ArtyGeneration in time of Covid-19 - 1/2
During this pandemic, artists are more necessary than ever : their creations are enlightening what we are living, offering colours for our eyes, connection for our souls and questions for our future to reflect on. They are also, as we all are, more vulnerable than ever.
We wanted to offer a platform for them to share their concerns and their voices.
Here is an overview of how the ArtyGeneration community is dealing with this crisis, as well as what they have to offer - to you, reader, and to the society as a whole.
The diversity of their answers is an ode to their singularity.
It is also striking to see that, in a small group of about 30 people, the gifts of some are matching with other’s needs. Let that be an inspiration and an encouragement to be open to others in these difficult time.
In this special period, what do you need ? A collective answer
Nothing
Alexander Vasin
Alexander : “I don't need anything special because I'm an artist and I'm from the Soviet period. I remember how to work just by hands and live without necessary things. Of course, now I use internet for all my projects, but I think I can even manage my life without it. Anything can happen in my country.”
Nature
Tim Parchikov and Irina Izotova
Photo by Tim Parchikov for Hennessy. “Right now, I need fresh air” he says. As well as “walks in nature” adds Irina Izotova.
Space
Olga Nikitch and Sasha Kremenets
Details of the scarf Space by Olga Nikich. “In these days I personally need a little bit more space” she says.
A need she shares with Sasha Kremenets : “During this time of general isolation, I miss my normal life very much. I miss visiting galleries and museums, dinners with my friends and colleagues, travels for business or just for fun. Now, my home turned into my office. Who thought I'd be locked in one day? I work from the living room, my working day has no beginning and no end : I need more space.”
Human Connection
Irina Petrakova, Simon Mraz and Katya Bruskina
Like Irina, Simon Mraz, as a true supporter of artists, is missing his daily conversation with artists : “I need very much to keep in touch with the artists I know, I think it is very important to stay in touch and not disappear in moments of crises”. For Katya Bryskina, this period is an opportunity to seek a stronger connection with herself: “It’s always a good time to invest in yourself: learn, read, meditate, slow down and reconnect with yourself, but now in particular. In one case we should focus on our own strength, on the other become stronger members of the community. We lost physical connection, but the warmth and importance of our words are increasing. We should provide care, support and empathy to each other because only together we can overcome and transform through this crisis.
Drawing by Irina Petrakova. “I'm definitely in needs of more wondering and reliable communication and connections”
Ressources
Irina Petrakova, Anna Mikhaylova, Simon Mraz and Maria Pokrovskaya
One a more concrete note, artists need creative material such as oil-sticks, canvas and so on. Product managers need tech skills. Sometimes for a given projet - and by the way, if you are good at it, Anna Mikhaylova needs some help with Tilda for a storytelling project. Sometimes in order to increase their ability to take action.
“I would like to learn about new technologies, programming in order to learn what is possible”. Simon Mraz
Business owners such as Maria Pokrovskaya, founder of ArtClever, needs talents to answers the market new craving for digital content : “We need to expand the Artclever team to continue to provide relevant knowledge in our online courses and expand the direction of faculties”.
Support
Irina Nikolskaya, Ksenia Podoynitsyna, Veronika Belousova & Margarita Pushkina
Russia is known for its lack of State support when it comes to culture. Neither for contemporary art organisations, nor for the indie music scene.
Irina Nikolskaya, founder of the Pop Up Museum, advocates for a stronger market : “Globally, taking into account the past and current realities, we - as an organisation - do not expect anything from anyone, especially from the state. As a result we have got more pressure from reality. This is why we need a developed market for art and culture”. Echoing her words, Ksenia Podoynitsyna from InArt appeals to the loyalty of collectors. But Irina goes further, calling for “terminal digital changes : an obvious direction for business”.
If you are interested in the topic of digital art market, Ksenia and Inart are soon having a Zoom event with art professionals who have a positive experience of online dealing/selling and business professionals, including Deloitte and RBCC. They will discuss which online formats actually work and what could stimulate art sales during the isolation and crisis period. Follow Ksenia on Facebook to be ready when registrations are open. The results will be published online and hopefully help artists earn money.
RUSH band SADO OPERA.
Veronika Belousova, from Rush Initiative, draws the same observation : “It’s a super weird time for the music industry and especially for the live music segment. These days, I am mostly worried about Russia independent music scene that recently started growing and blooming. Unfortunately our indies do not have any support - nor from government, nor from funds… - and they are the most vulnerable ones. My main concern is survival of independent artists and independent venues in Russia. So what we need here is any kind of support : from listeners, from private and corporate sponsors, brands, media, rights societies, government… If we dont want to let the New Russian Wave die, we have to take care of it somehow and contribute whatever each of us can.”
Margarita Pushkina, founder of Cosmoscow, focuses on the strength of the art industry as an ecosystem : “Today, when all people are divided and isolated in their homes, it is very important to feel unity with colleagues – with the Culture professionals. Online discussions could be very helpful. Recently, for example, we talked with the director of the Moscow Contemporary Art Center Winzavod – Sofia Trotsenko, and the director of V-A-C Foundation – Teresa Mavica about the future for the art market. It was a conference on Zoom, hosted by the radio "Culture". Such online meetings really help us to feel the support of colleagues and to share the news about how everyone is managing and the projects we are launching. In such situation the main thing is not to drown and build a balance between communication and productive work.
Our industry in general, as well as people engaged in creativity or management, need support – both governmental and public.
We think of Cosmoscow as a project which uses synergy and brings together the professional community and art lovers. Synergy and cooperation have always been our credo. And now it turns out to be true as never before.
Indeed, today we need to constantly analyse the current situation and together look for the solutions, think and discuss how to survive this crisis and adapt to the changes. Generally, we observe unique consolidation of various institutions. Our friends and long-term partners: museum workers and artists, curators and art critics, – come with offers of mutual support. Gallerists and collectors follow our news with special attention and humanly help a lot.”
The non-profit Cosmoscow Foundation for Contemporary Art is one of the institutions which, with well-functioning mechanisms, is able to support independent artists, art-critics and other cultural figures in a time when they are in a particularly vulnerable position. To support their action, click here.
Time
Alexandra Ionova and Alex Volkov
Alexandra Ionova shared with us the thoughts that inhabit her when pedalling on her exercise bike : “The period of a pandemic and feelings of self-isolation can be compared with modern performance, in which you suddenly become a part. You get lost in your own feelings and do not fully understand what is happening. But you have already become a part of it and you must find what it means for you.
Therefore, this time is now especially valuable. You shouldn’t try to get out of it as soon as possible. You need to find meanings for yourself both in the work that you continue to do, and in the things that you need to sacrifice.”
Alex, founder of Inty Lab, is also asking for time : “Working in the event industry means you are always in a hurry. We need time to work on internal things such as processes, pipelines, infrastructure, learning and study. So we are receiving this quarantine period as a gift and wish to use this time as much as we can.'“
IntyLab team taking its time to work.
Change & clairvoyance
Vera Maslova and Masha Yankovskaya
Facing the challenges of leading a promising startup in the cultural education field, Vera Maslova, founder of Science.Me, is asking for clairvoyance : '“It’s rather hard to ease my worried mind these days. So what I definitely need is to have the highest form of intelligence as I see it - to have a clear mind and be ready to observe the opportunities that are open right now.”
The painter Masha Yankovskaya is also calling for a collective awareness momentum. “I think that the issues we’re all facing now are happening timely. And we, human beings, should be glad that it occurred. For the last 10 years we all became estranged from each other. We don’t know the name of our neighbour anymore. We don’t think about how we talk to strangers and how that fast and strict way of speaking can be hurting. We run, as fast as possible, to get things that we don’t need. And even if we need what we are running for, we can’t even enjoy the possession once we have it, because we gotta run again.
With this insane challenge, we are forcing our nature to slay itself.
Painting by Masha Yankovskaya
Now, sitting home alone, or lucky ones of us sitting with our family or loved ones, we’ve got enough time to think : What do we really need ? Do we need to continue this marathon ? We become closer to each other. We’ve got time to call old friends and relatives to find out how they really feel, without a casual ‘how’re you mum?’.
So to answer your question about what I really need, I can tell that I need to go out after this quarantine time and feel that we’ve woken up from this sleep and opened a new chapter of life, a brand new one.”
In this special period, what do you offer ? A collective answer to discover here.
Title picture by Daniele de Batté.
For any question or request, you can contact every ArtyGeneration member on social medias, or just write me an email !
Marine
marine.b@artistikbazaar.com
