The Bruce Nauman Retrospective Exhibition of Contemporary Art at Schaulager Basel

This major retrospective exhibition provides an in-depth survey of five decades of Bruce Nauman's influential and multi-faceted career. Organized by the Laurenz Foundation, Schaulager Basel, and the Museum of Modern Art, it explores the artist's use of diverse mediums including video, sculpture, neon, and immersive installation.

Bruce Nauman: Disappearing Acts surveys the extensive and radical oeuvre of one of the most significant figures in contemporary art. The exhibition traces Nauman's career from his early days as a student in the 1960s to his recent 3D video installations, highlighting a body of work that constantly probes themes of physicality, language, and the nature of human existence. By juxtaposing early and later works, the retrospective reveals a persistent thread of inquiry into the nature of disappearance, absence, and the voids that inhabit both creative and everyday experience. Meticulously tailored for the Schaulager space, the exhibition features iconic video works, neon signs, and large-scale environments alongside rarely seen pieces. Curated by Kathy Halbreich, Heidi Naef, and Isabel Friedli, the retrospective encourages visitors to navigate Nauman's complex cosmos, challenging traditional notions of the artist and inviting participants to craft their own meanings in a world where habitual rules and aesthetic values are frequently called into question.

The exhibition took place at Schaulager in 2018. Information regarding tickets and visitor admission was managed through the museum's official channels during the exhibition period; users were directed to check the Schaulager website for further details and booking information at the time of the event.