How to Mend the Brokenness? Some Solace during COVID-19 Part IV

This is part IV of an unfolding mini-series trying to provide some starting points to reimagine futures, provide solace and at least start somewhere. If you want to contribute find the form here>

Following answers provided by:

Anonymous, Art Historian und Museum Worker, Norway

What or who is helping you to cope during these times?

I guess the same as usual… probably somewhat “classics”, but I’ll share a few:

I always appreciate keeping family and friends close (even though many are living in different places all over the world), enjoying their conversations and energy, and I especially value when people allow me to be there for them in return. It is also very encouraging to speak with other people who work in the art world and who can truly relate to the passion, creativity, structures and challenges we meet every day. I am very fortunate to have a few people in my circle who are both close friends and who can relate to situations from this perspective.

I also believe that honoring the feelings and emotions that come up is important. It’s easier said than done, I know, but still – I find it helpful.

Other things: Regular exercises and hobbies, fresh air, smile, food, water, and a good night sleep… oh, and ice cream and/or snacks. I dance every single day (almost), sometimes just for a short moment or goofing around (it has always been my go-to-thing). Last, but certainly not least: Stop. Take a deep breath (or more). It is ok to slow down without feeling guilty.

What have you learned through this mess?

It is not something I have learned now, but a positive reminder (one that keeps coming back to me every now and again) is to honor questions I can’t answer, or rather: I don’t know how to answer quite yet.

One aspect related to this for me now is to find a job, and not having a clear path on what my plans are is feeling exciting, challenging and liberating all at the same time. So, as many questions arise that I can’t answer at this very moment, I focus on what I know. What I do know is that there are so many inspiring areas in the art world that make me happy, that I am curious about and that I would like to explore and research – and now I have the time and I am using this opportunity to dive into some of these areas, which excites me every day.

How did this situation affect your work and what have you learned?

I have been unemployed more or less since the beginning of this year. Now, as many in the art world are familiar with, being unemployed from time to time or having slow periods as a freelancer happens. Unemployment and job hunting can be frustrating and exhausting, and rejections are certainly not the best confidence boost. However, instead of focusing on that part of it, I decided to embrace this time. For me it has been important to appreciate this time and appreciate this as an opportunity to refresh, reenergize and refocus. As it turned out, this extra time has enabled me to explore different areas of the art world, my own projects and getting involved in a different way than I had done before, which I really enjoy. As the weeks and months passed by I was slowly getting my ducks in a row. Projects and a few processes were coming along, and then – everything was abruptly stopped or postponed because of lockdown in March.

Being unemployed before and during this situation I’ve learned a few things of course, but I’ll share particularly one observation with you:

What caught me by surprise was the way people reacted to unemployment. I found one of the most difficult parts of this experience to be when I told people I was unemployed … getting their reactions and when they let me know (in both subtle and not so subtle ways) how it was not ‘socially acceptable’, as though I wasn’t trying hard enough. Even more so (in some cases): The awkward silence that followed when I said that I did not perceive unemployment as a failure, but it could be a great opportunity, perhaps even a commencement of something new. The (temporary) situation certainly does not take away the skills or knowledge you already have, and it is important to remember that a linear CV might be more often than not outside of our control.

During this year, unemployment has unfortunately become a reality for so many. When the pandemic spread, jobs were cut (temporary or permanently) and many were going through the process of being furloughed or fired. Personally, through this mess I am actually happy to notice that similar thoughts and discussions I have had earlier this year, are now topics talked about or addressed repeatedly (with variations of course) in the news, in podcasts, on the radio, in daily conversations, etc. Also, it is nice to notice how people are now slightly more understanding when talking about unemployment or other issues related to the matter – actions of support and respect that I hope will be remembered and will continue to develop in a positive direction. Respectfully, I am very aware that this isolated experience is a small issue compared to how serious the situation is, the many different side-effects and catastrophe many are experiencing.

What have you been learning about community?

This is a big question, and I don’t have an immediate and clear answer, but I will offer what I recognize from my perspective in the art world: I find it reassuring to see people coming together, researching and finding solutions, and showing understanding, patience, affection and compassion for one another in many different ways. I hope this helps, and perhaps some of these changes and experiences could also be of great support and inspire us in the future.