Site of publication: Artwork Archive
Type of publication: Article
Date of publication: 2020
Art allows us to examine what it means to be human, to voice and express, and to bring people and ideas together.
As we rise to the challenge of our new normal of life in a global pandemic, we are seeing more clearly what needs to change in our pre-COVID-19 society.
We are still experiencing a global pandemic. We are engaging with racial injustice made more visible with George Floyd’s death and the recent protests across the globe. In times of crisis, we need humanity, expression, and the community that the arts create.
Art is an expression of what it means to be human
Art-making and viewing art allows us to process our experiences. Art helps us to express and to understand the world around us.
We are unique in our human drive to create and engage with the arts. Historically, humans have been visually expressive beings. The cave of the hands, Cueva de las Manos, in Argentina is an example of early visual expression. The artwork in the cave carbon-dates to an estimated 7300 BC. These cave walls host a hybrid of hunting scenes and relief handprints, probably made by blowing paint materials through hollowed-out bones, or reeds. This sea of overlapping hands and illustration provides a lens into a past life and builds a present-day connection with our stone-age ancestors.
We define our human experience by the cultures we create and participate in. Culture, made up of customs, social interactions, and activities, is fueled by the arts. Be it music, food, or visual arts, culture and the arts are inseparable.
We are seeing an increased turn to the arts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, we have turned to art engagement as a source of comfort and strength. Participating in and viewing art makes us connect to a more universal human experience. Be it art-making at home, public murals, watching and listening to plays and music, or new-found interests in culinary arts, art is an expression of what it means to be human.
Art fosters understanding between communities
As we globally grapple with inequalities that have always existed but are more visible and striking in the past weeks, we are seeing art being used as a tool to create stronger communities. Art can allow us to not just understand ourselves, but to understand each other on a deeper level.
Museums today are also working to be more community-informed, but they are working within the heavy frameworks of their past. Historically, museums have reinforced inequality in their structure and tradition of exclusivity, in objectifying other cultures, and with unjustly collected artworks. However, there are many museums that are working to overcome this past. Many institutions are working to repatriate, create self-aware programming, and to re-interpret and re-contextualize their collections.
We are seeing an increased turn to the arts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Globally, we have turned to art engagement as a source of comfort and strength. Participating in and viewing art makes us connect to a more universal human experience. Be it art-making at home, public murals, watching and listening to plays and music, or new-found interests in culinary arts, art is an expression of what it means to be human
With the internet at our fingertips, gaining access to art made by historically unrepresented voices and thoughtful museums is easier and more important than ever.
Art is good for our health
While you are enjoying art viewing and engaging with different perspectives from home, revel in the knowledge that you are being healthy!
Art is a proven tool for stress reduction and well being. There are countless studies into the physical and mental benefits of making art, and the benefits of even looking at an artwork. Making and looking at art has long-term effects like boosting our brain function and our immune systems as well as contributing positively to our mental and emotional health. Art helps us process trauma, express difficult feelings, and work through experiences.
Art has promoted health within our homes during COVID-19 as families have been getting creative at home. As we are spending more time with ourselves and during this pandemic, art and craft-making have rocketed.
Public art allows us to see ourselves and our identities within a larger society and to feel comfortable in our surroundings. It’s no surprise that statues of oppressive historical figures are being removed as a part of the current social justice movement. When our environments represent and reflect our experiences and communities, we are healthier and happier.
Art is good for our health
While you are enjoying art viewing and engaging with different perspectives from home, revel in the knowledge that you are being healthy!
Art is a proven tool for stress reduction and well being. There are countless studies into the physical and mental benefits of making art, and the benefits of even looking at an artwork. Making and looking at art has long-term effects like boosting our brain function and our immune systems as well as contributing positively to our mental and emotional health. Art helps us process trauma, express difficult feelings, and work through experiences.
Art has promoted health within our homes during COVID-19 as families have been getting creative at home. As we are spending more time with ourselves and during this pandemic, art and craft-making have rocketed.
Public art allows us to see ourselves and our identities within a larger society and to feel comfortable in our surroundings. It’s no surprise that statues of oppressive historical figures are being removed as a part of the current social justice movement. When our environments represent and reflect our experiences and communities, we are healthier and happier.
Art helps us express gratitude during difficult times
While we are not able to congregate with friends and families as we usually would as we live through this pandemic, art allows us to create a message of gratitude from a distance.
Public art allows us to see ourselves and our identities within a larger society and to feel comfortable in our surroundings. It’s no surprise that statues of oppressive historical figures are being removed as a part of the current social justice movement. When our environments represent and reflect our experiences and communities, we are healthier and happier
In the past few weeks, artists of all types and from all over the world have been creating artworks that thank essential workers and healthcare workers.
For example, New York City is releasing digital artistically rendered public service announcements and messages of hope and solidarity through a city-wide art campaign. Artists are creating works to replace advertisements across the city.
In Denver, artist Austin Zucchini-Fowler started a series of murals that depict healthcare professionals as angels— masked, with wings, and donning boxing gloves. Zucchini-Fowler has expanded the series to include other professionals— a teacher with wings appeared during Teacher Appreciation Week in early May and a winged chef recently emerged on a downtown wall.
Art makes close-to-home spaces more meaningful
As more people are taking walks around their neighborhoods as a way to get out of their homes while still following social distancing guidelines, art helps us tune in to the spaces and people around us.
In neighborhoods across the US, families are creating chalk art murals and messages. “Chalking the walk” allows creators and walkers to experience places in a more personal way.
Similarly, people are decorating their windows and laws with signs and Christmas lights to create visual cheer. Hearts made of Christmas lights are popping up across the United States as a way to spread positivity and create a visual connection with neighbors.
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