Kanye West makes surprise appearance at Art Basel amid Tampa concert backlash

• Bianca Censori stars in Vanessa Beecroft's film installation at Art Basel Switzerland
• Kanye West made a surprise appearance during the event's VIP preview days
• Tampa Sports Authority says no taxpayer money funds the upcoming Ye concerts'

Kanye West made a surprise appearance at Art Basel in Switzerland on the event's VIP preview days, drawing immediate attention at one of the most exclusive gatherings in the art world. His wife, Bianca Censori, stars in Untitled (Izanami) — a film installation by artist Vanessa Beecroft — which was presented at the fair.

Many who spotted West at the preview assumed he had attended to support Censori, Artnews reported. However, the Chicago rapper shares a long creative history with Beecroft that predates his marriage.

A long collaboration

West and Beecroft have worked together for years. Their most high-profile collaboration came in 2016, when Beecroft staged a striking performance at Madison Square Garden for what became a landmark evening — the night the Grammy-winning rapper unveiled both his album The Life of Pablo and his Yeezy Season 3 collection. Beecroft has also previously collaborated with Kim Kardashian, West's former wife.

Tampa concert backlash

West's Art Basel appearance coincided with mounting pressure over his scheduled performance in Tampa in late June. A section of public figures has voiced opposition to the concert, citing the Donda rapper's controversial past remarks.

The Tampa Sports Authority — the governing body of Raymond James Stadium, where the concerts are to be held — appeared to respond directly to critics in a statement.

"We condemn antisemitism from any source. However, we also respect free speech rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution, even when we disagree with that speech. In addition, no taxpayer money is being used for staging the Ye concerts. To suggest otherwise is false," the statement read.