“The three Art Basel fairs, although they are similar to each other in many regards and serve the same purpose, are defined by their cities” - Marc Spiegler, Global Director of Art Basel.

Introducing Art Basel Cities, the first iteration of an initiative by the Basel-based fair which aims to promote and nurture the cultural landscape of cities around the world. The initiative which is comprised of a weeklong series of public art programmes begins on the 6th of September and promises to support local artist, galleries non-profit and public institutions to continue an organic and sustainable growth into the future.

From September 6-12, Cities Artistic Director Cecilia Alemani, director of High Line Art, New York, has convened a group of 18 Argentine and International artist to present a variety of large-scale, performative and interactive works in dialogue with the existing urban landscape and neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires.

Entitled 'Hopscotch (Rayuela)' , viewers are invited to 'chart their own path' among the selected and commissioned projects and related events including a colourful textile sculpture/installation by Pia Camil, monumental mural by Barbara Kruger, giant inflatable Kermit the Frog by Alex Da Corte to an eight-hour planetarium projection by Stan VanDerBeek - there should be no shortage of interesting works and activities throughout the city.

Marc Spiegler, the global director of Art Basel, told The Art Newspaper. “The strategy of Art Basel Cities is based very much on the cultural situation of the city. For now, that means finding something that works for Buenos Aires”.

So what about the name - Hopscotch. Coming from the English translation of Argentine writer Julio Cortazar’s novel “Rayuela,” in which the reader is invited to jump from chapter to chapter, Hopscotch offers a treasure hunt of pop-ups and performances scattered around the city, encouraging the public to go on an artistic journey of a kind they have not previously experienced anywhere.