Make Love not War, Man !

Wild at Art: Make Love not War, Man !.... is a group art exhibition of international and Swiss artists

from 18th to 28th June during Art Basel 2025

at Atelier Mondial, Freilager-Platz 9, 4142 Münchenstein

at the Academy of the Arts, above the HEK at Freilagerplatz, Tram 11

Curators' Text

Exhibition Text

Exhibition Layout

Artworks List by Artist

The Wild at Art exhibition is a celebration of the energy and dynamism of the city, which, during Art Basel 2025, takes on a new context and intensity. For the third consecutive time, we gather at Atelier Mondial on the Campus of the Arts in Basel to present works by renowned multidisciplinary artists of British, Indian, Polish, Serbian, South Sudanese, Swiss, Russian and Ukraine decent.

The exhibition engages with the current decolonial discourse, recently brought into sharper focus by the 'Colonial' exhibition at the Landes Museum Zürich. That project highlighted how profoundly colonial legacies continue to resonate within global economic, social and cultural divisions, perpetuating structures of discrimination, prejudice and radicalisation.

Wild at Art extends this conversation by reflecting on the contemporary consequences of colonial legacies and systems of supremacy. The participating artists critically examine mechanisms of power, exclusion, and stereotyping, revealing how these forces continue to shape our everyday social realities. Their works give voice to immigrants, travelers and prominent figures from the art world. Each piece stands as a testimony to the ongoing struggles over identity, belonging, and place within the global order.

This exhibition builds on themes previously explored in Sylwia Zawiślak's recent solo show at Artstübli in Basel. Her work investigates social divisions, prejudice, and transnational identities, highlighting the complexity and ambiguity of human experience in an era of global migration and increasing polarisation.

Against the backdrop of escalating armed conflicts, deepening divides between the Global North and South, and rapid advances in automation and digitisation, 'Make Love Not War, Man !' examines today's societal tensions. It illuminates both processes of decolonisation and the rise of new forms of nationalism and protectionism, which are destabilising established social and economic structures.

The works on view respond to the challenges of a world where growing social and economic inequalities fuel fear, frustration and a sense of marginalisation. The participating artists comment on the difficulties of social integration and the political rise of right-wing movements in western societies, whilst emphasising the potential of art as a medium for dialogue, empathy, and understanding.

Title

- 'Make Love not War, Man !'

Key words:

- Expressions of Unity and Divide
- Unite or Divide
- United
- Pride or Prejudice
- Echoes of Unity
- War, Wealth & Identity
- Universal Parallels
- Decolonise
- Decolonialisation
- Deconstruct the colonisation
- Deconstruct and Decolonise

Artists

Alexandre Kyungu Mwilambwe - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Installation
Ana Vujic - Serbian -Swiss - Charcoal drawings
Markus Gössi - Swiss, performance
Mer Ayang - South Sudan, painting, performance
Nika Timashkova Ukraine/ Swiss - multidisciplinary
Rama Kalidindi - Indo-Brit-Swiss - Painting and installation
Jonah Batambuze - Ugandan-American-Film
Reza Hazare - Afghanisthan - Painting
Saskia Edens ? - Swiss, Performance
Sylwia Zawiślak's - Polish, Print and sculpture
Wiktoria-Lomasko - Russian, Drawing ?

Events

Tuesday 17th June, 18:00-21:00 - 18:00 Performance (Teaser)
Wednesday 18th June, 18:00-22:00 - Opening ?
Thursday 19th June, 11:00-18:00
Friday 20th June, 11:00-18:00
Saturday 21st June, 11:00-18:00 - 14:00 Meet the artists
Sunday 22nd June, 11:00-18:00 - 14:00 Meet the artists
Monday 23rd June, 11:00-18:00
Tuesday 24th June, 11:00-18:00
Wednesday 25th June, 11:00-18:00
Thursday 26th June, 11:00-18:00
Friday 27th June, 11:00-18:00
Saturday 28th June, 11:00-18:00 - 14:00 Meet the artists, 17:00 Performance ?, Finissage

Donation

There are many fabulous art works for sale. Ten percent of the proceeds will be donated to a local development organisation, which helps with the integration of refugees locally through cultural projects, aiming to improve intercultural relations and social integration. Be Aware and Share, a local registered charity that supports people on the move by promoting intercultural relations and social integration. We are grateful to raise awareness and support an initiative that helps people to find a better position in life.

Interesting References

Publicity

Agenda Basel
Art Agenda
Atelier Mondial
Oslo House Studios Cooperative
Visarte
ProZ