Miscellaneous Steve McQueen transforms Schaulager Basel into a work of art
The clients were actually expecting a film work. The renowned British video artist and film director Steve McQueen has delivered a sound and light installation that transforms the entire Schaulager Basel into a work of art.
12.06.2025, 16:09
SDA
"Bass" is the name of the latest work by award-winning video artist and film director Steve McQueen. "Bass" is also the program. Born in 1969, the British artist has transformed the entire expansive Schaulager into a resonating space flooded with lights across the entire color spectrum and interwoven with musical bass lines.
This is surprising, as McQueen is known as an artist with a camera in his hand. In 2013, Schaulager set up an entire cinema city for his video works. In 2014, he received the Oscar for Best Film for his feature film "12 Years a Slave". And now a light and sound installation?
Second station after the premiere in New York
The two clients, Schaulager Basel/Münchenstein and the Dia Art Foundation New York, did not think so, as curator Isabelle Friedli said at the media presentation on Thursday. McQueen said that he had experienced the first station for his work, the basement of the Dia Beacon, like the hold of a ship, which had inspired him to step outside the framework of fine art. Light and sound now creep into every corner like scents.
For Schaulager, the immaterial, abstract installation has been tailor-made for the building. Over 1000 LED light tubes run through the entire spectral color palette from red to violet in gentle transitions.
Added to this is the bass line, which can also be physically perceived through the low frequencies. For the music, McQueen was able to recruit the well-known US jazz bassist Marcus Miller, who developed the sound in improvisations with four other musicians.
The "Bass" installation at Schaulager Basel in Münchenstein BL can be visited until November 16.
