Art in the Time of COVID

Whoever is writing this dystopian novel has a lot to answer for. Schools look like ghost towns as classes transfer to the digital realm. Travel plans unravel or are cut short. Concerts and Shakespeare plays we have been looking forward to for the past three months are looking less and less likely by the second. And worst of all, "health" lies weak and fragile in our hands. For the first time, I am actively realizing that the world is precarious, and I am precarious in it.

So what do you do during a global crisis that has left you with an excessive amount of downtime? You take care of people, and you begin by taking care of yourself. You keep your hands clean and your belly full and your sleep schedule regular. You love your friends and family from a safe six-feet distance. And, of course, you do what you need to do to take care of your mental and emotional health.

Just one small problem: my brain needs to be sprinting to run properly. I am at my best when I am making dangerous close calls against trains on the way to the music center or the Umble Center. When I think "self-care," I think art. And when I think art, I think at least four hundred people piled into a room watching performers draw on the most naked, human parts of themselves. This disease disconnects me from not only my support systems but what is essentially my weekly therapy.

But as years of writing prompts have taught me, creativity is fueled by constraint. Take a color away, and you find new shades you didn't believe were possible. In the midst of shutdowns and borders, let's find some new hues.

To get started, I have included a list of artistic endeavors that allow you to care for yourself both physically and mentally. However, it is not exhaustive. Feel free to contact me with any other artistic suggestions you have, and maybe I'll write another one of these posts with the responses I get. "Together" has never been a matter of distance. Only intimacy.

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10 PROJECTS FOR A PANDEMIC

1. Let's start simple. If you are a person over the age of 16, you most likely own an adult coloring book. Or who gives a crap if it's for adults? Use a children's coloring book or print pages for free online. In these desperate times, Crayola is the new Prismacolor.

2. Especially now, laughter is essential. And weirdly enough, the world is full potential for some stupidly dark comedy. Make memes, Finstas, comics, or even YouTube videos. Warning: keep in mind that the purpose of comedy is to connect us through laughter, not to degrade or cause others further harm.

3. "Words of affirmation" is one of the five languages, and it doesn’t require any swapping of bodily fluids. Get out your colored pens and washi tape, and create affirmation cards for those you care about. Embrace those around you with your words, even if you can't with your arms.

4. Large groups may not be able to meet, but that doesn't mean we can't meet in smaller groups. Create a small vocal ensemble, or plan a collaging night. As always, be mindful of with whom and how you creating. You may not feel particularly vulnerable, but your friends may.

5. Can't be together physically? Thank God for the internet! Work on an exquisite corpse using FoldingStory. You can start your own, add to the work of others, or just enjoy reading the multitude of stories gone wrong currently on the website.

6. If going outside is an option for you, take advantage of it! As spring comes up through the sidewalks cracks, find some flowers or leaves to press. Take pictures of the world around you, and share them with the people who need to remember the world outside of their newsfeed.

7. April is National Poetry Month and fast approaching. However, it is never too early to start writing. Set an achievable goal for yourself such as writing one poem a day or even just once a week. Hitting writer’s block? Pinterest boards like this one are filled with poetry prompts and monthly poetry challenges.

8. Want to try out a new medium? Begin your career as an amateur podcaster. Apps such as Anchor provide the space to easily make audio content and upload it to the appropriate platforms. If it seems like too much of an endeavor, remember to do what is right for you now at this moment. Just because you start something now doesn't mean you are locked into for the rest of time.

9. We all need to process our emotions. Creativity is a wonderful way to do just that. Take what you are feeling, and turn it into a picture or song or interpretive dance. You don't have to show it to anyone unless that is what you need. The fact that you have done it for yourself is enough.

10. And, of course, start a blog to vent your frustrations to the world closing down around you.

Be safe until next time.