The coronavirus pandemic means that Frieze London 2020 (in its traditional physical form) has had to be canceled. Instead, the organisers have come with the idea of using the Frieze Viewing Room, which was first trialed in May for Frieze New York to bring together artworks from over 200 of the world’s leading galleries online and matching this with a Frieze Week programme of virtual and small live events. Given all the changes to the fair this year, we thought we’d share with you some highlights that are not to be missed.

The Frieze Viewing Room: How It Works

Live from 9 to 16 October, with invitation-only preview days on 7 and 8 October, the Frieze Viewing Room will be in keeping with the fairs’ physical editions. Accessed via an app, the online platform will bring together a cross-section of work ranging from the ancient era to the modern-day, which will include everything from antiquities and tapestries to contemporary art and sculpture. The app will give visitors access to live chat and augmented reality (AR) capabilities among many other interactive features.

Frieze Week: The Highlights

Frieze Talks

Curated by National Portrait Gallery Director Nicholas Cullinan, the Frieze Talks programme will include panel discussions, conversations and keynote lectures by a host of celebrated names. Freize are yet to release the full programme of talks, but you can stay updated on their website here.

Frieze Sculpture

Frieze Sculpture (5-18 October) returns to the English Gardens in Regent’s park. So as you jog through the trees and beside the canals, keep your eyes peeled for works by the likes of Lubaina Himid, Richard Long and Rebecca Warren. Free to view, all the sculptures will also have a virtual presence in the Frieze Viewing Room.

What’s Going On At Other Museums & Galleries

During Frieze Week many of London’s popular museums and galleries also stage exhibitions to celebrate all that is art. Here are some of the highlights:

1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair

A scaled down version of the leading African art fair 1-54 will return to Somerset House (8-10 October), 20 galleries will showcaseworks from the most cutting-edge African artists today. The fair will also have an online platform allowing visitors to discover additional works displayed by participating galleries.

Artemisia Gentileschi, National Gallery

The National Gallery’s long-awaited exhibition (3 October-24 January) casts new light on this pioneering woman who not only forged a highly successful career as a painter in the face of overwhelming odds but also became the first woman member of the Accademia di Arte del Disegno.

The Fine Art Society Relaunch

On 2 October The Fine Art Society will host temporary exhibitions of 19th and 20th-century British art and design, as well as Scottish art from the 17th century to today will be set up online and in their relaunched gallery Soho’s Carnaby street.

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