Kunstmuseum Basel Presents Major Dan Flavin Exhibition
The Kunstmuseum Basel is proud to present a landmark exhibition devoted to Dan Flavin (1933–1996), one of the most influential figures of Minimal Art. Flavin rose to prominence in the 1960s with his groundbreaking use of industrial fluorescent tubes, creating a new visual language that transformed contemporary art.
The exhibition focuses on works dedicated to fellow artists and pieces that reference significant historical events—an aspect of Flavin’s practice that is less well known but deeply revealing.
In 1963, Flavin installed a single fluorescent tube at a 45-degree angle in his studio and declared it a work of art. The gesture was radical then and remains striking today. By using ordinary commercial materials, he opened the door for Minimal Art’s emphasis on reduction, repetition, and clarity. Though self-taught and never formally aligned with the movement, Flavin became one of its defining voices.
From the 1960s onward, Flavin developed fluorescent light installations he called “situations.” Using only the standardized colors and dimensions available through industrial production, he created works that reshape entire spaces. Viewers stepping into these environments become part of the art itself—immersed in glowing color that produces both sensory and almost spiritual experiences.
While often celebrated for their sleek, minimalist beauty, Flavin’s works also carry deeper layers of meaning. Many titles reference specific events—such as wartime atrocities or police violence—or are dedicated to artists he admired. At Kunstmuseum Basel, visitors can encounter these dimensions directly, including the large-scale installation untitled (in memory of Urs Graf), which fills the museum’s Hauptbau courtyard with vibrant light each evening.
This special exhibition invites audiences to experience Flavin’s art as more than minimalism: as a practice rich with narrative, dedication, and social awareness. Through a selection of key works and series, the Kunstmuseum Basel offers a unique opportunity to explore the radical legacy of an artist who changed the way we see both light and space.