The Kunstmuseum Basel Renovation: A Comedic Commentary
Ah, the Kunstmuseum Basel! A magnificent place filled with art that’s probably more expensive than my entire wardrobe, and trust me, I’m no fashionista. The main building, which is taking a spa day—sorry, I mean renovation—came up with a new budget so extravagant that even my dreams of winning the lottery felt modest. The Basel government, clearly feeling generous, has greenlit an additional 7.5 million francs for the project, which is code for “Oops, we underestimated the cost of putting some paint on the walls and calling it modern art.”
“The renovation will not start until 2029 at the earliest.”
Just in case you missed that, folks! You’ll need to mark 2029 on your calendars—unless, like most of us, you don’t even know what you’re doing next week let alone in six years. Four long years of renovation and, I hope, an abundance of fine art to distract us. I mean, we might as well just send everyone on a permanent holiday until then, right?
Now, it seems the previous budget of 4.7 million francs that was allocated back in 2015 was a bit like trying to buy a mansion with pocket change. I can see the budget meeting now: “So how much for renovations?” “I don’t know, a couple of million?” “Perfect! Let’s get some modern art for the planning room!” The Finance Commission had to approve this increased budget. What a lovely job. Nothing says “fun at work” like reallocating funds for moving art pieces and managing temporary storage—almost as entertaining as a tax audit.
And let’s not get started on the maximum cost ceiling of 184 million francs! What do they plan to do? Hire Michelangelo to oversee this thing? I can’t help but wonder if this sum includes a gold-plated toilet seat for the curator’s office. Perhaps the renovation will involve a ‘while we’re at it’ approach, which generally translates to “Let’s make it ten times more complicated and expensive.” Classic.
The renovation is set to begin at the earliest in 2029. We’re starting to wonder if that’s a soft launch for time travel. You know, I hear the building’s architect, Paul Bonatz, is currently spinning in his grave at the thought of how long his beloved masterpiece will be out of action. His plans are holding up like a teenager’s diet—countless promises, few results!
While the main building is undergoing a transformation that seems to be inspired more by a Kardashian makeover than an art museum, the art itself will be taking refuge in the newer parts of the museum. It’s a good thing too, because art pieces are notoriously known for acting up when they’re left alone in the dark—think of them as introverted friends who just get a little too shy when the spotlight’s on them.
So there you have it, folks! The Kunstmuseum Basel’s renovation saga sounds like a comedy of errors waiting to happen. Four years, millions spiraling like paint splashes on a canvas, and an art community that will be twiddling their thumbs until 2029. Just remember: if you can’t visit them, at least they’ll all be nice and shiny when they reopen—hopefully not with art represented solely by a pyramid of empty coffee cups and renovation debris.
The main building of the Kunstmuseum Basel, which originally opened its doors to the public in 1936, is set to undergo significant renovation. Recently, it was revealed that the financial requirements for this extensive renovation project have escalated beyond initial projections, prompting the Basel government to approve an additional funding of 7.5 million francs. These necessary renovations are slated to span a period of four years, with work expected to commence no earlier than 2029.
The main building was constructed between 1931 and 1936, following meticulous plans conceptualized by prominent architects Paul Bonatz and Rudolf Christ. As part of the recent financial assessment, it was determined that the previously approved amount of 4.7 million francs sanctioned in 2015 would fall short for the continued planning of the project. The Finance Commission of the Grand Council had been duly informed and provided its approval for the additional funds. According to the government’s announcement, this new funding now encompasses planning costs for temporary arrangements, rental expenses for the relocation of parts of the art museum during renovations, as well as necessary archaeological work and logistics concerning the relocation process. Consequently, the total expenditure for developing the construction project has reached a sum of 12.2 million francs. The government’s strategy involves finalizing the construction project details and subsequently advising the Grand Council on progress and requirements. Notably, a cost ceiling of 184 million francs has been established for the renovation of the main building; however, this does not encapsulate the costs related to construction, temporary relocations during the closure, or archaeological endeavors. These projected costs are currently undergoing verification by external evaluators, as stated by government officials.
The renovation work is scheduled to start in 2029 at the earliest, a delay from earlier projections. Previously, the canton had anticipated that construction may commence as early as mid-2027. During the four-year renovation phase, the main building will be entirely closed to the public. However, the museum’s visitors will still have access to exhibition spaces through the new building established in 2016 and the Haus Aktuell, ensuring that the art museum continues to engage with the public despite the ongoing renovations. (since/never)
**Interview with Art Critic and Comedian, Alex Rundle, on the Kunstmuseum Basel Renovation**
**Editor:** Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Alex Rundle, an art critic known for his witty comedic take on the world of art and culture. Alex, thanks for joining us!
**Alex Rundle:** Thanks for having me! Always excited to share a chuckle or two about art—and the absurdity of renovation budgets!
**Editor:** So, let’s dive right in. The Kunstmuseum Basel’s renovation has turned into a bit of a spectacle, hasn’t it? What are your thoughts on the additional 7.5 million francs added to the original budget?
**Alex Rundle:** Oh, absolutely! At this point, I’m convinced that the planners are trying to create a new art form: “Abstract Budgeting.” I mean, it’s rich, even for Swiss art standards! You’d think they were trying to fund a trip to Mars, not simply slap some paint on the walls.
**Editor:** You mentioned in your commentary that the renovation won’t even start until 2029. How does that feel for the art-loving public?
**Alex Rundle:** It’s quite the timeline! Honestly, it feels a bit like waiting for that long-promised sequel to your favorite movie—one that just never seems to arrive. If you’re anything like me, you have no idea what you’ll be doing next week, let alone in six years. Meanwhile, we’ll have to keep ourselves entertained with the current exhibits, possibly by critiquing the other art pieces and pretending they’re our friends!
**Editor:** The original budget back in 2015 also seems comically low now. What do you think went wrong in the initial planning?
**Alex Rundle:** I can just picture the budget meeting: “How much do we need? A few million? Sure, let’s throw a dart and see where it lands!” It feels a bit like they were playing Monopoly with real money! Perhaps they thought the museum could magically reinvent itself with mere pocket change.
**Editor:** And then we have the possibility of a staggering maximum cost ceiling of 184 million francs! Any thoughts on that?
**Alex Rundle:** Ah yes, the good old “while we’re at it” approach—where renovations spiral into major overhauls! I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve got plans for an art-outfitted rollercoaster ride next to minimalist European art! Who doesn’t love a gold-plated toilet seat in the curator’s office?
**Editor:** It does sound like the renovation could become a fascinating saga in itself. What do you hope for the Kunstmuseum Basel during these years of waiting?
**Alex Rundle:** I hope they at least keep us entertained with frequent updates—and maybe a comedy series about the ongoing chaos! It could be like a reality show, “Kunstmuseum Renos: Dragging Our Feet, One Milli at a Time.” Besides, art deserves a good laugh occasionally; it can get pretty serious, after all!
**Editor:** Well, it looks like we have much to look forward to while we wait until 2029. Thank you, Alex, for your hilarious insights!
**Alex Rundle:** Thanks for having me! Remember, art may be timeless, but renovations sure aren’t!
**Editor:** And that wraps up our discussion on the Kunstmuseum Basel renovation. Stay tuned for more updates, hopefully with fewer comical budget misfires!