VIRTUAL EXHIBITION: TOGETHERNESS REDEFINED: CREATIVITY IN THE FACE OF COVID-19

 

Corona virus (COVID-19) is a communicable respiratory disease caused by a new strain of corona virus that causes illness in humans. The disease spreads from person to person through infected air droplets that are projected during sneezing or coughing. It can also be transmitted when humans have contact with hands or surfaces that contain the virus and touch their eyes, nose, or mouth with the contaminated hands. It was first reported in Wuhan, China, but have spread throughout the world.

CoronaVirus (genengnews.com) 

This is period when everyone, the world over is restricted to their homes, thereby working from home where necessary. The artist/art teacher is not left out of this. Hence, the Department of Fine Arts & Design, called for artworks from staff of the Department for a virtual exhibition featuring, “Togetherness Redefined: Creativity in the face of COVID-19”. Artworks are produced in line with the effects and changes caused by the emergence of the pandemic in the society and the world at large. Being together simply means closeness, having physical contact or in a close relationship. It involves meeting, seeing, touching and other physical activities between people or a group. 

Togetherness according to Hornby (2007) is the feeling you have when you are with people you like, especially family and friends. Art exhibitions bring a large number of people and nations together for relaxation, entertainment, sales and education. This is done at group and solo exhibitions planned and put together for a huge show with music and entertainment. Artists are usually privileged to meet with the big names in art and make new friends, take photographs that speak volumes and learn new techniques from each other.

The ridged idea of art and design inventories being best displayed physically for people to see and feel details is gradually becoming obsolete, thereby redefining togetherness. Virtual exhibition is working out well for the artist so togetherness is actually redefined affecting the economy and social life (tourism) with countries closing down and workshops, conferences, exhibitions getting postponed or cancelled. The ridged idea of art and design inventories being best displayed physically for people to see and feel details is gradually becoming obsolete, thereby redefining togetherness. Virtual exhibition is working out well for the artist so togetherness is actually redefined affecting the economy and social life (tourism) with countries closing down and workshops, conferences, exhibitions getting postponed or cancelled.

COVID-19 pandemic has created crisis situation for the artist, leading to severe emotional and economic setbacks in the art community. The imagination of artists are wild and restless such that ideas cannot be kept to wait for post COVID-19 period making the internet the new normal for exhibitions and recognition of artists locally and internationally. Hence the need for the staff of the Department of Fine Arts and Design to key into the new normal which the world has diverted to. Artists are therefore regrouping and reinventing new normal, as galleries and museums are no longer crowd or people friendly, thereby resorting more to social media/internet/online exhibitions and sales. The internet now seem to be the best for a larger audience to view artworks, for novelty and education at virtual exhibitions to avoid physical contact as a safety measure to curb the spread. The big questions are “What have you been doing during the lock down? How have you been able to cope with this virus as a creative person? How can you encourage yourself and the world to survive during this period? What innovations have you introduced through writing or visual artworks? It is an avenue for lecturers to showcase our art to the world as creative scholars with great potentials. The works presented at the exhibition have tried to answer these questions in visual.

This virtual exhibition is an alternative source of income, especially for the digital artists. Artist without an alternative source of exhibiting their works are facing uncertainty and will be the most affected as they rely on their artistry particularly having crowd converging and purchasing their art works during exhibitions and workshops. Art is a catalyst for change and also a place of refuge during change, especially in times like this. Art offers solace, hope and inspiration, even more so during periods of complexity. Artists have taken to make various types of face masks, hand washes, posters and billboards, virtual adverts.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the world being able to view artworks more. Art has played a critical role in creating solidarity despite social distancing, in soothing during panic and in motivating during hopelessness. This is so because while at home, people fall back to online information more, having been restricted to their homes. These art works being displayed online have redefined the idea of physical contact among artists, the general public and just few guests to exhibitions. Sales are more online to international consumers and foreign currency will add value to artists.

This is however our first attempt. I hope that as you view this virtual exhibition, you will enjoy it and call to buy our works online. Don’t fail to drop your comments for improvement. We are just a call or WhatsApp away from you. 

Do enjoy the exhibition, and keep your mind away from the pandemic and stay safe and alive.