Art Basel will close its Paris fair early due to safety concerns amidst the student protests.
The fair opened on Wednesday to collectors and artworld insiders with VIP cards, and was supposed to close Sunday. It has now cancelled two of its three public days, closing on Friday evening.
‘This decision has not been taken lightly, and the safety of everyone involved in the fair remains our utmost priority,’ wrote fair chiefs Vincenzo de Bellis, Karim Crippa Director and Carly Murphy in a letter. ‘We extend our sincere appreciation to our galleries, artists, partners, patrons, and wider community for their commitment, understanding, and ongoing support.’
On Thursday various social media account were mobilising to target the fair, held at the Grand Palais, directly. ‘Against Art Basel’ read one in French, instructing supporters to assemble at 4pm. ‘Everyone must retain vigilant, and assess the scale of police presence.’
On Monday morning, protesters in Paris picketed the Louvre, restricting access to the museum. The demonstration was organised by the students at the École du Louvre, in solidarity with the much wider high school student protesters in the city and across France. The unrest in Paris has seen a number of galleries close and events around Art Basel Paris scaled back. Hauser & Wirth closed its gallery on Saturday out of precaution and Jeu de Paume cancelled the opening of its Stan Douglas’s show.
The art fair itself erected anti-ram barriers around the Grand Palais and increased its security. Visitors to the fair on Friday will now be required to bring government ID.
Fair organisers have so far made no statement regarding refunds of public tickets or booth costs to exhibitors.