Art Basel’s viewing Rooms open this week showing over $250 million of artworks.
Art Basel’s viewing Rooms open this Wednesday 18th for VIP’s then everyone else from 20th. The first iteration of the Online Viewing Rooms will be showing work from exhibitors of their cancelled Art Basel Hong kong.
The new digital initiative was due to run in parallel to the shows – rather than replacing the physical experience of an art fair, however due to the COVID-19 it has now become a replacement.
The 231 dealers involved will collectively offer more than 2,000 artworks spanning the Modern to contemporary periods in traditional and new media alike, all of which were originally slated for inclusion on their respective stands at Art Basel Hong Kong this March.
Together, the available pieces boast an aggregate value north of $250 million, almost undoubtedly making this the priciest collection of works ever offered through a single online portal.
Marc Spiegler, Global Director, Art Basel said:
‘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 underlie the art market.’
The Online Viewing Rooms will be available via the Art Basel website under artbasel.com/viewing-rooms and the Art Basel App.
All works on offer will be accompanied by either a precise price or a price range. There will be no “click to buy” functionality on the platform. Instead, sales inquiries will be made through an online form sent to a gallery representative, who will then answer questions or finalize a transaction outside of Art Basel’s platform.
More than 90 percent of the dealers admitted to Art Basel will take part in the online viewing room program.
“While nothing can replace the experience of seeing art in person,”
said Adeline Ooi, Art Basel’s director Asia,
“we hope that this initiative can bring some support and visibility to all the galleries and their artists affected by the cancellation of our March show.”
List of Participating galleries here
