Art Basel Paris will end its 2026 edition at 7pm on Friday, October 23, two days ahead of schedule. Organisers told VIP guests by email that the fair will remain closed on Saturday and Sunday because of protests expected across Paris this weekend.
The message, co-signed by Paris director Karim Crippa, said the decision had not been taken lightly and that the safety of everyone at the fair was the top priority, according to The Art Newspaper.
The fair opened on Tuesday, October 20 at the Grand Palais with a super-VIP preview, and big-ticket sales followed, including Julie Mehretu’s Rise of the New Suprematists (2001), offered by White Cube at $7.8 million.
Mass demonstrations across France turned violent last weekend, with at least 2,700 people arrested, according to the BBC. President Emmanuel Macron said only authorised union protests will be allowed in French cities on Saturday.
The fifth edition gathered 211 galleries, which now face a scramble to plan their move-out. Organisers said artworks must stay in place until removal instructions are issued.
Source: The Art Newspaper
