Lack of planning security leads to cancellation of art KARLSRUHE
In February 2020, art KARLSRUHE – International Fair for Classic Modern and Contemporary Art – was the only art fair that could be held successfully and without restrictions before all fairs worldwide had to be cancelled. This was still possible last year
In February 2020, art KARLSRUHE – International Fair for Classic Modern and Contemporary Art – was the only art fair that could be held successfully and without restrictions before all fairs worldwide had to be cancelled. This was still possible last year, but it is now no longer possible in 2021.
No opening perspective for restart of the trade-fair business
Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre’s Managing Director Britta Wirtz explains the decision: “A fair requires several months of preparation by everyone involved. Despite continually further developed concepts adapted to the current situation to provide protection against the coronavirus, there are currently no viable perspectives for reopening that can offer our clients, partners and colleagues the planning security they need for May 2021. The cancellation of this year’s art KARLSRUHE is therefore unfortunately unavoidable.”
Curator Ewald Karl Schrade is grateful for the loyalty of the gallery owners in the current situation: “We had continue to hope until the very last moment that art KARLSRUHE would be able to take place and we revised our plans accordingly. Our gallery owners remained steadfastly loyal to us and made all preparations necessary for their presence at the fair. We regret the cancellation and we look forward to seeing them all in person next year.” Project manager Olga Blaß adds: “With our early announcement that the next art KARLSRUHE will take place in February 2022, we want to be a reliable partner to everyone involved in the fair and to offer the best possible planning security.”
Online highlight in May
Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre would nonetheless like to offer visitors and exhibitors a platform with new digital solutions for the planned date in May. Project manager Olga Blaß explains: “Art needs direct encounters. We remain convinced of this. We are currently developing appropriate hybrid and digital formats that complement the fair on site and will last beyond the pandemic.” With individual formats, art KARLSRUHE also wants to bring the pleasure of art into people’s homes.
About the fair
As a fair for Classic Modern and Contemporary art, art KARLSRUHE spans 120 years of art history. National as well as international galleries show the breadth of the art market – from the complete spectrum of 20th-century art to new artworks fresh from the artists’ ateliers. A special and unique selling point in the airy, light-flooded exhibition halls is the unique layout of galleries in interplay with generously proportioned Sculpture Areas and One-Artist-Shows focussing on the creations of individual artists. The national and international appeal of art KARLSRUHE attracts both established collectors and newcomers to the art market and is firmly anchored in the cultural city of Karlsruhe. In conjunction with renowned museums and cultural institutions in the city of Karlsruhe and the surrounding region, it creates a special art experience.
