The Article below was published in Vol. 136, Issue 1 of the Lake Forest College Stentor on September 18, 2020.
Ivana Budjarovska ’24
Staff Writer
budjarovskai@mx.lakeforest.edu
There is a strange feeling when meeting distant friends at the newest art exhibitions in town, and eagerly making dinner plans that you both know are never going to happen. Together, we stare at coats of paint smeared across the huge canvases in front of us and complain about the traffic on the way to the museum. The ability to relate to someone excites us and makes us feel human.
Since COVID-19 has forced us to postpone the wishful dinner plans with our art-loving friends, we might as well turn to other mediums. To make that easier for all of us, I compiled a list of five online art activities and exhibitions you can check out instead of staring at your bedroom ceiling.
1. Your daily dose of poetry
I completely understand if you’re reluctant about opening up your dusty poetry books and carefully re-reading the same poems over and over (and over and over and over…) again. To help you break out of that routine, Instagram has come to your rescue with a number of poetry accounts that publish short works by a diverse array of poets who keep up with ongoing political events. To get started, check out any of the following four accounts: https://www.instagram.com/parisreview/
https://www.instagram.com/poetsorg/
https://www.instagram.com/poetryfoundation/
https://www.instagram.com/buttonpoetry/
2. MoMA’s free online courses
Have you ever daydreamed about having full virtual access to some of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA’s) most interesting and in-depth art courses? Probably not. But if you are interested now, check them out at https://www.coursera.org/moma or at MoMA’s official website https://www.moma.org/research-and-learning/classes. Taught by some of the most accredited curators, designers, and art historians, you will have the chance to learn about anything from post-war abstract paintings to the impact of photography throughout its 180 years of existence.
3. Google’s Arts & Culture
If you’re interested in becoming a master of art trivia or finding hidden details in 17th-century Japanese paintings, then https://artsandculture.google.com/ is the right site for you. You will definitely lose yourself in the world of hypnotizing Korean gardens and radiant African-American jazz, and maybe become inspired to start creating your own art.
4. Cher’s stylish ’90s workout video
Okay, I admit it. This activity doesn’t come close to museum exhibitions or melancholic poetry readings under a willow tree, but it may boost your serotonin! Quarantine has left many of us feeling anxious and heavy, so if you want to let it all out, Cher’s extremely fun and aesthetically pleasing ’90s workout is the literal best (sorry, Jane Fonda). All you will need to do is put on some comfortable clothes, free extra space in your bedroom, and be eager to enjoy Cher’s spectacular black bodysuit and her amazing energy. You can find the workout video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uR_h2ePmjM
5. Drool at Pinterest interior design accounts and get inspired to redecorate your bedroom
Yes, I am speaking from experience. I got super sick from the old and dirty mint-colored wall in my room, so I repainted it olive-green, bought fabulous pink velvet curtains, and a super comfortable mattress for my bed. While this activity might require a bit of money, depending on what you would like to change up, it will leave you feeling refreshed and eager to take on any assignments that are coming up soon. Go, YOU! The easiest way to grab some inspiration, and perhaps become jealous of other people’s rooms, is to check out https://www.pinterest.com/
