Art Basel boss Spiegler: "The art market needs a makeover"

WORLD:

The pandemic has been shaking up the art fair calendar for a year.

The fair in Hong Kong, which usually runs at the beginning of March, is now to take place at the end of May, the main fair in Basel moves from June to September, and Art Basel in Miami Beach, as usual, is to take place at the beginning of December.

What makes you confident that you will be able to keep to the schedule, Mr. Spiegler?

Marc Spiegler:

We decided very early this year to draw up the entire schedule for the Art Basel fairs on the basis of the best current estimate.

It is based on the fact that vaccines are still available and that they will be effective.

As a result of falling infection numbers, we expect the travel restrictions to be relaxed.

With this assumption, we can keep this schedule.

WORLD:

Will Art Basel stick to these new dates if the fairs can be held this year as planned?