Fashion and art institutions are preparing for another fraught weekend after hundreds of stores were looted in Paris, Milan and other European cities last weekend, as rioters took advantage of the disruption caused by protestors advocating for better cost of living and education conditions. It comes at a busy moment for the French capital in particular, which this weekend is set to play host to a series of events in the realms of art, sport and fashion — some of which has now been called off.
Art Basel Paris, which opened on Tuesday for its Avant-Première (super VIP) day, and on Wednesday, for the full VIP preview, canceled its Saturday and Sunday slots, now finishing at the end of the day on Friday. This decision was made “in light of potential demonstrations across Paris this weekend”, the fair organizers said in an email to press on Thursday, adding that it is “in the interest of safeguarding our visitors, exhibitors, partners, staff, and artworks”. It followed calls on social media for protestors to target the fair. Visitors attending the fair on Friday will be required to show government ID.
“This decision has not been taken lightly, and the safety of everyone involved in the fair remains our utmost priority,” Art Basel’s email to press continued. “Art Basel remains fully committed to serving galleries and artists, creating meaningful encounters with art and bringing our international community together.”
Other art museums and events, including Fondation Louis Vuitton, took a similar approach, and will also be closed for part or all of Saturday. Some events went ahead before anxieties about the protests heated up; on October 20, Miu Miu celebrated the premiere of Alice Dolop’s exhibition, Geste de Consolation, which was slated to run until October 25.
It’s not just the art scene facing disruption. This Sunday, the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints will play at the Stade de France. The NFL has said that it’s confident in its security teams and that the game will go on. Events surrounding the game, however, have been canceled, including a private brunch hosted by the NFL’s style editor.
Beauty brand Glow Recipe was set to host a pop-up on October 24 and 25, but announced on Instagram on Wednesday that the activation will not proceed as planned. “The safety of our community, our team, and everyone involved will always come first,” the brand posted. “To everyone who registered and was looking forward to joining us, thank you so much for your excitement, love, and understanding. We’re so grateful for this community and hope to share a little pink paradise with you in Paris very soon.”
