Every March, people from all over the world are looking forward to international art exhibitions in Hong Kong. Art Basel Hong Kong has always been the spotlight during this period. By then, numerous art lovers will flood into Hong Kong for this huge festival. According to the past amount of sales, it could always be described as a great success in every Art Basel Hong Kong.
However, this prosperity might not be seen this year. Hong Kong, which was already unstable due to the protest for months, now try hard to ward off the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). As the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency on January 31, most international airlines began to suspend flights to and from China. The Hong Kong government announced the decision of temporary closure of classes and public facilities. Besides, they also encourage public servants to work from home until February 8.
The original art exhibition in Basel, Hong Kong, which was originally planned to be held from March 19 to March 21 this year, will bear the brunt. Considering the impact of coronavirus, the Art Basel Hong Kong which is planned to hold from March 19 to March 21, now is facing the canceling this time. Some galleries urge Art Basel need to cancel right away because their clients or artists were reported they had no intention to participate in this exhibition. According to Bloomberg, 24 galleries have signed in early January asking Art Basel to reduce 50% of the booth price. After coordination, Art Basel is willing to provide the offer for large galleries to change the booth size or discount, however, galleries and art dealers still concern about the impact of coronavirus. For now, three galleries have announced their withdrawal from the exhibition, including New York's Tyler Rollins Fine Art, Toyko's SCAI The Bathhouse and Luxembourg & Dayan, which is based in both New York and London.
As ARTnews reported, Art Basel stated that they are carefully reviewing all the possibilities. Deciding to cancel or postpone the exhibition will be a difficult task for them, especially, when it comes to the lengthy coordination process with the galleries and art dealers.
Now whether Art Basel Hong Kong will be held needs to be confirmed.
Reference:
Dealers Call on Art Basel to Cancel Hong Kong Show Over Virus Fears by Katya Kazakina by Katya Kazakina , Bloomberg
Link: www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-30/dealers-call-on-art-basel-to-cancel-hong-kong-show-on-virus-fear
Top Galleries Release Letter to Art Basel Hong Kong Calling for Concessions Amid Political Turmoil by Tessa Solomon, ARTnews
Link: www.artnews.com/art-news/news/galleries-letter-art-basel-hong-kong-1202676266/
