Hello guides!

Welcome to a blog about art that will keep us informed, involved and connected in this challenging time.

It is now uncertain when we will gather again as a group. As we are limited to virtual communication, this blog will provide a forum for ideas and information that will be updated on a regular basis. It will not replace weekly Notices or important emails but will allow the sharing of thoughts and experiences by us all. Please feel free to comment and let us know what catches your interest as we adjust to the new normal.

To start the ball rolling, thanks to Nita Jawary for sharing this ‘Daily Shout’ from the New Yorker – ‘Techniques for not touching your face, according to works of art’: https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/techniques-for-not-touching-your-face-according-to-works-of-art

And to Julie Stone for alerting us to another KAWS endeavour – a free augmented reality ‘Companion’ to entertain those stuck at home: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/kaws-augmented-reality-1800375

And to Lee Emery who nominated John Brack’s ‘Collins Street, 5pm‘ as the NGV work that connects to her experience of the world today: ‘Remember when we travelled by crowded trains to the heart of Melbourne; trawled the art galleries, went to fascinating theatres, cinemas or lectures, shopped for treasures in laneways, ate together in crowded cafés, stood in queues and were just part of the busy, bustling throng. Now, I now see all crowd scenes throughout the NGV anew; the world seems so different this week. I can imagine every figure in John Brack’s Collins Street painting wearing a face mask or avoiding contact with the next person by leaving a gap. How would the coronavirus impact on the grouping of figures in any NGV work?’

Finally, a very short video, ‘Safety Match‘, by artists Juan Delcan and Valentina Izaguirre which reminds us of the importance of social distancing: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/artists-viral-match-video-coronavirus-1805979