Art Basel Curbs Pre-Fair Sales, Volta Returns, and More Art Industry News
Art Basel has introduced a 'Basel Exclusive' program aimed at reducing PDF pre-sales, with 170 out of 232 exhibitors involved from June 16 to 21. Meanwhile, Volta will return to Basel's Congress Center from June 17 to 21, showcasing around 70 exhibitors and a '5,000 Edit' collection priced below CHF 5,000. The alternative fair Esther is set to host its third edition at New York's Estonia House from May 12 to 16. Sotheby's New York achieved a U.S. record for design auctions, totaling $96 million. Additionally, Mitchell P. Rales has committed $116 million to the National Gallery of Art. Starting September 8, Lynda Roscoe Hartigan will take over as director of the Smithsonian American Art Museum. The Venice Biennale jury plans to disqualify countries facing ICC charges from receiving top awards.
Key facts
- Art Basel launches 'Basel Exclusive' to curb pre-fair sales, 170 of 232 exhibitors opt in.
- Volta returns to Basel with 70 exhibitors and new '5,000 Edit' under CHF 5,000.
- Esther fair third edition in New York's Estonia House May 12-16 during Frieze Week.
- Fair Warning app launches 'No Warning' sealed-bidding sale format.
- Sotheby's de Gunzburg collection sale totals $96 million, U.S. record for design auctions.
- Claude Lalanne mirrors for Yves St. Laurent sell for $33.5 million, a record for a single design work.
- Victoria Miro now represents Shahzia Sikander with Sean Kelly; Alma Berrow joins Megan Mulrooney; Fine Arts, Sydney reps John Nixon estate.
- Gladstone to move to new Seoul space in Hannam-dong in late summer 2026.
- The Box in Los Angeles closes after 19 years; final show with Parker Gallery for Wally Hedrick.
- Mitchell P. Rales pledges $116 million to National Gallery of Art for loan program.
- Lynda Roscoe Hartigan named director of Smithsonian American Art Museum, starts September 8.
- Louvre renovation jury meets mid-May to review five shortlisted proposals for $778 million project.
- Student artwork referencing Leon Black's Epstein ties removed from Dartmouth exhibition.
- Judd Foundation names Alexandra Cunningham Cameron director of design.
- Morgan Art Foundation awarded $102 million in Robert Indiana forgery case.
- Venice Biennale excludes Israel and Russia from top awards due to ICC charges.
- Turner Prize shortlist: Simeon Barclay, Kira Frieje, Marguerite Humeau, Tanoa Sasraku; winner announced December 10.
Entities
Artists
- Shahzia Sikander
- Alma Berrow
- John Nixon
- Wally Hedrick
- Robert Indiana
- Claude Lalanne
- François-Xavier Lalanne
- Yves St. Laurent
- Simeon Barclay
- Kira Frieje
- Marguerite Humeau
- Tanoa Sasraku
- Leon Black
- Jeffrey Epstein
- Mitchell P. Rales
- Lynda Roscoe Hartigan
- Alexandra Cunningham Cameron
- Minsuk Cho
- Belu-Simion Fainaru
- Emmanuel Macron
Institutions
- Art Basel
- Volta
- Esther
- Sotheby's
- Victoria Miro
- Sean Kelly Gallery
- Megan Mulrooney Gallery
- Fine Arts, Sydney
- Gladstone Gallery
- Mass Studies
- The Box
- Parker Gallery
- National Gallery of Art
- Glenstone Museum
- Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Peabody Essex Museum
- Louvre
- Judd Foundation
- Morgan Art Foundation
- Venice Biennale
- International Criminal Court
- Turner Prize
- Teesside University
- Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA)
- Dartmouth College
- Black Family Visual Arts Center
- 99 Loop Gallery
- Galerie Escobar
- Studio Arrows
- Kerry Schuss Gallery
- Kogo Gallery
- Longtermhandstand
- Fair Warning
- Artnet News
- ARTnews
- New York Times
- Le Figaro
- Reuters
- The Dartmouth
Locations
- Basel
- Switzerland
- New York
- United States
- Seoul
- South Korea
- Hannam-dong
- Yongsan
- Los Angeles
- Washington, D.C.
- Massachusetts
- Paris
- France
- Venice
- Italy
- Israel
- Russia
- United Kingdom
- Middlesbrough
- Tartu
- Estonia
- Budapest
- Hungary
- Marseille
- Tokyo
- Japan
- Sydney
- Australia
- South Africa