Culture Talk

Art Basel Paris closing early says a lot about who the art world is for

I read the GONOM comparison of how outlets covered Art Basel Paris, and what stayed with me is the order of events. A 1965 Richter sold for $10.5m and a Mehretu for $7.8m in the preview, collectors came 'anyway', and then the fair closed two days early because of protests about the cost of living and school conditions.

I don't think the fair was wrong to close. Safety first, and the looting reports the week before were frightening. But the image of millions changing hands inside a glass palace while people outside protest about rent is hard to ignore.

The outlets each chose a different focus: sales, security, cost to the fair. Almost none of the coverage asked what the protesters thought of the fair. I would have liked one outlet to do that. Am I being unfair to the art market?