Artist Trevor Paglen joins forces with curator Eli Scheinman to helm Zero 10, Art Basel's digital arts platform, at the Swiss fair next month. The partnership marks the initiative's third edition and its largest presentation yet.
Zero 10 expands significantly this year, featuring 20 exhibitors and artists across the digital spectrum. The roster includes Hito Steyerl, whose video installations interrogate surveillance and digital culture, and photographer Andreas Gursky, known for his massive-scale documentary works. Gallery representation comes from Hauser & Wirth and Almine Rech, both heavyweight dealers investing heavily in digital and internet-native art.
Paglen's appointment reflects Art Basel's commitment to legitimizing digital practice within the broader art market. The artist brings credibility as both a creator and thinker. His work sits at the intersection of technology, geopolitics, and contemporary image-making, making him an ideal voice to curate a platform navigating how digital tools reshape artistic production and distribution.
The timing matters. As NFTs cooled and speculative digital hype deflated, galleries and fairs recalibrated their approach to digital art. Zero 10's growth signals a maturing market beyond blockchain evangelism. The platform now positions digital work not as a separate category but as integral to contemporary practice.
Scheinman's return as co-curator suggests continuity. His previous selections established curatorial rigor, moving beyond novelty to emphasize conceptual depth and technical innovation. With Paglen alongside, Zero 10 signals Art Basel's intent to attract collectors serious about digital media while maintaining the fair's institutional credibility.
The Swiss edition's scale and visibility matter for the industry. Smaller galleries betting on digital now have access to Art Basel's audience and validation apparatus. For established houses like Hauser & Wirth and Almine