News

For the 44th episode of Reading the Art World, host Megan Fox Kelly speaks with András Szántó—cultural strategist, writer, and longtime observer of museums and markets—about his new book, "The Future of the Art World: 38 Dialogues," published by Hatje Cantz.

Handle with Care—a seemingly lighthearted appeal that addresses so many things: how we treat objects and each other.

The "Dadasoph" is back: Raoul Hausmann is considered one of the most important multimedia pioneers of the avant-garde

The Rise of Arab Art by ART COLOGNE Award winner 2025 Andrée Sfeir-Semler shows the development of contemporary Arab art in a global context.

The winners of The Jerzy Stajuda Prize for Art Criticism for 2024 were art historians and curators Dr. Magdalena Ziółkowska and Wojciech Grzybała

Jeewi Lee (*1987 in Seoul, South Korea) is to receive the GASAG Art Prize
2026

With expressive works on paper and canvas, the world-renowned actor reflects on his most iconic stage and film roles, transforming them into powerful, painterly narratives. A unique artistic retrospective that bridges cinema and visual art.

The third and final volume in a series of books by András Szántó investigating the future of the art world will be released in October. 

Frank Kunert's new book delivers a cheerfully orchestrated selection of photographs celebrating the artist’s thirty-year career and our long-standing collaboration.

As a choreographer, Sasha Waltz has had a significant influence on contemporary dance. Her work is distinguished by a unique fusion of dance, architecture, and visual arts. Now, for the first time, her work is being published as a book.

With deep sadness, Hatje Cantz bids farewell to the outstanding photographer Christine Turnauer

We are delighted to reveal the twelve photographers shortlisted for Storm, the theme of Prx Pictet's eleventh cycle.

We are looking forward to welcome you once again at Art Basel at our booth in the foyer of Hall 2.0. 

Alongside numerous new publications and selected classics from our program, you can also look forward to several new editions – we will be happy to tell you more about this on site in Basel. 

Social Sip 

In keeping with tradition, we would also like to celebrate art with you – with an aperitif and lots of interesting guests. We guarantee you an enjoyable experience.  

Tuesday, June 17

Thomas Girst
Global Head of Cultural Engagement, BMW Group

Katharina Grosse
Artist 

Dirk Luckow
General Director Deichtorhallen Hamburg

Wednesday, June 18

Ulf Küster
Senior Curator Fondation Beyeler

Stefan Marx
Artist

Thursday, June 19

Massimo Minini
Gallerist

Giacomo Nigro
Studio Alberto Garutti

Gabriele Rothemann
Artist

About Art Basel 

Art Basel is one of the most prestigious art shows in the world, showcasing modern and contemporary works of art. With over 250 galleries and thousands of artists represented, Art Basel is a must-see event for art enthusiasts and collectors alike.

2025 is a special year for us: Hatje Cantz turns 80. A reason to celebrate – and to reflect.

2025 will be a year dedicated to Surrealism – a movement that, almost 100 years after its inception, continues to captivate with its ability to provoke fascination and unveil the unknown. As part of this year of Surrealism, Hatje Cantz will release three unique publications that approach the subject from different perspectives. The first catalog, accompanying the exhibition Surrealism + Antifascism at the Lenbachhaus Munich, explores the political dimension of Surrealism, which opposed the fascist threat. In the Fondation Beyeler in Basel, the collection Surrealist Masterpieces of the Collection Hersaint provides insight into the highlights of Surrealist art, while the Hamburger Kunsthalle's Rendezvous of Dreams examines the dialogue between Surrealism and German Romanticism.

Origins and Emergence of Surrealism

Surrealism emerged in the 1920s as a literary movement that later expanded into the visual arts. Shaped by artists such as Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, and Max Ernst, Surrealism sought to break the boundaries of the rational and logical. The movement was strongly influenced by Sigmund Freud's theories on the unconscious, aiming to foreground the irrational, the unconscious, and the fantastic. Surrealist works are characterized by bizarre, dreamlike, and often contradictory depictions.

The Visual Language of Surrealism

 In the visual arts, Surrealism relied on surprising, often illogical combinations of objects and scenes that were intended to confound or astonish the viewer. Collage, automatism, and other experimental techniques were frequently employed to free art from the artist's conscious control. The works reflect a deep interest in the psychological and fantastical aspects of human life, such as the distortion of time, space, and perspective.

Surrealism as a Political Movement

In addition to its artistic significance, Surrealism also had a strong political dimension. The movement was critical of established society and its conventions. Particularly after World War I, Surrealists felt alienated from the rational world order and criticized the destructive impacts of capitalism and nationalism. Many Surrealists were influenced by revolutionary ideas, and some, like André Breton, associated Surrealism with socialist and anarchist ideals, advocating for the liberation of the individual and the destruction of authoritarian structures.

Surrealism + Antifascism – Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus Munich

The catalog for the exhibition Surrealism + Antifascism explores the political dimension of Surrealism, which was not only an artistic movement but also a powerful response to the fascist threat. This comprehensive volume brings together key texts and manifestos of political Surrealism, including writings by André Breton, Georges Bataille, Walter Benjamin, and other prominent figures. With around 600 images and essays by renowned authors such as Theodor W. Adorno and Aimé Césaire, the anthology sheds light on how Surrealism fought against colonial and fascist tendencies, and how it functioned as an emancipatory movement extending from the 68er movement and beyond. A striking collection of thoughts and artworks that re-examines the Surrealist canon.

Release in March 2025, 696 pages 

Surrealist Masterpieces from the Collection Hersaint – Fondation Beyeler

The catalogue "Surrealist Masterpieces from the Collection Hersaint" presents a world premiere, showcasing the significant collection of Claude Hersaint. Featuring around 50 key works from the Hersaint collection, including pieces by Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, and Max Ernst, this catalog offers a unique insight into the development of Surrealism. Built over many years by Hersaint, an early and passionate supporter of Surrealism, the collection includes iconic works from the first generation of Surrealist artists as well as one of the largest private collections of Max Ernst. The catalog celebrates this extraordinary collection and provides in-depth essays exploring the relationships between artists and collectors. 

Rendezvous of Dreams: Surrealism and German Romanticism – Hamburger Kunsthalle

The catalog for the exhibition "Rendezvous of Dreams" explores the surprising connections between Surrealism and German Romanticism. Both movements share a fascination with the irrational, dreamlike, and unconscious. The exhibition and accompanying catalog reveal how Surrealists, such as Max Ernst and Paul Klee, paid homage to the Romantics like Caspar David Friedrich and Philipp Otto Runge, drawing inspiration from their depictions of the supernatural and inner vision. With numerous works from the resistance period, the catalog illustrates how deeply Romantic ideas influenced Surrealist art. The volume brings together engaging essays and around 300 images, deepening this transhistorical connection and offering new perspectives on 20th-century art history.