In the 20 years since it first launched, the SCOPE art fair has reincarnated itself several times, from beginnings as a scrappy upstart to blossoming into an art fair innovator. 

Earlier this year, the fair made its latest transformation by stepping into the virtual sphere with the first-ever SCOPE Immersive back in May.

“SCOPE Immersive is less of a revolution and more of an evolution. When we began, we were a scrappy hotel fair and had no idea where the market would go or what it would look like. Here we are 20 years later with the same mission as when we began—to present a view of the contemporary art world available nowhere else,” said Alexis Hubshman, president and founder of SCOPE.

Now, with a second edition of the event launching this month, the fair is once again building off experience and paving the way for a cutting-edge (and fun!) virtual fair experience. 

Here’s what to expect.

Virtual Viewing at the Forefront of Technology

Alexis Hubshman, President and Founder of SCOPE.

The online viewing-room experience can often feel like simply clicking around on a gallery web page, and that’s because many fair platforms still rely on basic and (simply put) outdated slideshow technology.

SCOPE Immersive (which is powered by onlineviewingroom.com), on the other hand, offers collectors the closest thing to an IRL three-dimensional viewing experience.

What’s more, acquiring work is easier than ever before. Collectors can simply click the “Buy Now” button or “Contact” for more information on the desired work. 

“SCOPE Immersive truly harmonizes with our sense of the spectacular and pushing the envelope of what a viewer can expect from the digital realm,” said Hubshman. “The core of SCOPE’s energy comes from its willingness to take a chance before others—this is the hallmark of a truly visionary brand.”

An Initiative for Supporting Black Creatives 

Shawn Theodore, The Salon of Oluchi Oneya and Leenos The Forgiving (2018). Courtesy of Paradigm Gallery + Studio.

“We believe in the power of art to broaden perspectives, start difficult conversations, and ignite lasting political and societal change,” the fair said in a statement.

To further this ambitious mission, the fair is expanding its New Contemporary Program, a series of partnerships with local and global non-profit organizations that fight for inclusivity in the art world by uplifting Black artists and thinkers.

“We have enlisted like-minded institutions from all media and disciplines to create programming and work specifically for SCOPE Immersive. It will be a presentation of the New Contemporary like no other,” said Hubshman. The program is also slated to become a permanent fixture of the fair.

Daily Wellness, Artist Talks, and Nightlife DJ Sessions
(And No Searching for an Access Link) 

Still of We Cant Cop Cars Without Seeing Cop Cars written and directed by Fahamu Pecou

Scouring through email inboxes (and spam, and then the trash) for a link to that artist talk you were looking forward to, but now can’t get into, can be a real enthusiasm-buster.

SCOPE Immersive has established a multi-functional video wall within their virtual fair that visitors can simply walk to for a daily series of morning wellness programs, artist and curator talks, and artist activations.

After hours, the wall will be your access point to a virtual nightlife hosting world-class DJ and musical talent, all available without an access link or password.

SCOPE Immersive is open online from Thursday, September 17 to Sunday, September 20, 2020. SCOPE Immersive’s next online exhibition will be December 1-6, 2020, and will present physical pop-up activations.