It's official, this year's Art Basel is cancelled, with the fair's organisers citing the "sudden outbreak and rapid spread of the novel corona virus" as the main reason for the cancellation in a recent statement. The annual festival was scheduled to run from March 19-21 this year, but now suffers the same fate as a string of other major events that have been axed over the past months, largely due to concerns about the ongoing civil unrest in the city. Launching in Hong Kong in 2013, Art Basel has become the biggest art fair in Hong Kong, earning a place in many of our city dwellers' hearts.
"We are deeply grateful to our exhibitors, partners, and friends all over the world, and especially in Hong Kong, who have stood by our side, lent their support, and shared insights and opinions over the past days and months. Our commitment to Asia and Hong Kong has not changed, and we look forward to the 2021 edition," Said Adeline Ooi, Director of Art Basel Asia. It is indeed a sad day for art the city and a sad day for art, and now all we can do is look forward to the next Art Basel, which is scheduled to run from March 25 to March 27, 2021.