24 Galleries Urge Art Basel to Cancel or Reform Hong Kong Fair Amid Protests
On January 16, 2020, a group of twenty-four international galleries reached out to Marc Spiegler, the global director of Art Basel, and Adeline Ooi, the director for Hong Kong. They expressed concerns that 2020 would be "not a good year" for the fair because of ongoing political protests in Hong Kong. Their requests included a 50% decrease in stand fees, options for downsizing without penalties, extended payment deadlines until the end of February, and reasonable insurance provisions. Art Basel rejected the fee reduction, citing financial sustainability issues. The fair has offered discounts and a 75% refund for cancellations. Three galleries—Luxembourg & Dayan, Tyler Rollins Fine Art, and SCAI The Bathhouse—have opted out. Scheduled for March 19–21, 2020, the event has 241 galleries confirmed.
Key facts
- 24 galleries sent a letter to Art Basel directors on January 16, 2020, calling 2020 'not a good year' for the Hong Kong fair.
- Galleries requested 50% stand fee reduction, ability to downsize stands, payment extension to end of February, and insurance coverage.
- Art Basel refused the 50% fee reduction, citing financial unsustainability.
- Art Basel offered discounts on stands, hotels, and restaurants, and promised 75% reimbursement if the fair is canceled.
- Three galleries have withdrawn: Luxembourg & Dayan, Tyler Rollins Fine Art, and SCAI The Bathhouse.
- Signatory galleries include 303 Gallery, Miguel Abreu Gallery, Alfonso Artiaco, Blum & Poe, Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, Gavin Brown's enterprise, Paula Cooper Gallery, Pilar Corrias, Galerie Chantal Crousel, Thomas Dane Gallery, Fortes D'Aloia & Gabriel, François Ghebaly, Greene Naftali, Herald St, Lévy Gorvy, Lisson Gallery, Matthew Marks Gallery, Fergus McCaffrey, kamel mennour, Metro Pictures, OMR, Nara Roesler, Lia Rumma, and Sprüth Magers.
- Art Basel reports VIP registrations are in line with previous years, with an increase from mainland China.
- The fair runs March 19–21, 2020, at the Convention and Exhibition Centre, with 241 galleries participating.
Entities
Artists
- Annie Leibovitz
Institutions
- Art Basel
- Hauser & Wirth
- Luxembourg & Dayan
- Tyler Rollins Fine Art
- SCAI The Bathhouse
- 303 Gallery
- Miguel Abreu Gallery
- Alfonso Artiaco
- Blum & Poe
- Tanya Bonakdar Gallery
- Gavin Brown's enterprise
- Paula Cooper Gallery
- Pilar Corrias
- Galerie Chantal Crousel
- Thomas Dane Gallery
- Fortes D'Aloia & Gabriel
- François Ghebaly
- Greene Naftali
- Herald St
- Lévy Gorvy
- Lisson Gallery
- Matthew Marks Gallery
- Fergus McCaffrey
- kamel mennour
- Metro Pictures
- OMR
- Nara Roesler
- Lia Rumma
- Sprüth Magers
- artnet
- Artribune
Locations
- Hong Kong
- New York
- London
- Tokyo
- China
- Convention and Exhibition Centre