Bombs Fall, But the Art Basel Bubble Shines – 2025
Amid the uncertainties of a shaken world, with the war in Iran quietly reverberating through hallway conversations, Art Basel 2025 opened its doors with a surprisingly buoyant energy. On VIP day, the atmosphere was electric, lively, even playful, as collectors and curators circled each booth with sharpened focus, as if art itself offered a necessary refuge from the chaos beyond.
One shift was impossible to ignore: the notable absence of American buyers. Instead, the fair was dominated by a sophisticated European clientele, discreet collectors, seasoned buyers, and a strong presence of curators from major museums and institutions.