The world’s largest fair of modern and contemporary art Art Basel for the first time in its history has opened an online pandemic coronavirus continues to make adjustments to the global schedule. Are you satisfied with the dealers and their customers to new realities, found out Oleg Krasnov.Unreality held in the usual June days the status of the fair-hero of the day (this year the show celebrated 50 years) seemed obvious in March when galleries and museums around the world slammed their doors, and the organizers of Art Basel were forced into an emergency mode to decide the fate of the fair companion in Hong Kong. But hope to spend the Basel show in the usual way — with the “town” under the roof rebuilt Herzog & de Meuron futuristic exhibition centre in the heart of Basel, cyclopean objects of the section Unlimited, crowds of collectors, rich people from all over the world and endless parties, never left.At Art Basel Hong Kong, who are under quarantine in China, and run Online Viewing Room (OVR) with virtual rooms, where every participant could put a dozen art works. A few days later after closing of the fair in Hong Kong, the organizers announced the postponement of the show in Basel in September; at the end of may — and at cancellation. International Director of Art Basel, mark shpigler has released an inspirational letter in which he called the virus “the catalyst for the digital Renaissance”, but did not fail to complain that “nothing can replace meetings with art face to face”, leaving a backlog for the coming year. And instead offered dealers the same OVR in the same usual date from 19 to 26 June. With cautious enthusiasm is the largest dealer Emmanuel Perrotin in conversation with “Kommersant” diplomatically dubbed the new format “a valuable alternative” — the idea supported by the majority of gallery owners. And two days before the official opening 282 international galleries presented more than 4 thousand works of traditional VIP-visiting collectors, curators and Museum workers.Moderate the enthusiasm of the gallery owners can understand in Basel used to bring very expensive work and count on big deals with that breed of collectors that prefer surfing the Internet, and tangible things in their hands. In addition, many dealers, unlike auction houses, still refer to their websites only as to the similarity of the window with minimally useful information, but not as a sales tool. In addition, the experience with OVR in Hong Kong, it seems, few people are encouraged. President Of Galerie Lelong & Co. Jean Fremont explicitly stated that online does not give a good impression of the artwork and sale in March “was disappointing.” Clients gallery with offices in Paris and new York, too, wasn’t happy and asked the managers to send them offers directly by email. Dealer Emanuel Layr from Vienna confirmed that “OVR not the companiesennaya for the art of the environment”. And the owner of the German Eigen + Art Gerd Harry Lybke complained that in online rooms the clients can “understand” only recognized masters, but not young and not so popular artists.But to spoil relations with the legendary brand, under the wing which also is very difficult to get galleries been waiting years for a “pass” to participate— no one is going.”The importance of Art Basel to galleries should not be underestimated, so at this time, alternative online fair is a welcome and practical solution,” says Director Xavier Hufkens mark Hemment. Solidarity with him and the head of the von Bartha, Stefan von Bartha: “We exhibited here for the first day, and we’re excited to try new formats. This is a good option in the current circumstances”.Of course, in the online fair has its obvious advantages: from the ability “wander” on it from the comfort of your couch — visit the giant space in reality very tedious — and visible prices for all works to easily search by galleries and artists. The developers have taken into account wishes of participants of the Hong Kong — expanded the “room” to 15 works and given the opportunity to upload videos.To new realities and actively adapt many gallery. One after heavyweight David Zwirner started to implement OVR and use streaming technology on their own sites. Others, like Thaddaeus Ropac and Pace, combining online and offline: “We made a play presentation with a monumental sculpture that would have been impossible to show on a conventional stand. The same things we put in our temporary gallery in Easthampton this summer.”Counter-efforts seem to yield results. About millions of transactions reported Gladstone Gallery Keith Haring painting, Hauser & Wirth new work by Mark Bradford, Xavier Hufkens with a Paul McCarthy sculpture, Thaddaeus Ropac, fresh from monumental canvases by Georg Baselitz and many other art dealers. And the record today is David Zwirner — she sold almost three-meter Venus by Jeff Koons, made in a recognizable “doot” style, for $8 million to a European collector.
