How Covid-19 is affecting the art world.
It has been quite something watching the news about Covid-19 swell and affect all parts of the world and all different sectors.
Earlier in the year Art Basel Hong Kong was cancelled though Hong Kong had other troubles already.
Art Dubai where I personally know galleries who have had incredible sales, was reformatted from an international fair to a regional one, basically focussing on art from around the UAE , in an effort to stem international travel.
Venice Biennale where I am a regular at opening week was a shock for me as it doesn’t start til May and the announcement came early in March that the Biennale would now take place 29th August to end of November 2020. Alongside this italy and particularly northern Italy has now gone into lockdown, the decision to reduce the duration of the fair, and commence at a time when we hope this virus is contained makes sense. (And I did get a refund on my flight)
This event is international by its nature, with art and contributors from around the world and reducing travel, is one of the guidelines by nearly all governments. It wasn’t the people that was the only concern. The preparation of the fair includes shipping and transport of art from around the world, and the implications around safety of receiving items was also hinted at.
A smaller but relevant fair - Art Brussels today announced that it too will postpone from April to June amidst growing concerns around public health and the unprecedented situation around Covid-19.
Affordable Art Fair Battersea slipped in and started on Weds 11th March. I didn’t attend but my sources tell me that the turnout was lower than usual. Opening night at AAF is usually quite a party but on this occasion was much more low key than previously. However on the plus side, the visitors that did show up were serious buyers, and sales were strong, which I think is hugely encouraging for the artists and the galleries.
AAF and other fairs that are going ahead this weekend have all put out safety messages to encourage visitors, including the availability of extra hand sanitisers and such like, but if I had a concern, it would be getting public transport to the event rather than being at the event.
But these are all large fairs - what does it mean for the artist? I’m in a lot of forums, groups, networks where this topic has been of concern for artists who were scheduled to take part in an artists’ fair in the coming weeks.
Questions like - will i get refund if they cancel, will my insurance cover it? come up on the daily. The reality is that the organisers are not cancelling, they are postponing. This means they will hold on to your booth fee.
The situation around Covid-19 is classed as a force majeure event which is not covered by insurance for organisers or for vendors. So this requires agility in your business to weather the potential losses.
Earlier today The Other Art Fair announced they will be postponing a number of their Spring fairs around the world. Typically a business like this would be able to stay buoyant in one region to offset losses in another country til things stabilise across their events. So it is a huge decision on their part to postpone seven fairs from Australia, London and the US, putting safety and public health first.
No exact new dates have been announced as they work with artists and venues to reschedule, though August is likely for the London fair.
Eye of the Collector has postponed its inaugural fair to 8-11 September alongside London Design Biennale.
Ceramic Art London have cancelled the 2020 event due to start 20th March. They will return in 2021.
If your fair is no longer going ahead this spring, I would love to hear your views and measures you are taking to get through this time. Please message me either through this site or on Instagram at @thegitajoshi - you can stay anonymous too.