BASEL.- SCOPE, the acclaimed art show that established its name by providing a much needed international platform for cutting edge contemporary art, returns to Basel for the third year, hosting more galleries than ever before, from all over the world. Moreover, this year will see SCOPE in a brand new specially built venue on the Sportplatz Landhof, just 200 m from Art Basel, in the heart of the city. The new pavilion offering over 8,000 m², will provide an excellent opportunity for gallerists, collectors, curators, artists, critics and art enthusiasts alike to experience a view of the contemporary art market unavailable anywhere else.

This year will see some galleries exhibiting at SCOPE for the first time such as Pool Gallery, Galerie Ratus Casty and Celma Albequerque Galeria Arte; the debut in Basel of ART ASIA as part of SCOPE, a premier international Asian contemporary art fair which enjoyed a successful launch in Miami last year; a focus on Berlin contemporary art curated by Berlin Art Projects, and a dramatic installation by acclaimed New York visual artist Reed Barrow using smoke, light and mirrors. Alongside these, approximately 90 galleries from 20 countries will be showing the work of both emerging and established artists. Works shown will range from painting, drawing, sculpture and prints to video installations, animation, film, photography, performance and multimedia. Add to this a new venue in the heart of the city, an exciting children’s programme that aims to involve the local community in art and art-related activities and it is clear to see why art lovers of all persuasions will be beating a path to SCOPE’s door.

SCOPE was founded in 2002 and has since grown extensively in both volume and stature, becoming a major international art event in its own right, with annual fairs in Miami, New York, Basel, the Hamptons and London, and further fairs planned for Madrid and Istanbul in 2010.

SCOPE’s President and Founder, Alexis Hubshman, commented:
“SCOPE Basel will be essential viewing for collectors, curators and art lovers alike seeking the latest developments and ideas in contemporary art. We’re also excited about presenting the finest examples of new Asian art as part of ART ASIA. Our community programme is stronger than ever, reflecting our long-term commitment to Basel and we hope that through it, we can inspire future artists there.”

Gallery highlights include:
Primo Marella Gallery, Milan
Galerie Caprice Horn, Berlin
Bonelli Arte Contemporanea, Mantua
Fernando Pradilla , Madrid
Priska C. Juschka Fine Art, New York
Maurits van de Laar Gallery, The Hague
Willem Kerseboom Gallery, Amsterdam
Jacob Karpio Galeria, Miami
Fabian & Claude Walter Galerie, Zurich
Miki Wick Kim Contemporary Art, Zurich
Johyun Gallery, Seoul
Galerie Stefan Roepke
Galerie Andreas Binder , Cologne
Wetterling Gallery, Stockholm
Galerie Schuster, Berlin
Wilde Gallery, Berlin

Gallery Newcomers are:
Pool Gallery, Berlin
Galerie Ratus Casty Davos
Celma Albequerque Galeria Arte, Belo Horizonte.