Art in these challenging times can be a great tool to ease the day, feed our visual senses, stimulate our imagination and connect online through imagery and creativity. Furthermore, the Creative Industries, are a really important part of society and of the economy. The craft is embedded in our everyday and this does not need to stop. Art unites us whether in person or online. As the world stands together in these difficult times, here are some art platforms and Instagram accounts to engage with, lift our spirits, spur us on and make us think, as we all live in times of social distancing:
Art of Social Distancing
@artofsocialdistancing is an Instagram account relaying and visually communicating about all the exhibitions that have been postponed due to COVIC 19 - Follow and discover new or established art and images from each postponed exhibition, and keep up to date with what to go visit in person when this pandemic passes!
Social Distance Gallery
Many students will be saddened to find that this year, they may not be able to put on their exhibitions. Though we hope their shows will be postponed and not cancelled, in the meantime, thankfully, Social Distance Gallery created by Benjamin Cook have come up with an account where they will post on @socialdistancegallery BFA and MFA thesis exhibitions that have been affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Check out their website https://socialdistancegall.wixsite.com/socialdistance to find out how to feature your University's exhibition.
The Social Distancing Festival
The Social Distancing Festival is an online artist’s community created to display the work of artists around the world who's work has been impacted by COVID-19.
The website and page was founded by Nick Green in Toronto, Canada who started it because his own work had been affected by the current pandemic.
"Personally, a production of a new musical of mine was cancelled on March 13, 2020. Yeah, Friday the 13th. Like, come on right? It’s such a weird mix of feelings. Yes it was absolutely the right decision. 100%. But so, so, SO disappointing. That production was years in the making, and my co-creator and artistic team had a lot invested. We didn’t just lose a chance to develop the work, but also to share it, celebrate it, and potentially connect with further opportunities. Instead, I went home, where I was alone, disappointed, and facing a whole lot of free time.
I have three main goals with this project:
1) It helps to get some of the great work that you’ve done out to the world, and projects that were cancelled get the word of mouth that they missed out on;
2) We are able to keep feeling a sense of artistic community, even from our living rooms, and;
3) Artists are able to continue to engage with their projects by making videos, sharing work, and celebrating the work of others. "
Check out their website to submit your work and to view featured exhibitions and see upcoming live streams and events https://www.socialdistancingfestival.com
Acute Art
Acute Art and artist KAWS are showcasing how technology can highlight new ways to discover and experience art, as well as collect it. The art series EXPANDED HOLIDAY is a set of augmented reality (AR) sculptures, forming part of a global exhibition opening simultaneously in 12 locations across six continents.
During these challenging times the world faces, Acute Art have added on the app: A 45cm AR COMPANION (EXPANDED) available now until 15th April 2020, to enjoy free of charge in the comfort and safety of your home!
Victoria and Albert Museum
Impacted by COVIC-19, the museum has temporarily shut, but art material can be found on their blog and for a behind-the-scenes in Secrets of the Museum on BBC iPlayer.
Tate
The museum is currently closed due to the pandemic COVIC 19, but you can discover art from their archives https://www.tate.org.uk/art and view online a performance by Faustin Linyekula .
Art Dubai
Art Dubai has had to be postponed until next year, however, it has modified its 2020 programme with digital content for a digital audience. The 2020 Online Catalogue will include more than 500 artworks by represented artists from Art Dubai's participating galleries, such as KRISTIN HJELLEGJERDE GALLERY catalogue -> https://www.artdubai.ae/catalogue-gallery/?id=539 , it will also include a Global Art Forum live-broadcast and an Online Performance Programme curated by Marina Fokidis.
Art UK
Art UK is a cultural education charity and have about 250,000 digitised artworks from all over the United Kingdom. These works come from museums, universities, historic houses, hospitals and other civic buildings. The website makes available to all, the nation's art while relaying through articles the artwork's stories.
During these difficult times, it is a good moment to go online and discover the United Kingdom's art collections.
Many artworks online are from the NHS Trust collections.
Google Arts & Culture project
Google Arts & Culture project is an online platform that allows viewers to discover art collections from all the museums around the world with high resolution images of artworks.
Most art galleries, collectives and museums have taken their programmes online, we will keep posting as we discover them