The definition of “Art” is widely discussed and argued over the centuries. The effort to define the meaning of the term is simply overwhelming engaging philosophers, politicians, artists themselves to provide a competing answer. The sheer variety of the definitions proposed makes wonder if there is any point try to cage the “wild animal” … and here we are. Very much caged by a COVID-19, the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. The whole world is facing a new reality due to the spread and severity of the virus. People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Everyone, from ordinary people to most famous rock-stars are enforcing social distancing trying to the best of their ability to stay home. While virus is keeping us apart the power of art is bringing people together.

The lockdown enforced by local governments forced to close museums and cancel concerts with impact to the industry yet to be fully understood. The coronavirus pandemic is fast-forwarding the digitalization of cultural institutions like never before. However, gaining access to the digital footprint has not been easy to all artist & institutions. To affirm the resilience of art during this period and draw support for the future, UNESCO has launched the “ResiliArt” movement. The purpose of the movement is to raise awareness about the impact of COVID-19 on the culture sector; Provide visibility worldwide for both, established and emerging artists; Contribute & liaise with Member States for the decision-making related to the policies and financial means to support artists & cultural institutions. Numerous artists and associations joins “ResiliArt” in discussion reminding the importance of strong legislation measures for copy rights, fair payments on the digital platforms. 

Instagram Picture by @unitedvoicesforpeace

According to Fast Company, to help enjoy culture from comfort of your home Google Arts & Culture has partnered with over 2500 museums and galleries around, such as:

  • Musée d’Orsay, Paris
  • Van Gogh Museums, Amsterdam
  • MoMA The Museum of Modern Art, New York
  • Uffizi Gallery, Florence
  • National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
  • Sorolla Museum, Madrid

To choose your virtual tour, you can follow the link to Google Arts & Culture Collections. Artist and galleries are expanding their social media presence in pursue to spread awareness and provide access to some of the world’s most renewed art collections. To dip into your pool of imagination Getty Museum has challenged people at home to recreated famous artworks with household items. Challenge that inspires, encourages, and shows you that art can be found not only in the pristine galleries but also in your kitchen.

The coronavirus pandemic “stay at home” measures forced people to look for innovative and creative ways to fill the gap of socializing. One of the famous street artist Banksy seems to star painting his own walls. 

The coronavirus pandemic “stay at home” measures forced people to look for innovative and creative ways to fill the gap of socializing. One of the famous street artist Banksy seems to star painting his own walls. 

Banksy @ Instagram

Bored Panda has collected some of the most creative ways people are spending their lockdown time. It may not end up on the galleries’ walls but definitely creatively enriches quarantine time. Previously one of the most Instagrammable place in the world involved a million plastic decorations, oversized shoes and upside-down rooms. The surreal world through the virtual lenses has started with interactive installations in galleries & museums, however people are bringing it to their homes finding new ways to improve reality and interact through distance. 

Pictures published by Bored Panda

The impact of the Covid-19 health crisis is redefining numerous aspects of life as we know. We are learning to liaise through distance, transferring studios, and galleries to digital era, re-thinking the value of travel, re-discovering our homes. With every step of the journey we bring art, creativity, innovation and imagination to ease and overcome the struggle of being alone and isolated. We assign new meanings to the traditional and universal features of the word “art” and it brings us closer together than ever before.

References

  1. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/art-definition/);
  2. WHO (https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses);
  3. United Nations News (https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/04/1061802);
  4. UNESCO (https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-resiliart-debate-artists-and-creativity-beyond-crisis)
  5. Fast Company (https://www.fastcompany.com/);
  6. Google Arts & Culture (https://artsandculture.google.com);
  7. Gallerie Uffizi @ Twitter (https://twitter.com/UffiziGalleries/status/1236699190446694400);
  8. The iris Blogs Getty (https://blogs.getty.edu/iris/getty-artworks-recreated-with-household-items-by-creative-geniuses-the-world-over/) 
  9. CNN (https://edition.cnn.com/style/article/banksy-working-from-home-lockdown-scli-intl-gbr/index.html)
  10. Banksy Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/p/B8y6JuIHUf4/) 
  11. Bored Panda (https://www.boredpanda.com/creative-quarantine-handmade-things/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic)