Pop-up globalization : theorising scale and programming strategies in relation to Art Basel

Abstract

Starting from the 1950s, architects including Constantinos Doxiadis began to theorise the extension of buildings' operation within social networks. Two decades later, in the context of globalization that started in the 1970s and accelerated in the 1990s, further theories has been produced to capture the 'global' scale of airports, offices, and logistic centres operation. These new approaches towards buildings were paralleled by practical explorations of the new boundaries of architectural design. Specifically, programming buildings and urban developments have been tested as a new avenue for the profession by architects such as Cedric Price, Rem Koolhaas, and Raoul Bunschoten. However, as my research demonstrates, the temporal variation of the extended operation has been relatively less explored theoretically and practically. Not much theorisation has been done on the temporal structure of the extended operation of buildings that we could find in the convention centres, sports arenas, and other event-related buildings. The relevance of programming in the context of short-term events remains understudied.

My dissertation focused on six art clusters: Old Town and Dreispitz in Basel, Design District and Wynwood in Miami, and Central and South Island Cultural District in Hong Kong. I explored the logic behind these art clusters formation and their performance in the context of a prestigious international art fair Art Basel, which occurs annually in the three cities. I examined ways art clusters have helped in negotiating the rapid injection of capital, attention, people, and objects. Data was collected from fifty face-to face-interviews with art experts in Basel, Miami and Hong Kong. It was complemented with site visits, archival research, and urban analysis of the three cities.

The dissertation advances a time-sensitive description of the extended operation of art venues. It theorises the relationship between scale and program opening-up a more dynamic discourse on the extended operation of convention centres, museums, and galleries. My research also contributes to architectural practice. It demonstrates ways programming could be deployed by local communities to profit from short-term international inflow of capital