Art Basel Cancels 2020 Flagship Fair

Art Basel ©Sylvain_Deleu_Artbasel_ 1

Art Basel has announced that after an extensive analysis of the current global situation, due to the Coronavirus pandemic they will not be presenting their flagship Basel show this year. The fair was scheduled to take place at Messe Basel from September 17 to September 20, 2020, after having previously been postponed from the usual June slot.

We are acutely aware that our galleries are facing unprecedented challenges and economic difficulties – MS

The decision to cancel the show was made after thorough consultation with many Art Basel gallerists, collectors, partners, as well as external experts. The primary considerations were the fundamental health and safety risks related to the pandemic, the financial risks for exhibitors and partners, the ongoing impediments to international travel, and the fact that the regulatory environment around large-scale events has yet to be finalized by the Swiss Federal Council.

Marc Spiegler, Global Director, Art Basel said: ‘We are acutely aware that our galleries are facing unprecedented challenges and economic difficulties, and we had fervently hoped to support the art market’s recovery with a successful fair in September. Unfortunately, the uncertainties that we face remain too high. The best way forward for our Basel show is, therefore, to focus on delivering a fair of the same exceptional international quality that the art world expects from us next June, as we continue to support our galleries by further developing our digital platforms and by delivering our upcoming shows in Miami Beach and Hong Kong.’

The Online Viewing Rooms for Art Basel in Basel’s exhibitors will be live from June 19 to June 26, 2020, with preview days from June 17 to June 19, 2020.

The next edition of Art Basel in Basel will take place from June 17 to June 20, 2021, with preview days on June 15 and June 16, 2021.

Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world’s premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, and Hong Kong. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital platforms and several new initiatives such as The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report and The BMW Art Journey. For further information, please visit artbasel.com.

Photo: © Sylvain Deleu Artlyst 2020

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