Art Basel Cancels Abu Dhabi Event 'Art Basel Inside' Planned for February 2020
Art Basel has announced the cancellation of 'Art Basel Inside,' a three-day event planned for February 2020 in Abu Dhabi. This initiative, developed in collaboration with Abu Dhabi's department of culture and tourism by Marc-Olivier Wahler, was intended to include thematic journeys, site-specific installations, performances, and workshops addressing themes such as intelligence and sustainability. Tickets were set to be priced at $5,000, which would include accommodation and dining experiences. Despite the enthusiasm and backing for the project, Art Basel cited an ambitious scope coupled with a tight timeline as reasons for halting the event, which would have coincided with Frieze Los Angeles. Meanwhile, MCH Group is undergoing restructuring to concentrate on its core fair operations, while Art Basel's events in Basel, Miami, and Hong Kong are still on track.
Key facts
- Art Basel canceled 'Art Basel Inside,' a three-day event planned for Abu Dhabi in February 2020.
- The event was not an art fair or part of Art Basel's 'cities' consultancy program.
- It was programmed in partnership with Abu Dhabi's department of culture and tourism by art historian Marc-Olivier Wahler.
- Announced in September, it promised thematic journeys, site-specific installations, performances, dialogues, and workshops with tech and science speakers.
- Tickets cost $5,000, including accommodation and curated culinary experiences but not flights, as reported by Artnet.
- Art Basel cited an ambitious project with a short timeline and inability to move forward despite excitement and partner support.
- The event dates overlapped with Frieze Los Angeles.
- Parent company MCH Group is restructuring to focus on core fair business, scaling back live event production.
Entities
Artists
- Marc-Olivier Wahler
Institutions
- Art Basel
- Abu Dhabi's department of culture and tourism
- Artnet
- Art News
- Frieze Los Angeles
- MCH Group
Locations
- Abu Dhabi
- Basel
- Miami
- Hong Kong
- Buenos Aires
- Los Angeles