BASEL.- The 37th edition of Art Basel, the international art show, takes place in Basel (Switzerland) from June 14 (today) through 18, 2006. 290 leading galleries from all continents have been selected for participation by the Art Basel Committee. They will be showing works by over 2,000 artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. 48 will be making their first appearance at the international art show. A new addition to Art Basel is the «Art Premiere» sector, where 12 promising young galleries will have the opportunity to introduce their programs. Further special sectors feature one-person shows of young artists, art editions, art projects in urban spaces, and film.

The «Art Unlimited» hall offers artists and galleries a platform where they can show outsize works such as can be seen and purchased at no other art fair. There will also be a special presentation of artist books. On a trial basis, the international art show will already be running its final event and closing its doors on Sunday, June 18. «Professional Day», aimed at museum professionals, dealers, and collectors, will be held on Friday, June 16.

«Art Basel Conversations», with leading exponents of the international art world, will also be on the agenda. The 37th edition of Art Basel, the international art show, runs from June 14 through 18, 2006. 55,000 art collectors, gallerists, artists, curators, and art lovers from all over the world are expected. Art Basel is regarded as the most important annual meeting of the art world and is indisputably the world’s biggest and most important fair for modern and contemporary art. Art Basel’s excellent reputation is based on the high quality and unique diversity of the works on show, and on the international audience attracted by the event.

Making its debut this year is the special «Art Premiere» sector. 12 young galleries from Belgium, the USA, France, Britain, Germany, India, Switzerland, Slovenia, and Italy will be taking part. With this initiative, Art Basel expands its efforts to offer the youngest generation of gallerists a platform and, at the same time, lives up to its goal of adding something new to the show every year.