To quote Chekhov, ‘Art has this wonderful characteristic: it connects people, and it does so without coercion or force.’ This was precisely the spirit behind UBP’s invitation to guests for an exclusive tour of Art Basel.
Now in its fourth edition, the event has grown significantly since its beginnings as a local initiative for the Bank’s Basel office. Over the years, it expanded to include Zurich and, today, has become one of UBP’s global events, bringing together guests from a broader range of markets and welcoming an international audience.
Guests gathered at the Messeplatz for private, multi-lingual tours of the Unlimited sector. The curated walk-through introduced works by modern masters and emerging talents, highlighting what makes Art Basel a benchmark for 20th- and 21st-century art, with over 290 leading galleries and more than 4,000 artists represented.
Art Basel’s distinctive appeal lies not only in its scale, but also in its ability to attract leading galleries, collectors, curators and institutions from around the world. Its Unlimited sector offers a unique opportunity to experience large-scale installations and ambitious artistic projects that go beyond the traditional art-fair format.
“To build strong relationships with our clients, we need to be able to spend meaningful amounts of time with them, and not just in a banking context, but also at experiences like these.”
Adrian Künzi, CEO of UBP Zurich and Head of Wealth Management European Markets
As Adrian Künzi noted, time is a key ingredient in building trust. Events such as Art Basel create the opportunity to engage with clients in a different setting, sharing passions and starting conversations about what matters to them beyond the world of finance.
Later, the hospitality continued over dinner at the city’s iconic Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois, with a welcome address by Board Member Anne Rotman de Picciotto. Philip Hoffman, Chairman and Founder of The Fine Art Group, then brought a lively and entertaining dimension to the evening by moderating an art quiz filled with surprising facts and anecdotes.
The evening reflected the many facets of the art world: fun, controversial, exciting. UBP values events such as this, which create meaningful moments with guests while reflecting the Bank’s longstanding commitment to culture, dialogue and relationships that extend beyond business.
