Los Angeles Adapts to Artist-in-Residence
Throughout any public crisis, we are challenged to adapt, to grow into a new normal. The grief we experience during most public crises looks and feels radically different to what many of us are experiencing today amid the COVID-19 quarantine. Many people are uncertain about their jobs, and all of us are fighting the simple reality of having to stay inside our house, separated from friends and loved ones and the simple pleasure of being part of our neighborhoods, our cities, our world. The personal and public words have moved online, and we are being challenged, as a people, to think outside of the (very literal) box we’ve all been placed in.
With all of that in mind, it’s never been more important that you love the home you’re in. Many of us are finding ways to socialize online, via social media and other services. Amid the quarantine many businesses have gotten back to work, moving in-person services online or over the phone where possible. The Los Angeles arts community is nothing if not resourceful, and many of our city’s most dedicated are finding new ways to make art during this current crisis we are all living through together. LA is filled with courageous people who moved here because it’s bustling with opportunities to show how creative you can be and to build a business, brand, connections and education by being out and this chapter of our lives is not changing that. In our vibrant community, we are now seeing artists take ownership of the artist-in-residence title.
Robiee Zee’s has adapted her passion for lifestyle photography and coin a whole new meaning to “porch photography.” She’s documenting the hugs, smiles, fears, and hopes of families, neighbors, and friends never entering their home. She found a way to connect with people, tell their story and document this event from a variety of perspectives.
Local artist Kii Arens, well known for his concert posters and painted pineapples, Kii Arens has taken the initiative to found QuarARTine, inviting anyone interested to submit art that promotes positive virus messaging. Artists on the show already include Shepard Fairey, Paul Frank, and many more. Kii is keeping submissions open until May 15th, and invites any artist willing to participate in showcasing their in-home creativity.
For those illustrators and designers needing a little inspiration for their shelter-in-place project, art teachers Carson Ellis and Wendy Mac have opened their online doors, releasing tutorial videos on IGTV, and coaching others on how to build communities around their art. They’ve asked artists engaging with them to hashtag their work #quarantineartclub and #drawtogether.
From the young to old, people are all finding ways to build and create from their homes. And more importantly connect with people of all ages to build a community of positivity in a time when some are struggling to see that light. These types of teachers, finding the light for others, are not alone.
Dancer, Galen Hooks, has started doing a variety of online dance courses, bringing community and intimate connection together and giving people something to look forward to while at home. She started with an IGTV video asking her followers what they needed and wanted out of an in-home dance class and has come up with several group classes as well as, one on one courses you can sign up for. Proving #quarentine2020, isn't just about being safe. It's about finding ways to move, dance, and feel free to be connected with other’s from the comforts of home.
Hotel Cafe has long been a venue where up-and-coming and local artists get a chance to share their work with a knowledgeable audience. Unwilling to let the opportunity go to waste, they’ve given new meaning to the term “artists in residence” and put forward a series of “uncancelled” shows, moving all performances online using Stageit. For many bands this amounts to a valuable gig, and for audiences, a chance to see live music online in a new format, even amid quarantine. Bringing a new value to the home concert.
Great restaurants like Mozza are also seeing the light in this and finding ways to give back by providing free meals to all restaurant employees in the greater Los Angeles area, affected by the Cvoid 19 layoffs. Nancy Silverton has raised funds and received contributions from Maker’s Mark and the Lee Initiative to make this opportunity available to those out of work and at home. The entertainment and food industries are what make LA the greatest city to live in and it’s empowering to see everyone coming together to innovate and find ways to see the light and be creative together in order to make it to the other side of this. It seems that even in the hardest of moments, Los Angelenos will find a way to draw out the best in each other and connect.
If you have changed your business model and adapted and morphed your way to find ways to succeed through this crisis, please share your story of innovation here!
