Art Basel in Hong Kong launching online viewing rooms due to the Coronavirus

China Photos/Getty Images

China Photos/Getty Images

The news of the coronavirus has not avoided anyone but since this isn’t the place for either diseases or medicine, we are not going to write about that any further other than that it is a terrible disease and our thoughts are with anyone affected by it. However, we find it appropriate to mention a creative way to handle the consequences from the disease, like the way Art Basel has done. The Swiss art fair organisation has since 2013 organized an art fair in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, because of the coronavirus outbreak and the fears surrounding it, this year’s art fair would be cancelled you might think. Well the physical art fair will not take place, but Art Basel has now announced that galleries planning to show their work at the fair in March will be able to sell their work via online viewing rooms. The clever solution, that highlights the importance of digital experience within the art world, will provide exhibitors with an additional platform to present their program and artists to Art Basel's global network of collectors, buyers and art enthusiasts

www.artbasel.com

www.artbasel.com

Art Basel’s Global Director of Art, Marc Spiegler explains: “As the art market continues to evolve, Art Basel has continually investigated how new technologies can give us new opportunities to support our galleries.”.

“The online viewing rooms will provide galleries with a further possibility for engaging with our global audiences, complementing the essential personal interactions that continue to underly the art market.”

For those of you, despairing of this art fair in Hong Kong will not happen, go to Art Basel’s website and check out the artwork, sculptures, photographs and more for the online art fair, on March 20-25.