Maurizio Cattelan’s pranks have been compared—at least in provocative intent—to the transgressive actions of his illustrious predecessor and fellow countryman Piero Manzoni. The two Italians are similarly connected by their ironic evocation of religion, evident in Cattelan’s eyebrow-raising installation with a buried fakir at this summer’s Venice Biennale. Following a similar line for this one-man show in predominantly Protestant Basel, Cattelan will roll out the red carpet—enough to cover the Kunsthalle’s entire first floor—for the surprise visit of a contemporary pop-religious icon. Given the artist and the context, one can only imagine whom to expect. A catalogue documenting the project is planned, with an essay by Madeleine Schuppli, the Kunsthalle curator who organized the exhibition.

— Elizabeth Janus