding the foyer walls into multi-layered spatial experiences.
- Interactive Soundscapes: Naama Tsabar invites careful visitor activation with installations like Melody of Certain Damage, transforming broken electric guitars into resonant acoustic possibilities.
- Monumental Textiles: El Anatsui utilizes flattened bottle caps to construct undulating, textile-like sculptures that reflect on global trade histories, as highlighted in reviews by outlets like The Art Newspaper.
- Public-Facing Projections: Tony Cokes, in collaboration with MOS Architects, presents text-based video works on the exterior facade that remain accessible around the clock.
What to Expect During Your Visit
Beyond the primary installations, the exhibition features contributions from an array of prominent voices exploring pressing socio-political and ecological questions, from Monira Al Qadiri’s meditations on fossil fuel dependencies to Pipilotti Rist’s immersive chandeliers. Visitors looking to plan a trip can also explore related local recommendations and upcoming exhibitions through Musemap, ensuring a comprehensive approach to local culture discovery.
To dive deeper into the local art scene and plan your next gallery visit, you can explore upcoming exhibitions or browse museums across the city.
