A Brief Art History of the Dot

Artwork in different shades of yellow
This exhibition is available in
German
French
English
The Fondation Beyeler’s new collection display
The Fondation Beyeler’s new collection display focuses on the dot and explores different aspects of the dot within its artistic development from the late 19th century to the present day.
The Fondation Beyeler’s new collection display focuses on the dot and thus picks up on a central motif in the work of Yayoi Kusama, to whom the museum is simultaneously dedicating a major retrospective. The exhibition explores different aspects of the dot within its artistic development from the late 19th century to the present day. A very small round mark, a spot, speck or splatter, the dot is the smallest pictorial element, a basic geometric concept and can be both a sign and a symbol of creative and spiritual significance.

The multifaceted nature of dots in art ranges from pointillism and abstraction to pop art and contemporary art. The dot functions as an abstract compositional element; in its figurative dimension, however, it can also become a tiny celestial body. From an emotional perspective, it can be a point of pain and pleasure and forms the basis of visual perception as a point of light and focus. In this way, the exhibition also considers the dot from a sensual perspective.

Works by the following artists, among others, will be exhibited: Louise Bourgeois, Paul Cezanne, Max Ernst, Alberto Giacometti, Félix González-Torres, Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Roy Lichtenstein, Henri Matisse, Joan Mitchell, Joan Miró, Piet Mondrian, Claude Monet, Barnett Newman, Elizabeth Peyton, Pablo Picasso, Sigmar Polke, Jackson Pollock, Doris Salcedo, Wolfgang Tillmans, Vincent van Gogh and Andy Warhol.
Address
Baselstrasse 101
4125
Riehen
+41 61 645 97 00
Opening hours
Content available online
Events in this museum
Öffentlicher Ausstellungsrundgang (FR) «Yayoi Kusama»
Event

Visite accompagnée en français Aperçu de l'exposition en cours Prix: billet d'entrée + CHF 7 https://shop.fondationbeyeler.ch/de/tickets.html

Installation view “A Brief Art History of the Dot", Fondation Beyeler, Riehen/Basel, 2025 Photo: Mark Niedermann
Event

Whether it's music, food or books – we all have our favourites in every area of life. The same goes for art. In an open exchange with visitors, the young staff of the Fondation Beyeler will present ...

Family Tour – in German "Yayoi Kusama"
Event

The interactive family tour for children aged six to ten, accompanied by their parents, offer a playful experience of art for young and old alike [in German]. Children up to 10 years old: CHF 7.00 / ...

Public Tour in German "Yayoi Kusama"
Event
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This public tour enables visitors to explore the current exhibition at the Fondation Beyeler in greater depth. CHF 25.00 / 20.00 / 15.00

Public Tour in German "Yayoi Kusama"
Event
-

This public tour enables visitors to explore the current exhibition at the Fondation Beyeler in greater depth. CHF 25.00 / 20.00 / 15.00

Art Appreciation for Visitors with Dementia – Collection, in German
Event

This museum tour looks in detail at selected works in the exhibition and, as part of a group conversation, gathers and shares the many observations, thoughts, memories and associations they call forth ...

Architecture Tour – in German
Event

This tour provides fascinating insights into Renzo Piano's museum architecture.

Öffentlicher Ausstellungsrundgang (FR) «Yayoi Kusama»
Event

Visite accompagnée en français Aperçu de l'exposition en cours Prix: billet d'entrée + CHF 7 https://shop.fondationbeyeler.ch/de/tickets.html

Family Tour – in German "Yayoi Kusama"
Event

The interactive family tour for children aged six to ten, accompanied by their parents, offer a playful experience of art for young and old alike [in German]. Children up to 10 years old: CHF 7.00 / ...

Public Tour in German "Yayoi Kusama"
Event
-

This public tour enables visitors to explore the current exhibition at the Fondation Beyeler in greater depth. CHF 25.00 / 20.00 / 15.00

Museumsnacht
Event

Immerse yourself in the colorful, boundless imagination of the legendary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama and get an exclusive preview of the upcoming exhibition of the Provençal master painter Paul ...