Rehberger-Weg: Art between vineyards

Art in the vineyards in the middle of the agglomeration around Basel? It is precisely this combination that can be experienced on the Rehberger Trail between the Fondation Beyeler in Riehen and the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein. Over a length of around five kilometres, the newly created path connects two municipalities and two important cultural institutions in the region. Along the way, there are “waymarks” by the artist Tobias Rehberger. Colourful installations that make you think, invite you to deal more intensively with the surroundings or elicit a smile. The entire project is embedded in the International Building Exhibition (IBA) Basel 2020, which is taking place in the trinational agglomeration of Basel. The aim of the IBA is to search for sustainable, cross-community solutions for the design of public space.

We were on the Rehberger trail last autumn. But I haven’t gotten around to presenting this excursion tip to you yet. The completion of the path at the beginning of June (in autumn only 12 of the 24 art installations were set up along the way) and the opening of the Schaudepot in the Vitra Design Museum reminded me of this pendingness. On 3 June, a new building – the Schaudepot – by Herzog & de Meuron will be inaugurated on the Vitra Campus. The extensive collection of furniture will thus be made accessible to the public.

The Rehberger Trail starts directly in front of the Vitra Campus and leads into the idyllically situated vineyards on the slope of the Tüllinger Berg. It’s not just the art installations that encourage us to stop, but also the phenomenal view towards Basel. Always in the picture is the new Roche Tower, which rises slightly lost from the flat city skyline. The short hike, which can be easily done with sneakers, ends (or starts – depending on the direction of walking) at the Fondation Beyeler, where the exhibition is dedicated to Alexander Calder and Fischli/Weiss from 29 May to 4 September 2016. I would think that this successful combination of culture and nature is reason enough to make a detour to the northwesternmost tip of Switzerland on the agenda.

More information about the project “24 Stops” Rehberger-Weg including maps can be found on the official homepage. Last autumn – when we walked the trail in beautiful weather, the first 12 waypoints were installed. As of June 2016, the trail will be completed and can be experienced with all 24 waymarks. If you are interested in the projects of IBA Basel 2020, you will find an overview of all projects under the “Project Landscape”.

Note: we explored Basel and the surrounding area last autumn at the invitation of Basel Tourism. You can find more tips about Basel in the corresponding travel guide and as always, these are our own impressions.