Art Basel 2020 scrapped over virus uncertainties, despite lockdown ease in some countries

Despite having been postponed, organisers decided to cancel the art fair amid health risks, and focus instead on putting its best foot forward in 2021.

By AFP Relaxnews / 9 Jun 2020

A visitor snaps a picture of a giant crucifix, work by artist Valentin Carron, on June 9, 2009 at the entrance of the Art Basel, the world's premier modern and contemporary art fair which will takes place from June 10 to 14 in Basel. The international art show features 300 leading art galleries from all continents. 20th- and 21st-century art works by over 2,500 artists are on display. More than 60,000 art collectors, art dealers, artists, curators and art lovers are expected to attend the annual meeting place of the art community. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI

Art Basel, COVID-19

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Art Basel, the world's biggest contemporary art fair, cancelled its 2020 edition in Switzerland due to the coronavirus pandemic. The fair had already been postponed from June to September but organisers finally pulled the plug, saying there were too many uncertainties to stage the international show, which will return in 2021.

"Art Basel regrets to announce that the 2020 edition in Basel has been cancelled," it said in a statement. "While there are signs of hope as individual countries are coming out of lockdown, the global situation remains precarious and, unfortunately, too many uncertainties remain to go ahead with the fair."

It said those included limitations on intercontinental travel, the health risks posed by large gatherings, and doubts over whether Swiss Covid-19 regulations would allow large public events.

"We believe that the best option concerning the Basel show is to focus on next year's edition and delivering a fair of the exceptional international quality that the art world expects," it added.

The 2021 Basel fair will run from June 17 to 21.

The Swiss government stopped short of imposing full confinement to combat the coronavirus pandemic. But the restrictions it brought in led to the cancellation of major events, including the Geneva Motor Show and the main watch fairs. While events for up to 300 people can now go ahead with appropriate protection measures, events for more than 1,000 people remain banned until Aug 31.

While Art Basel is based in its Swiss home city, its success has led to additional annual events in Miami since 2002, and in Hong Kong since 2013.

This year's Hong Kong event, scheduled for mid-March, was cancelled because of the pandemic and will return next year, though Miami Beach is still scheduled to go ahead from Dec 3 to 6.

Art Basel, COVID-19