The pandemic strikes yet another annual event: Art Basel is canceled for Dec. 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Switzerland and Hong Kong, Art Basel’s other locations, have canceled for the same reason. The next annual event in South Florida aims to take place on Dec. 2 to Dec. 5, 2021. 

Established in the 1970s, Art Basel originated in Switzerland and dispersed into three locations worldwide. The event is an ongoing international art fair that displays modern and contemporary artwork within galleries. The purpose of this event is to express the diverse styles and creative artwork put up for sale.

Art Basel Americas Director Noah Horowitz announced the cancellation of Art Basel in South Florida as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Instead, they will hold their event virtually due to precautious reasons and complications for art lovers to attend.There will be two online viewing rooms: ‘OVR:2020’ which is designated towards the artwork people would have experienced in person this year, and ‘OVR:20c’, which will include artwork from 1900-1999. ‘OVR:2020’ will commence on Sep. 23 to last until Sep. 26 and ‘OVR:2020c’ will last from  Oct. 28 to Oct. 31. Art Basel aims to lead a successful virtual fair by showing 250 galleries on their website. These galleries will include art by more than 4,000 artists worldwide with a quality for seeking the detail among the displays.

Miami Palmetto Senior High School’s AP Art History instructor Christine Moros has attended Art Basel before and enjoyed viewing an abundance of contemporary pieces while learning the significance behind the artist’s work. Moros is aware of the cancellation this year and believes that virtual galleries are a great idea for this year’s decision.

 “Perhaps having galleries online will allow more people to interface with the art/artist in a way they never would have been able to before,” Moros said.

For more information, visit the Art Basel website.