Last week, the World Health Organization declared that the coronavirus outbreak constitutes a global health emergency, and the latest death toll has climbed to at least 565, according toNBC News. A public health crisis like this has the potential to affect many facets of life throughout China and beyond, and that now includes the world of design.
In the wake of the coronavirus’s spread and the subsequent introduction of international travel advisories, the organizers of multiple upcoming design conferences have decided to either postpone orcancel their upcoming events. Notably, Design Shanghai will push back its March 12–15 event at theShanghaiWorld Expo Exhibition and Convention Center. The 2020 edition of China’s biggest contemporary design show, which promises programming from André Fu, Ini Archibong, Tom Dixon, and other presitgious design talents, will now take place in May at the same venue.
Similarly, after “carefully evaluating the situation and potential risks,” architecture and design firm Neri&Hu made the decision to cancel their annual Festival of Design conference, which was also set to take place in March in Shanghai. Two other events, the Shenzhen International Furniture Fair and the 45th China International Furniture Fair in Guangzhou, also announced that they will postpone their March editions.
Additionally, after receiving pleas from international galleries and dealers, Art Basel Hong Kong decided to cancel its March 19–21 event on Thursday. “The decision to cancel Art Basel Hong Kong was an extremely difficult one for us," Marc Spiegler, the global director of Art Basel, said in a statement. "We explored every other possible option before doing so, gathering advice and perspectives from many gallerists, collectors, partners, and external experts. . . . Unfortunately, the sudden outbreak and rapid spread of the novel coronavirus radically changed the situation.”
In addition to major conferences and shows expected to attract an international audience, at least one major design retailer has decided to shut its doors. Last week, IKEA announced it will temporarily close all of its brick-and-mortar locations in mainland China. According to anIKEAChina spokeswoman quoted byCNN, these stores “will be closed until further notice” as the company monitors the situation, though online shopping will still be available. Employees told to stay at home will continue to receive pay during the closures, according toYahoo.
While Chinese design trade shows have been the first to react to the pandemic, coronavirus's continuing spread could very well lead to the cancellation of future events elsewhere around the globe in the coming weeks.
