THE BACK STORY
How the AANE Artist Collaborative’s 2020 Artistic Odyssey Show came about...
Like nearly all artists, the Covid-19 pandemic closures and hit us hard. Most artists depend on shows, fairs, and similar events to sell their work. Art openings with their circling crowds, refreshments and socializing are often the best opportunities of all for making art sales. Any chance of shows or open house events has been out of the question since early spring when our own gallery and gift shop had to shut down along with all other non-essential places. That closure also meant the loss of our meeting and studio space. We hold a business meeting every month and also get together in the gallery to make art and socialize, usually over a pizza lunch.
Many of us had artwork in Spring shows at local galleries and those too suddenly had to close or never even had a chance to open. Postponed opening dates are now well into next year. Also impacting us was the fact that many of us depend on small business jobs or gig work to make ends meet and those were also closing down, getting put on hold or disappearing.
We started meeting on Zoom as soon as possible and joked that it was too bad there wasn't a way to have virtual pizza, but really our options for finding solutions to our troubles were slim. We still had our website though, so maybe we could do something like a virtual art show. Lots of artists and galleries were putting together Covid-19 artistic response events.
But we were not so sure if that was the right topic for us. In some ways, we seemed to be having a different kind of year than most. Cancelled Gallery shows and lost jobs aside, we tended to be coping with many of the shutdown issues and impacts better than many in the surrounding population (whom we call neurotypicals) were. We were feeling relief. We are generally ok with solitude. We didn't miss commutes and small talk conversations. We kind of liked not having to dress up or go places. We were happy not having to pretend to be normal all the time. Of course we shared the same worries and sorrow about the virus, and the sickness and death it has brought. We were affected by the other tumultuous happenings of the year: the revelations of systemic racism, election conflicts and polarization, the crazy weather and climate controversies. The extremely unsettled future.
But for the most part we weren't yet making much art about these topics. Some of us were out there in the midst of the fray! Others were building, or digging, or shuttling supplies. Responding to uncertainty with action. Or by spinning in the wind. Quite a few have found it difficult to make art at all. Maybe we are just taking it all in.
Most of us have kept on making art - of some kind or other. Some of us have produced amazing art or creations directly interpretating the events of 2020. Others have focused on responses to those events. In some cases we describe escapes to nature and other sanctuary spaces. Or to other worlds. Others portray companions. Or just feelings. Bursts of energy. Others are looking to the future – where are we going? What would a better, less crazy world be like. Many journeys. One epic journey together. Mythic. An Odyssey.