How to Mend the Brokenness? Some Solace during COVID-19 Part III
/This is part III 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>
WHAT GAVE YOU SOME SOLACE LATELY? SHARE BOOKS, POEMS, PODCAST EPISODES... SHARE RESOURCES YOU FOUND HELPFUL AND MIGHT HELP OTHERS
Michael Dooney: "Comedy has given me solace since before the pandemic and continues to do so throughout. Social distancing is obviously important but cognitively distancing from the news cycle and how much the art world/market has been impacted is helping me stay sane."
*As some of you know I’ve been curating the exhibition Mycelia where we’re looking into the metrics that shape artistic success (spoiler: it’s race, class and gender). Our society praises the belief in meritocracy, success as the fruit of hard labor, but if we look closer into the systemic conditions, success is not simply a linear progression. Artistic success depends on a healthy network. But what does this network look like in a society that puts competition over solidarity? What does artistic success require? What does a healthy artistic ecosystem need? The exhibition has been given me a lot of comfort and I’m grateful for all the conversations that took and are taking place. Due to the safety restriction in place the physical exhibition is accompanied by a digital program with artist conversation dealing with the glass ceiling, notions of success and more as well as two recorded panel discussion in German and English. You can find the videos on the YouTube channel of the exhibition.
*It’s very related to my research, so it might not surprise anyone that I absolutely love the podcast “How to fail” with Elizabeth Day. Her special episode where Listeners share their Coronavirus stories moved me to tears and the episode with Alain De Botton on embracing vulnerability in the age of Coronavirus might be among the most comforting things I’ve listened to during this strange time.
What or who is helping you to cope during these times?
Michael Dooney: My wife and daily exercise. We’ve managed to build a new routine around the restrictions, and when one of us is feeling overwhelmed the other is there for support. We’re being mindful not to put too much pressure on ourselves to be productive, so using the situation as an opportunity to slow down and appreciate what we still have.
What have you learned through this mess?
Michael Dooney: "How fragile everything really is. Society makes us feel as though we’re indestructible, that our actions have no consequences and as long as we don’t pay too much attention to the problems in the world, they eventually go away. This couldn’t be further from the truth and the outbreak really exemplifies this.
On a more personal level I’ve learnt to better accept that which is outside of my control, and that it is ok to miss out on things."
How did this situation affect your work and what have you learned?
Michael Dooney: “In the short term I’ve lost 80% of my upcoming projects, teaching, coaching and related work. Although this is time (and money) lost, the remaining 20% can now gain from the newly available resources. So I’m learning to shift my focus and adapt to the circumstances.”
*I participated in these two webinars organized by OECD in collaboration with ICOM on the impact of COVID-19 on museums and the cultural industry. There are recordings of both now available
What have you been learning about community?
Michael Dooney: “The art world is notoriously competitive, and success, however it may be defined, hinges on so many factors that people can be reluctant to help one another. Yet during this pandemic people have been banding together online, sharing resources and helping one another get through the situation. So it has been reassuring seeing many people step up and support one another in this critical time."
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* My answers
