The ninth edition of the International Exposition of Contemporary and Modern Art Expo Chicago will be held at Navy Pier next spring, Sydney Contemporary and La Biennale Paris will take place in September 2021
Sydney Contemporary, 2019. Source: Sydney Contemporary/Zan Wimberley/Artforum
Three art fairs scheduled for September 2020 have been postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Artforum reports.
The organisers of Expo Chicago said the decision to move the date was taken with galleries, collectors, institutional partners and city officials. To help exhibitors in difficult times the organisers will offer a flexible payment schedule. It is also promised to make contributions to the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) and the New Art Dealers Association (NADA) from the proceeds of the exposition.
“Moving our dates will enable our exhibitors and partners in Chicago to focus on reopening their galleries, launching their upcoming exhibitions, and begin the process of rebuilding so that together we can prepare for this important convening moment for the global art community in Chicago next April,” said Tony Karman, Expo Chicago president and director.
His statement echoes that by Georges De Jonckheere, the president of La Biennale Paris: “Our priority is to ensure the health of all concerned and to act responsibly for the benefit of our profession, which is already hard hit by the Covid-19 outbreak. <...> Thanks to the early measures put in place by the Syndicat National des Antiquaires, the organizer of the Biennale Paris, our exhibitors face no financial risks.”
The Paris fair informed its exhibitors in May that they would have four months to pay their participation fees. In 2021, La Biennale Paris will take place inside the Grand Palais Éphémère. A number of dealers have confirmed their participation.
Sydney Contemporary has been staged in the arts centre Carriageworks since 2013. The organisers postponed it until 2021, citing the ban on large public events and travel restrictions. The art centre have gone into voluntary administration to remain solvent.
Last year, the five-day event attracted over 25,000 visitors, the last four editions generated $52 million.
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