1. ANASTASIA BAY / Venus Over Manhattan
Paris-born and Brussels-based Anastasia Bay presents Maestra Lacrymae Acte V, a multi-dimensional installation created exclusively for Art Basel. This work builds upon Bay’s recent solo exhibition, which blends painting, opera, and historical myths. The installation features a suite of three large paintings on uniquely shaped panels and a monumental Harlequin puppet first introduced in Maestra Lacrymae. This nearly five-meter-tall puppet draws inspiration from giant puppets often seen in Belgian festivals like the Nord Carnival and appears in Bay's paintings towering above crowds. For Bay, this character embodies themes of transformation and resilience, connecting historical myth with contemporary identity. Maestra Lacrymae Acte V is on view at the M17 booth.