Melbourne Art Fair Goes Virtual

Words: Emma Pham

Melbourne Art Fair has announced its 2020 fair is going ‘virtual’ for one week this June.

With the biennial fair’s 2020 edition postponed to February 2021, the Melbourne Art Foundation team has created a free-access platform titled ‘Melbourne Art Fair Viewing Rooms.’ The digital event, taking place from 1 to 7 June 2020, will showcase work from the Australasian region originally intended for this year’s physical fair.

Viewing Rooms will give visitors the opportunity to explore the virtual spaces of the region’s most esteemed galleries and discover exceptional art from home. Melbourne Art Foundation CEO and Fair Director Maree Di Pasquale says it will give the public an opportunity to peruse art through a digital fair experience.

“Melbourne Art Fair has always been a progressive forum and is adapting to the changing art landscape and situation we currently face,” she says. “Although it’s disappointing the fair cannot take place as initially scheduled this year, we are bringing the experience to the public in a new and exciting way as we wait for the event in 2021.”

The fair’s goal is to keep the art community connected during these challenging times. They are committed to supporting the industry and uniting galleries and artists via the digital edition of the fair.

“The platform we have created puts the region’s best artists and galleries on the world stage as it’s now easier than ever for people from across the globe to enjoy what we have on offer,” says Pasquale.

Throughout the week, Melbourne Art Fair and its participating galleries will also host a series of digital experiences including artist studio visits, collector interviews and exhibition viewings on the platform.

Melbourne Art Fair Viewing Rooms will be available to access for free by registering online. VIP access is open from 1 to 2 June with the general public able to view the platform from 3 to 7 June.

Register your interest for the virtual fair here.

Image: Anna Schwartz and Daniel Von Sturmer, CATARACT, 2019. 81 screen installation, 300 x 510 x 40 cm. Photo by Zan Wimberley. Courtesy: the artist and Melbourne Art Fair.