postponed art basel 2020 fair now officially canceled due to COVID-19

having first been postponed until september, art basel 2020 has now officially been canceled as a result of the health and travel concerns of its exhibitors, employees and visitors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. the event was first postponed from its usual june slot, but after recent recommendations from the swiss government, the fair – alongside its design miami/ basel edition – will no longer happen at all. instead, the next edition of art basel in switzerland is now scheduled to take place june 17 to june 20, 2021.

the complete cancellation of art basel 2020 follows similar decisions by organizers of milan’s salone del mobile and venice architecture biennale, amongst many more fairs and events.

We regret to announce that the 2020 edition of Art Basel in Basel has been canceled. These are tumultuous and challenging times, and we wish you the very best until we are able to meet again. #artbasel pic.twitter.com/cEvWhxcGzl
— Art Basel (@ArtBasel) June 6, 2020

‘we regret to announce that the 2020 edition of art basel in basel has been canceled. these are tumultuous and challenging times, and we wish you the very best until we are able to meet again,’ art basel organizers announced on twitter on june 6th. their statement continues to add, ‘we believe that the best option concerning the basel show is to focus on next year’s edition and delivering a fair of the exceptional international quality that the artworld expects.‘

‘while we are disappointed not to welcome the international design and art communities to basel this september, together with our partners at art basel and MCH we recognize the responsibility in this decision. I know the design miami/ community all over the world continues to champion design expertise and contemporary innovation while we are physically apart. soon, the brilliant designers, artists, gallerists, curators, and collaborators that make our fair possible will be together. in the meantime, we continue to support our networks and promote design,‘ added jen roberts, CEO of design miami/.

with international events being either postponed or canceled in 2020, the creative world has turned digital to spread its latest news, exhibitions and, even, messages of hope. designboom has asked artists, including ibrahim mahama, olafur eliasson and more, to share hopefully dedications with our readers. as the world battles the pandemic, this initiative aims to provide a sense of hope… at least until events begin again as 2021 approaches.