Lüdenscheid/Basel, June 2026 — ERCO is now the official lighting partner of Art Basel. Starting with Art Basel in Basel in June 2026, the German lighting specialist ERCO will provide the lighting infrastructure for the world’s leading art fair. ERCO developed a lighting solution specifically tailored to the requirements of a global fair format together with Expomobilia, Art Basel’s production partner within MCH Group. In the future, this infrastructure will be used not only in Basel but also at other international Art Basel shows.
“For a project of this scale, we were looking for a partner capable of combining the highest standards of lighting quality with the operational requirements of a global traveling event,” explains Jessica Gauvin, managing director of Expomobilia. “ERCO convinced us not only technologically, but also supported the process collaboratively from the beginning.”
A partnership for the highest curatorial standards
At art fairs, lighting plays a decisive role in how artworks are perceived. It directs attention, supports spatial orientation, and influences the appearance of colors, materials, and surfaces. Particularly in the context of commercial galleries, the demands are exceptionally high: exhibitions change frequently, presentations need to remain flexible, while consistently ensuring the highest quality of light. ERCO contributes decades of experience in lighting galleries, museums, and cultural institutions worldwide. At the core is a lighting approach that combines precise optics, flexible light distributions, and high efficiency.
Developed for a global fair environment
The requirements of Art Basel extend far beyond conventional exhibition lighting. The infrastructure must operate reliably at different venues worldwide, allow for rapid installation, and withstand the logistical demands of an international fair operation. Together with Expomobilia, ERCO therefore developed a modular lighting system featuring spotlights with interchangeable optics and durable LED technology. In addition, a dedicated transport and logistics concept with specially developed flight cases was created for repeated worldwide use. “Art Basel is not a static venue, but a global platform,” says Jessica Gauvin. “The solution therefore had to be equally flexible, robust, and efficient.”
Sustainability through long-term use
Sustainability considerations also played a key role in the development of the new lighting infrastructure. The luminaires are designed for long-term use over a period of more than 20 years and across multiple international editions of the fair. ERCO follows an approach that focuses not only on energy efficiency, but also on high lighting effectiveness with minimal spill light. Precise light distribution directs the light specifically onto the artworks, enabling the applied light output to be used efficiently. “Reducing our ecological footprint is an important objective within our sustainability strategy,” explains Lea Matern, Sustainability Manager at MCH Group.
Expertise for commercial galleries
The partnership with Art Basel further underlines ERCO’s expertise in the field of commercial gallery lighting. Unlike traditional museum settings, lighting solutions in this sector must respond to changing exhibitions, variable hanging arrangements, and short conversion cycles. ERCO’s current “Guide to Lighting Design for Art Galleries” demonstrates how lighting can be strategically used to support curatorial quality, flexibility, and efficient operation. Following Art Basel in Basel 2026, ERCO will document the project in a detailed case study, offering further insights into technical implementation, logistics, and global fair operations.
Further information on gallery lighting with ERCO, including planning tools and a downloadable whitepaper, is available on the ERCO website.
About Art Basel
Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world’s premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, Paris, and Qatar. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has expanded through new digital platforms including Zero 10 and the Art Basel App, and initiatives such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report and Survey of Global Collecting, Art Basel Awards, and Art Basel Shop. For further information, please visit artbasel.com.
About ERCO
ERCO is an international specialist for high-quality and digital architectural lighting. The family-owned company, founded in 1934, operates globally in 55 countries with independent sales organisations and partners.
ERCO understands light as the fourth dimension of architecture – and thus as an integral part of sustainable building. Light is the contribution to making society and architecture better and, at the same time, preserving our environment. ERCO Greenology® – the corporate strategy for sustainable lighting – combines ecological responsibility with technological expertise.
At the light factory in Lüdenscheid, Germany, ERCO develops, designs and manufactures luminaires with a focus on photometric optics, electronics and sustainable design. The lighting tools are developed in close collaboration with architects, lighting designers and electrical designers. They are used primarily in the following applications: Work and Culture, Community and Public/Outdoor, Contemplation, Living, Shop and Hospitality. ERCO lighting experts support designers worldwide in transforming their projects into reality with highly precise, efficient and sustainable lighting solutions.
Cover Photo: ERCO becomes official lighting partner of Art Basel: The new lighting infrastructure was specifically developed for the requirements of international art fairs – combining high lighting quality, flexible light distributions, and global scalability.
© Courtesy Art Basel
