The gallery survived the quarantine. Survive the pressure of collectors?
ARTinvestment.RU   16 июня 2020

Will the gallery to pull myself together and be proactive and creative approach to work in the new environment?

Art-индустрия survived the quarantine is better than expected. This was enhanced by effective digitalization of the gallery and other art-институций and deals that have managed to make online in recent months. And today, as more countries removed quarantine measures, and galleries opening around the world face new challenges that need immediate solutions and creative approach.

In-первых, this financial issues. According to art-дилеров, buyers after quarantine expect discounts up to 30% on primary and 50% secondary markets. Special conditions loans, deferred payments and lower rents, which were used by many institutions during the quarantine will end soon, while art-ярмарки, participation in which has brought considerable portion of the annual income of many galleries, will come back again soon. The latter became clear after the Swiss fair Art Basel, which usually exhibited the art of over us $3 billion, was postponed for the following year.

In-вторых, gallery owners have to deal with organizational problems. As practice shows, the fact that the opening doesn't guarantee it work offline. For example, galleries in Seoul, where quarantine measures were repealed one of the first in the world, was forced to urgently to close again after in may in South Korea suddenly there was a new outbreak Covid-19. And in Europe, the gallery may be closed out-за non-compliance with the measures of distancing: today we know of at least one gallery in Berlin, closed by the authorities for failure to comply with the new rules.

"People are worried, as a lot is still unclear", — said Heather Hubbs, Executive Director of the new-йоркского Alliance art-дилеров NADA. For concern and the future is added and the seasonal decline in market activity: the summer period traditionally held in the art-среде quite sluggish. Although online-продажи who saved art-рынок during the quarantine, will continue, they obviously will not be enough to keep at the same level industry, the main feature of which is a personal touch when meeting with art. According to a survey conducted 15 April-4 may 2020, more than 150 American galleries looked forward to falling average revenue in the second quarter of 2019 on 73 %.

These problems are not spared and the largest galleries. So, Hauser & Wirth until fall postponed the Grand opening of the new flagship project in London's Chelsea. And Larry Gagosian managed to open shortly before the quarantine, an exhibition of monumental sculptures of Donald Judd, recalls a reception in honor of the opening "was similar to the last supper" and the audience never saw this project.

"All the energy that previously went to the development of the physical space of the gallery, went online-пространство, — commented on last months gallery David Tsvirner. — at Times it seemed to me that we are launching the startup". By the way, the digital platform gallery Zwirner, with projects support small galleries running in new-Йорке, London and Los-Анджелесе, could make already $1.2 million for its members.

On how to change the look and style work galleries worldwide in the coming months after lifting the quarantine, you can judge by the experience of the galleries have already started their work in Hong Kong and many European countries. Apparently, we should expect a wall of plexiglass, masks and disinfectant solutions, limitations on visiting time (some galleries are already selling tickets for the sessions are limited to 30 minutes) and may compulsory to provide your contact details (at least name and phone) in case of detection of diseases among visitors or employees galleries.

the Material was prepared by Maria Kuznetsova, AI

Source: bloomberg.com