Wondering what to do from home when social distancing is still restricted? The art world is becoming increasingly creative in helping us think about and view artists’ works and exhibitions, from the comfort/limit of our surroundings.
Here are a few options for you to experience the art world from home. Art in lockdown is still very possible (and very necessary).
Online Exhibitions
Photo credit: Ross Ryan via The Scottish Gallery
The Scottish Gallery has regular updates on what would have been upcoming exhibitions, films to enjoy, and staff picks of favourite pictures and objects in The Gallery’s collection.
One of the shows, now being shown online is Ross Ryan’s, ‘Batten Down the Hatches’ from 29th April 2020 – 31st May 2020.
I am going to admit now, I am totally biased. Ross’ family home is Crinan, and the family have run the Crinan Hotel for as long as I can remember. As kids, we spent many an early evening, post adventuring out and about the islands, having a coke and packet of crisps in the hotel bar.
Photo credit: Crinanhotel.com
The hotel is full of his mother’s paintings, Frances MacDonald. Ross takes his boat, Sgarbh, out to the islands, and literally paints on the deck. You can see the exhibition online, and get a quick tour of his boat Sgarbh, moored up in the Crinan basin via YouTube.
Artists in Isolation
The Scottish Gallery is also featuring Great Scots In Isolation, a series of short films of artists during isolation. I love the variety of ways each artist has chosen to be filmed. Ross is in his hen house, Andrea Geile is working on a new steel outdoor sculpture with her blowtorch, Nancy Sutcliffe is working on gilding her glass designs with gold leaf.
It is a rather intimate window into their lives, and thoroughly watchable.
Family Creativity
Feeling creative? The Getty Museum is challenging you to recreate a work of art with objects from your home. Pick a favourite work of art. find 3 things lying around at home – objects or people/animals.
Recreate the artwork with your 3 things. I have yet to persuade my crew to give this a go, but with the weather set to turn, I reckon we might have a go this weekend! I’ll try to post the picture on Facebook so give the page a follow!
There are many options to still experience art during lockdown and pass the time. Museums and galleries are having to think outside the box, and bring culture to us. In the long run it may benefit many of those who wouldn’t normally have physical access to all these treasures. A small upside to what is a testing time for all.