The Kunstmuseum Basel presents an extensive exhibition titled “Dan Flavin: Dedications in Lights,” dedicated to the pioneering American Minimal Art artist Dan Flavin (1933–1996). With fifty-eight works, including pieces never before seen in Switzerland, the exhibition offers a thematic and chronological exploration of Flavin’s unique oeuvre. Focusing on works dedicated to individuals or events, it marks the artist’s first major show in Switzerland in twelve years. Flavin revolutionized art by using industrially manufactured fluorescent tubes to create three-dimensional light installations, challenging traditional notions of authorship and art production. Despite his insistence on the factual nature of his art, Flavin often dedicated his works to friends, artists, and political events, adding an emotional dimension to his impersonal creations. The exhibition also showcases Flavin’s drawings and contextualizes his work within its social and historical milieu. Additionally, it highlights the significance of Basel in Flavin’s career, including his permanent installation at the Kunstmuseum Basel’s courtyard, which initially faced opposition but now stands as a testament to the transformative power of art.
Dan Flavin: Dedications in Lights / Kunstmuseum Basel | Neubau. Curators: Josef Helfenstein, Olga Osadtschy, Elena Degen. Exhibition tour and introduction by Olga Osadtschy. Basel (Switzerland), April 4, 2024.
