Art Basel has canceled its upcoming Hong Kong show due to the Wuhan coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more than 600 people and infected over 31,400 — the vast majority of them in China
more than 630 people and infected over 31,400 -- the vast majority in China.
"The decision to cancel Art Basel Hong Kong was an extremely difficult one for us," Art Basel Global Director Marc Spiegler said in a statement, adding that the organization had explored other possibilities, but could not go forward with the virus'"sudden outbreak and rapid spread." A spokesperson said Art Basel would be refunding galleries 75% of the stand fee.
The event is one of the main stops on the global arts calendar and has fast-grown in commercial importance, particularly in its ability to draw top collectors from mainland China and the region. Success at the fair has in recent years spurred international galleries to open outposts in the Asian metropolis.
A group of 24 galleries, concerned about the impact of those demonstrations -- including an anticipated decline in attendance --Exhibitor Jasdeep Sandhu described the coronavirus as"the final nail in the coffin" and, in an interview last week,that canceling the fair was a"no-brainer." Sandhu, the founder of Singapore's Gajah Gallery, was one of the 240-plus galleries expected to show at the fair.
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