Welcome to the Pandemic

This is my first blog post from the COVID-19 pandemic.

I'm sure it won't be my last.

I had two exciting engagements for my big sculptures scheduled for this summer, and both of them got cancelled on Monday of this week. I wasn't exactly surprised, but... disappointed nonetheless. 

All things considered, this is a small price to pay in these extraordinary times; many people are suffering much more than we are. But still, a bit of a bummer.

One gig involved installing With Open Arms in San Jose, California, in front of the San Jose Art Museum for the entire summer. This would have been a prestigious location and I was looking forward to it.

The other gig was a week-long exhibition of Hand of Man and Fledgling in Rijeka, Croatia, in connection with that city's status as a European Cultural Capital for 2020. That show was going to facilitate a 2-month long stay for Christina, Kodiak, and me in Europe this summer, a trip which also seems indefinitely 'on hold.'

Both shows are technically 'not cancelled, just postponed to some unknown time in the future,' but I can imagine that this status could shift to 'cancelled' quite easily, depending on how things go.

Both of these engagements have been in the works for over a year. And now, in one day, both are cancelled or indefinitely postponed. It's just one example, my little example, of how quickly and drastically things are changing these days. 

But it turns out that Taos, New Mexico... the sweet little town I call home... is not such a bad place to be in a time like this. And living outside of town, on a few open acres of land, with no real job (to lose) and no mortgages also has its advantages. This time of 'lockdown,' of radically reduced travel and social interaction, does not really feel very different from regular everyday life for us. The biggest differences are that we are driving MUCH less, and that school has been cancelled for the next few weeks (and I think it will remain closed for longer than that) and so Kodiak is at home with us all day, every day. This brings some challenges, but also plenty of blessings. It's great to have the opportunity to spend more time with him and I know he enjoys the time with us. He has always expressed a wish to be home-schooled, and now that Christina is playing teacher (with daily lessons in reading and math, sent from his school by email) he is finally getting that wish. Plus, he gets to see what sort of work Christina and I do on a daily basis. It's a nice time of family integration. And when he is not learning, he has a trampoline to jump on, acres of land to explore, a workshop to tinker in, and animals to play with (and feed!). All of this, only a few miles from a politically progressive small town blessed with good weather, good people, and surrounded by abundant nature. Increasingly, I have a hard time imagining myself living anywhere else in America. 

Speaking of daily work, since we have been in lockdown (it's only been a week so far) we have gone crazy with home-improvement projects. In fact I almost feel more busy now than I did before this country got slammed by COVID-19 ten days ago. 

We have begun a moderately ambitious project to build a roof over our deck.... 

I built a loft-bed for Kodiak...

 and we totally reconfigured his room...

And we reconfigured our living room. I'm getting some long-delayed sewing projects done. Next up we will repair and improve our ranch gate... 

the gateway to our land. Check out Huginn and Muninn, perched on the gate! (You can barely see it in this picture, but the gate is tied to the Subjugator to keep it from falling over)
And after that... more projects. 

In fact, so far I am really enjoying this shut-down of society as we know it. It is suddenly acceptable to be completely asocial. It is perfectly OK, actually it is strongly advised, to just stay home and get shit done. I know that some people feel adversely affected by the sudden removal of all social interaction, it seems some folks are actually having a very hard time with this aspect, but I guess I'm not one of them. I am lucky to have my amazing little family here, and so far we are having a sweet time, socially isolated on our little piece of dirt. 

About 2 weeks ago I had to step away from my painting to focus on other projects, but for several weeks leading up to that time I was totally 'in the zone.' I was painting every day and making great progress. At this point I am really still working on my first 'real' painting, but I'm about 90% done and can't wait to get back to it. I'm pretty sure I will post a picture of it here when it is finished. 

The closest thing to a serious and recognized art museum in Taos is called The Harwood, and for the first time in 17 years the Harwood recently put out an open call for submissions from local artists for a group show of Taos art. Christina and I both applied. I submitted a kinetic sculpture of a robotic hand as well as my painting, unfortunately in an unfinished state (but with a promise to finish it soon.) Fingers crossed; it would be fun to have my first painting accepted into a museum show. 

Back when we lived in Berlin I observed that looking at art seemed to have a calming effect on me. I don't feel hugely effected by this coronavirus crisis... but I think it is a background stress factor for me, as it must be for anyone else who is paying attention. In fact, part of the reason I can surmise that it is a stressor is that I have an increased desire to look at art. If the Met were open right now, and within reach, I would be spending the day there (wearing a mask and gloves.. or whatever... you get the idea.) Art, for me anyway, sends a message of historical continuity, the persistence of human endeavor, the enduring effort to be creative and make beauty. I feel like these are good things to remember, in these times.

The last TV series we watched around here was Fleabag... which comes with my very highest recommendation... and now we are watching something called Outlander. Outlander is sometimes pretty cheesy... occasionally having the feeling of a romance novel, but it is anchored by a really stellar performance by its lead actress. In fact I think the strong female characters at the centers of these two shows are what really recommend them. My cup of tea, anyway. (I'm considering painting portraits of the protagonists... Too cheesy? Maybe.)

If you are reading this, it means I count you as a friend... and I sincerely hope that you are finding a way to get through these unprecedented times without too much hardship.

A lot of people are going to face some tough decisions, but I think there are real opportunities for a re-structuring of priorities and lifestyle choices which could, in the end, prove to be positive... providing we all actually survive. 

Be safe. Survive. Be productive.
In that order.

Well, that's what I think.

Cheers