 “Art is kind of a reflection of society and an interaction with social values and experiences and whatever happens in the artist’s life. Even if you do the most abstract nonrepresentational work.” -- Enrique Chagoya. As we gingerly begin imagining what a post-Covid society might be like, which aspects of this experience will we take forward? For an answer we can look to the arts, which as Stanford's Professor Chagoya told the Times, directly and indirectly reflect our lived experiences. Even abstract art is rooted in these concrete aspects of being here in a time of such moments consequence. But our community arts groups are among the most disrupted by the economic dislocation of the pandemic. Chagoya was referring to the visual arts, where I had an unlikely involvement years ago -- as a dealer. It goes like this: Hurricanes had followed me around for years. My friend Gus was a contractor on Sanibel-Captiva Islands off of Florida's Gulf Coast. We got to know each other because both of us had daughters who were home schooling there at the time. After one big storm hit the islands, Gus drove around helping people do repairs and get their lives back in order. He did it in a neighborly kind of way, not for money or anything like that. One man he helped was named Bob. He appreciated Gus's help so much he later become a client. Bob turned out to be Robert Rauschenberg, and over the next few years, as Gus built his seaside studio, the artist paid for his work not so much with cash but with original paintings. To make a very long story short, Gus called me and asked if knew anyone who might like to buy them. Over the next few years I managed to sell three Rauschenberg paintings for Gus, two in the States and one in France. Gus kept at least one piece for himself, which is pictured here. *** As more of us get vaccinated, the indications of whether we are less likely to spread the virus are mixed. There are some hopeful signs here and there but I'll wait for the scientists to weigh in on that question. In addition to the art that is emerging from the pandemic, over breakfast at a coastal resort Friday my daughter and I discussed other long-term consequences that may emerge during the coming months and years. * Valuing gatherings. * Masking when feeling ill. * Starting home-based businesses. * Home-schooling. * Gardening. * Reconnecting with old friends. * Recording elders' stories. * Reckless socializing. * Facing climate change. Of course that list can go on and on, and it is completely arbitrary. For every positive, ether are corresponding negatives, with the rise of hate-based extremism and anti-fact propaganda front of mind. And I can't but wonder if some people will simply seal themselves off from society as an impact of the pandemic, sort of like those Japanese soldiers who hid away in the South Pacific for decades after World War II ended. Or Howard Hughes in his final years. It's not that hard to turn into a hermit. But for some of us, the end of isolation will bring a chance to live more fully and maybe, just maybe find a way to work for a better future. If we give hope a chance, we might begin collectively begin seeing today through the lens of tomorrow, not just as the world was yesterday. *** |
The headlines:
* Texas and California, the country’s two largest states, have taken very different approaches to managing their energy needs. But both are confronting the same frightening reality: They may be woefully unprepared for natural disasters driven by climate change. (NYT)
* 'A Katrina-Scale Crisis': Austin Is Desperate For Help In Weather Disaster (NPR)
* Release of intelligence report on Khashoggi killing could push U.S.-Saudi relations to new lows (WashPo)
*
White House working with Facebook and Twitter to tackle anti-vaxxers
(Reuters)
* Biden Administration Formally Offers to Restart Nuclear Talks With Iran (NYT)
* Joe Biden used his first big presidential moment on the global stage at Friday’s Group of Seven meeting of world leaders to announce that the U.S. will soon begin releasing $4 billion for an international effort to bolster the purchase and distribution of coronavirus vaccine to poor nations. [AP]
* A mass-casualty event every day: Inside the dark winter of covid-19 (WashPo)
* Covid-19 Was Spreading in China Before First Confirmed Cases, Evidence Suggests (WSJ)
* A U.C. Santa Cruz epidemiologist says that he analyzed vaccine trial data and it suggests that not only do vaccines prevent recipients from getting sick, they also combat the virus’s spread. [Lookout Santa Cruz]
* An education program is immersing underprivileged students in Ivy League classes, and the students’ success has raised questions about how elite university gatekeepers determine college prospects. (NYT)
* Sen. Sanders finds himself in a position of power after decades as an outsider (WashPo)
* Six Capitol Police officers have been suspended with pay and 29 others are under investigation for their roles in the Capitol riot. “Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman has directed that any member of her department whose behavior is not in keeping with the Department’s Rules of Conduct will face appropriate discipline,” a spokesperson said. [HuffPost]
* The United States is back in the Paris climate accord, just 107 days after it left. While Friday’s return is heavily symbolic, world leaders say they expect America to prove its seriousness after four years of being pretty much absent. They are especially anticipating an announcement from the U.S. in coming months on its goal for cutting emissions of heat-trapping gases by 2030. [AP]
* Moscow goes green: Russian capital eyes fully electric bus fleet by 2030 (Reuters)
* "Oakland looks like a trash can and it's a shame that I have to say that I'm an Oaklander and have people visit me and see what we have going on around here, like, 'Wow, really? You guys are living like this?' It's a dump!" -- a concerned neighbor. (KTVU)
* On a jagged island in the Canary archipelago, a whistling language known as “Silbo Gomero” is still in use thanks to mandatory classes for schoolchildren. (NYT)
* Undeterred by Facebook news blackout, Australia commits to content law (Reuters)
* Facebook’s attempt to crush regulations in Australia may backfire (WashPo)
* Lawmakers in U.K., Canada Slam Facebook After Australia News Blackout (WSJ)
* Facebook and Google could lose bargaining power under upcoming U.S. bill to help news outlets (Reuters)
* The number of anti-abortion bills making their way through state legislatures has exceeded 200 as GOP lawmakers, emboldened by a conservative U.S. Supreme Court, attempt to enact extreme laws limiting women’s reproductive health. Of the pieces of anti-abortion legislation pending, about half seek to put harsh limits on the procedure across 30 states. [HuffPost]
* Perseverance’s arrival extends the successful U.S. landing record on the planet, and brings sophisticated tools to the hunt for alien life. (NYT)
* Ohio State and Michigan's First Top-5 Matchup Ever? In Basketball, Yes (WSJ)
* Ferret becomes first North American endangered species to be cloned (BBC)
* FBI Uncovers Al-Qaeda Plot To Just Sit Back And Enjoy Collapse Of United States (The Onion)
***
I'll pass Ventura Santa Barbara too, Just as fast as my motor runs
Gotta pocket full of memories, some are happy and some are sad
Gotta girl standing by my side, through the good times and the bad
I believe in love now, with all of its joys and pains
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