The Chief Artistic Officer & Global Director Art of Basel Fairs discusses the Art Basel Awards scheme and its impact on the art world as it goes into its second year. Across nine categories, 33 Medallists are selected by an Art Basel-appointed panel, with 11 going on to become Gold Awardees via a vote amongst the nominated peers.
Canvas: What prompted the formation of the Art Basel Awards, and what was lacking in the art world that they are intended to provide? Are there any blind spots that still require filling?
Vincenzo de Bellis: First and foremost, there are many prizes and rightfully so, but they are mainly for artists and sometimes curators. There is not a single industry-wide award. So, because of what Art Basel represents in the art world, a place where all the different sectors of the industry come together, we felt that we were in a good position to start something like this.
We began intentionally with nine categories, which can evolve and change, and so we’ve now added now a tenth, the Gallery Legacy Award. In terms of blind spots, yes, we want to recognise as many people as possible. The categories we have right now are very straightforward, except for Allies and Cross-Disciplinary, which are different from what people might think of as the main actors in the industry. Our goal over time will be to remain rooted within the art world, but also look at the more expanded world of art and what that means.
What does the Allies category encompass?
Many things! Those nominated across both editions have included residency programmes, schools, workshops, production companies or art handlers. I genuinely believe that these are the unsung heroes of the art world. Without many of them you could not even see art and they don’t get the spotlight often enough. This is one of the categories I am most proud of.
How do the awards reflect Art Basel’s evolving role in the art world?
Art Basel’s primary role is a marketplace and a forum where our industry gets together for art to be acquired and sold. The commercial aspect of Art Basel is absolutely fundamental to our mission. However, at the same time, over the 56 years of our history it has become more than that. It’s the initiator of conversations, the inception of the Unlimited sector, Art Basel Cities and so on. It is an organisation that speaks to more than just ‘trading’, for lack of a better word. We offer a platform and visibility for all the different people across the art industry and very much see ourselves as a catalyst.
The Medallists go on to vote among themselves to select the final Gold Awardees, who are later announced at Art Basel Miami Beach in December. Why is peer recognition such an important aspect of the awards?
We discussed with both the jury and between ourselves internally the idea that Medallists, for us, are all winners. It is important to note that we don’t use the word ‘winners’– we call them Medallists, and then Awardees. It’s important for us that the Medallists are all recognised in the same way. We want them all to be part of a system that not only rewards but also gives back and helps the industry. That’s why we refer to them as “Global Visionaries Shaping the Future of Art and Culture”, meaning that this is an award not for what they are and what they’ve done, but for what they will do. We want them to decide amongst themselves because it’s the sincerest way, and I think for those who are chosen to receive the award, receiving it from their own peers is much more meaningful. It also eliminates the sense of competition, because now they’re not competing but they are supporting each other.
Are there any concerns that peer voting could favour reputation?
That’s a very interesting question. I don’t know how you eliminate it, but I have a pure conviction that when the categories are already predetermined, in a way they’re the boundaries within which each of the nominees has to vote. So, if I look back to last edition at who was chosen, they were awarded because there was consensus from all the different categories. Everyone votes on every category, so it’s very layered and the only rule is that they cannot vote for themselves.
What aspect of the Art Basel Awards stands out to you the most?
We are already almost two years in now and when we hold gatherings of the Awardees and you see the spirit of collegiality around these people, that’s what this is about for me.
