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Economy blamed for cancellation of New York Asian Art Fair

NEW YORK (ACNI) – The International Asian Art Fair, which was to have taken place March 11-15 at New York’s Park Avenue Armory, has been called off. The event’s promoters, London-based Brian and Anna Haughton cited the current economic slump as the reason for the cancellation.

An announcement on the Haughtons’ Web site states: “Due to the present global economic situation we have regrettably taken the decision to cancel The International Asian Art Fair for 2009 … Many of the dealers who had contracted to take part are not in a position to go forward in the current climate, and as such we have decided a fair would put an untenable strain on their resources.”

Haughton International Fairs commenced operations in 1982 with the International Ceramics Fair & Seminar. Their International Asian Art Fair debuted in 1996 and grew to become regarded as Asia Week’s flagship fair. In recent years the number of exhibitors selling at the Haughtons’ Asian art fair has declined for various reasons. Last year’s reduced dealer representation reflected the promoters’ decision to relocate to a smaller downtown-Manhattan venue.

In spite of the disappointment of having to cancel this year’s event, which was to have returned to its original armory site, the Haughtons said they hope to be able to re-launch the show in 2010.

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