Basel always offered everybody an other chance. Small in size, easy to meet and know everyone, it was an open liberal humanistic city. The Restaurant Kunsthalle was the genius loci. Being in the circle of Felix Handschin (Gallerist), Dieter Roth (Artist), Peter Rüedi (Dramaturgist), Robert Stalder (GGK), Martin Suter (Writer) and the Oeri’s (Roche) was like living on the stage of life. When someone left, another character took his part over. Art and Basel became synonymous, but someday you have to leave Basel to stay in love with it.

The excentric couture FRED SPILLMANN, when he crossed the street, Paris was closer than Basel.