Art Market's 2020: Digital Turn, Hybrid Auctions, and BLM's Rise

In 2020, the art market faced unprecedented disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing a rapid digital transformation. The secondary market, led by Sotheby's and Christie's, pivoted to hybrid and cross-category auctions, combining live streaming with physical presence and diversifying catalogs to include everything from Impressionist works to a T-Rex skeleton named Stan. The primary market struggled with gallery closures and canceled fairs, but fostered community collaboration through shared virtual projects. Art Workers Italia emerged to advocate for fairer, more transparent conditions. Meanwhile, Black Lives Matter topped ArtReview's Power 100 list, symbolizing a global reckoning with racial justice and decolonization. The year highlighted both vulnerability and resilience, with technology enabling broader access to pricing information.