Beijing's Gallery Weekend indefinitely postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions
The indefinite postponement of Gallery Weekend Beijing comes as China continues its 'Zero COVID' strategy. Originally set to kick off on 27 May, the event was planned to span nine days filled with openings and activities. On Friday, local authorities in Beijing restricted non-essential services in certain areas and initiated mass testing in others, seeking to prevent a total lockdown similar to the month-long curfew experienced in Shanghai. Participating local galleries included Asia Art Centre, Magician Space, and White Space, while international participants like Sadie Coles HQ, Sprüth Magers, Almine Rech, and Timothy Taylor were also involved. Art dealers will transition tours and discussions to an online format instead. Beijing currently sees a rolling average of 46 new symptomatic cases daily among its 22 billion residents.
Key facts
- Gallery Weekend Beijing postponed indefinitely
- Event was scheduled to begin 27 May
- Beijing banned non-essential services in some districts
- Mass testing implemented in other districts
- City trying to avoid Shanghai-style total shutdown
- Local galleries Asia Art Centre, Magician Space, White Space involved
- International galleries Sadie Coles HQ, Sprüth Magers, Almine Rech, Timothy Taylor planned presentations
- Tours and talks moving online instead
Entities
Institutions
- Asia Art Centre
- Magician Space
- White Space
- Sadie Coles HQ
- Sprüth Magers
- Almine Rech
- Timothy Taylor
- Gallery Weekend Beijing
Locations
- Beijing
- China
- Shanghai