Art Basel Paris, Surrounded by Unrest and Excitement, to Close Early Due to Protests
Art Basel Paris canceled its weekend program due to protests and safety concerns.Summary
Art Basel Paris took place amid protests that began on September 21 and spread across France, with clashes, looting, and store destruction in October. The Avant-Première on October 20 and the first VIP preview day on October 21 were busy, with major galleries reporting high-value sales. However, social media calls for a protest on Saturday the 24th, criticizing the art world's power structures and the use of art for tax avoidance, raised safety concerns. On October 22, Art Basel Paris announced it would cancel the weekend due to these concerns. The Basel model has transformed Paris's art ecosystem, increasing internationalization and foreign gallery presence, but challenges remain, including the declining share of French galleries and limited participation from regional galleries.
(Source：美術手帖)