“Wish You Were Here”: The Kunstkredit Exhibition 2025 at Kunsthalle Basel
“Wish You Were Here” is the title of the new exhibition opening this coming Sunday at Kunsthalle Basel. The show presents works by eight artists supported by the Kunstkredit Basel-Stadt and will only be on view for two weeks – so best to come straight to the opening and not miss any of the performances! Curator Martina Venanzoni shared some insights with us in advance about the meaning behind the title.
What is new about this year’s concept, and what was the most exciting aspect for you in preparing this exhibition?
MV: “The Kunstkredit exhibition has followed the same principle for quite some time: the usually eight artists who received a work grant from Kunstkredit Basel-Stadt in the previous year are given the opportunity to present their practice in a group exhibition at Kunsthalle Basel. For me as a curator, it is fascinating to see which positions the jury has selected this year – what they considered especially relevant, contemporary, and deserving of recognition. And of course, to engage with the artists, to become acquainted with their work, and to prepare the exhibition together.”
Which thematic or aesthetic connections do you see between the positions being presented?
MV: “Many of the works place interpersonal relationships at their centre, evoking collaboration, interaction, and solidarity – not only within our society, but also between humans, nature, and technology. Others question the canon or history, adding alternative and more inclusive narratives. This is also why the exhibition bears its title, which echoes this aspiration towards connection: Wish You Were Here.”
Among the participating artists, some pursue a performance-based practice. How will this be reflected in the exhibition?
MV: “Of the eight artists, three work primarily in performance: Sultan Çoban, Parvez, and Sarina Scheidegger. Accordingly, the opening will feature a full programme, with a performance taking place every three-quarters of an hour. However, all three are also presenting an installation in the exhibition space. And during regular opening hours, performances and talks will take place at regular intervals as well. The exact schedule can be found on the website or the flyer.”
Kunsthalle Basel is an institution with international renown; local artists are rarely presented there. What significance does Kunsthalle Basel hold as a venue for the Kunstkredit exhibition?
MV: “Kunsthalle Basel as a venue is extremely important for the Kunstkredit exhibition. The institution’s reputation definitely reflects onto the exhibition itself. And for the artists, it is of great value to be able to list Kunsthalle Basel as an exhibition space in their portfolio. The institution also guarantees visibility, of course. For the artists, it is an opportunity to present their work both to the public and to a professional audience for whom the exhibition is a fixture in the calendar.”
Kunstkredit Basel-Stadt has a long tradition of supporting artists. How do you see the role of this institution in today’s art world?
MV: “Like all cantonal and municipal funding bodies, Kunstkredit Basel-Stadt plays an indispensable role in supporting artists. With the work grant, awardees can finance their living costs for a few months and devote themselves entirely to their practice. Or they may use the funding to produce an ambitious work. The decision as to which artists are awarded is always subjective and open to debate – there are no objective criteria for the quality of art. That’s why I think it is so important that the jury brings a range of experiences, has an awareness of diversity, and is regularly reconstituted.”
September 2025
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Martina Venanzoni studied Art History and Musicology at the universities of Basel, Zurich, and Buenos Aires. She is currently curator at Kunsthalle Arbon and works as a freelance writer, contributing among others to Kunstbulletin and the St. Galler Tagblatt. She lives and works in Basel.
