Whether you are accustomed to building your social calendar
around must-see art fairs or are still confused why an event named after the
Swiss city of Basel sets Miami alight each year, the past year saw a seismic
shift for the art world’s aficionados and casual observers alike. With the rise
of the online art fair, suddenly everyone had an opportunity to see some of the
world’s most exciting art without leaving the couch.
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Although the jury may still be out on these digital
undertakings’ return on investment, these virtual art fairs are still a
revolutionary way of allowing collectors to browse global galleries at will.
They also give art novices a chance to sharpen their eyes without having to
shell out for airfare.
While a recent report revealed that 2020 witnessed a global
downturn in art sales overall, online sales surged, making up a quarter of the
market’s value. Although a number of fairs are holding onto tentative summer
and fall dates in the hopes that in-person events will be feasible, there are
some who are continuing to forge ahead with digital programming in lieu of or
in addition to their usual offerings.
Here are four upcoming online (and in-person) global art
fairs.
Expo Chicago Online (April 8-12)
Chicago’s International Exposition of Contemporary and
Modern Art rose from the ashes of Art Chicago, a 1980s challenger to Art
Basel’s global dominance that fell on hard times in subsequent decades. While
the storied fair considers a potential summer reopening, for now it has
directed its pioneering spirit online. In addition to the robust lineup of
viewing rooms, the expo is building a roster of additional programming —
screenings, performances and more. For residents or those who can travel to the
Windy City for the fair, there are dining and lodging deals available for those
visiting local galleries. expochicago.com
Affordable Art Fair (April 9-May 3)
A fair for the rest of us, the appeal of the Affordable Art
Fair is baked into its name. Driven by a mission to “make contemporary art
accessible to everyone,” the fair’s online iteration cracks open its access
even further. Will Ramsay, founder and CEO of the fair, realized in November
that the time was right to bring it into a virtual space for the first time,
thanks to a renewed collective enthusiasm for refreshing our interiors. And
with pieces starting at about $70, it’ll be more than possible to make your
dream gallery wall come to life. affordableartfair.com/online-fair-spring
Art Brussels (April 14-28)
Since 1968, Art Brussels has focused on the new and the now,
as well as on the overlooked. Visitors have come to expect freshness from the
fair: Recent years have seen work from emerging artists mingle with
20th-century pieces from artists who aren’t as well known as, say, O’Keeffe or
Basquiat, but perhaps should be. This year, Art Brussels will welcome visitors
online and in person — local galleries, museums and ateliers will open to the
public. artbrussels.com/en/art-brussels-week
Frieze Viewing Room (May 5-14)
Frieze New York is planning to soldier on with
the 2021 edition of the fair, although its venue — The Shed at Hudson Yards —
is a marked departure from past years, which took place on Randall’s Island and
featured hundreds of galleries. This year’s list of exhibitors has been
narrowed to a few dozen, but the emphasis remains on must-see programming and
emerging talent. The work can be seen through the virtual viewing room, which
will host the entirety of Frieze New York for anyone who can’t make it out to
Manhattan. frieze.com/fairs/frieze-viewing-room
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