Vittorio Brodmann Takes Over the Kunsthaus Baselland Exterior Façade in Basel
Visitors approaching the contemporary arts hub in the Dreispitz district will encounter a striking new large-scale facade intervention. For its fifth annual banner commission, the institution has invited Vittorio Brodmann—succeeding past exterior projects by artists such as Bianca Pedrina, Kilian Rüthemann, Matthias Huber, and Daniel Göttin.
What to Expect from Brodmann’s Banner Installation in Basel
Known for his distinctive narrative painting style that often flirts with comic-strip aesthetics, Brodmann has adapted his artistic practice to the massive proportions of the building's exterior surface. The resulting visual piece is deliberately ambiguous, engaging the viewer’s imagination without settling on a single, straightforward storyline.
As passersby study the installation, the imagery shifts and resists immediate categorization. Elements of the design oscillate between disparate interpretations—resembling a head from behind or a structural cactus, a window frame or a pure field of color. Because the composition transitions between landscape and portrait orientations, it actively encourages a second look, complicating any hasty interpretation.
Simultaneously, the artwork integrates closely with the building itself, taking on a distinctly architectural and sculptural presence. Questions of temporality sit at the heart of the display, prompting reflection on how we parse visual narratives and how those readings shift when perspectives are tilted, adjusted, or layered.
This monumental exterior presentation defines the visual identity of the contemporary art space for a ten-month run. To discover more current highlights and upcoming programming across the city, explore what's on in Basel, browse the complete museum directory, or check out Musemap (musemap.art) to plan your next cultural outing.
