Art Basel’s September 2020 show gets cancelled. Instead, brings in Online Viewing Rooms as its digital platform for June 2020.
Reflecting on the current paradigm and the impacts of the pandemic, Art Basel cancels its 2020 show that was scheduled to take place at Messe Basel from September 17 to September 20, 2020.
The decision to cancel the show was made after thorough consultation with many Art Basel gallerists, collectors, partners, as well as external experts. Keeping in mind 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 quotes that the best way forward for Basel show is to focus on delivering the next June edition as they continue to develop their digital platforms and deliver their upcoming shows in Miami Beach and Hong Kong.
The Online Viewing Rooms for Art Basel in Basel’s exhibitors are live from June 19 to June 26, 2020, with preview days from June 17 to June 19, 2020. While 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.
Art Basel’s Online Viewing Rooms: Further Details and Highlights The June edition of Art Basel’s Online Viewing Rooms will feature an international lineup of 282 leading galleries from 35 countries and territories across Europe, North and South America, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. An events program consisting of live-streamed talks, curator tours, as well as digital events staged by galleries – from studio tours to performance – will accompany this second edition. The Oline Viewing Rooms feature for the Collectors, over 4000 exceptional works from the Modern to post war and contemporary, including painting, sculpture, drawings, installation, and photography, as well as video and digital works.
Several galleries are presenting thematic viewing rooms reflecting on the current paradigm and the impacts of the pandemic. While some galleries will use their exhibition spaces in parallel to their participation in the Online Viewing Rooms. Over 20 galleries in Berlin are taking part in the BaselbyBerlin project where they will be physically installing works from their online booths in their own galleries, so that collectors can see in person the works featured on the Art Basel platform.
The second edition of the Online Viewing Rooms will offer new features, such as the capability for users to ‘like’ and share their favourite works. Videos can now be embedded for every artwork, allowing galleries options such as close-up shots or short clips of artists talking about their own works.
In addition to the exceptional presentations of the highest-quality works by Art Basel galleries, the second edition of the Online Viewing Rooms is also featuring a range of programs throughout the duration to foster conversations and provide greater context to the galleries’ presentations. Through its digital platform, Art Basel is hoping to provide strong support to its galleries and their artists as the art world continues to navigate these difficult times. The Online Viewing Rooms are available via the Art Basel website and the Art Basel App.
Image Credits: Art Basel, Switzerland