Art Basel Paris Closes Early Amid Protests; Podcast Examines Latin American Culture Wars and a Chinese Celestial Map

This week, Art Basel Paris commenced at the Grand Palais but will conclude on Friday, not reopening for the weekend due to protests in the French capital. Prior to this announcement, Ben Sutton, the global editor-in-chief of The Art Newspaper, and chief contributing editor Gareth Harris explored the fair and its accompanying events, sharing insights on their podcast. Meanwhile, Brazil prepares for elections this weekend amidst a surge of rightwing governments, often supported by US President Donald Trump, with cultural issues at the forefront. In Bogotá, Colombian President Abelardo de la Espriella has ordered the removal of LGBTQ+ and feminist artifacts from the Museo Nacional, igniting protests. The episode features the “Blue China” Celestial Map by Yunyou Sanren, created in 1822, discussed by digital editor Alexander Morrison and co-curator John Tresch. Art Basel Paris will run until October 23, while Night Maps will be available until April 17, 2027.