In the wake of cancellations related to the pandemic, some performing artists are expanding their online presence. They’re engaging with a portion of their real life audiences, and making new ones along the way. Some have already established a routine around digital concerts, others moving their music lessons online, and some are performing as part of digital ensembles.
While I’d stop just shy of calling this the new normal, it is at least a temporary fix for artists coping with uncertainty by keeping a steady digital output. Some are dishing it out for free, others for profit, and some are lying low and taking care — kudos to all. The federal government’s recent update to the CERB fund brings a bit of good news for those seeking to maintain something of an income with digital gigs.
Even without the official designation, the work these artists do is essential, especially so at this moment.
“We all need beauty and love right now more than ever,” says Canadian cellist Arlen Hlusko. Based in New York but joining us from her quarantine spot in Ontario, the internationally celebrated cellist has increased her online presence with digital recitals and charity concerts. Her Instagram account (@celloarlen) is a busy place, and she’s kept up her teaching through Carnegie Hall’s resident ensemble. As she writes in the interview below, her current level of activity only came after, and as a response to, the pang of helplessness we all felt at the start of this.
How are you doing during this pandemic?
I’m doing okay, thank you! I have better days and worse days, but I do my best to focus on the positive in every day. I feel heartbroken and helpless for everyone suffering and losing loved ones in this time, and of course this is taking a significant toll on all of us economically, socially, etc, even if our loved ones are healthy, but I am counting my blessings to be at home, keeping busy, and spending cherished time with my family (which has been always-too-rare for me since I moved away from home at 14). This is the longest stretch I’ve gone without travelling and performing in several years, and the longest stretch I’ve been home in Canada in over a decade, and I’m enjoying it (so far ;)).
What are some of the ways you are keeping busy artistically?
When the quarantine first began, I spent a few days feeling helpless. I thought to myself, I should have gone into a different profession. I should be out there helping people more directly. That quickly turned into reflecting on the many reasons why I went into music, and why I believe that the arts are inherently meaningful, and necessary to our humanity — in a time of crisis more than ever.
I was playing a lot at the start of — not necessarily practising, but just playing for music’s sake. It was soothing me, comforting me; helping me figure out how to cope. My first idea from there was to start posting videos every day to Instagram, in an effort to feel like I was offering something, anything, positive to the world in this time. I’m still posting clips every day, and doing some livestream performances as well — I gave a full recital for an organization through Facebook Live last weekend, and had a lot of positive feedback about how the concert experience afforded people hope, joy, comfort, etc, so I’ve decided to launch a weekly live concert series on my own Facebook beginning this Saturday and ideally to continue every Saturday that we remain in quarantine. Could be a long time so I’d better compile some more solo cello repertoire…!
I’m also extremely fortunate to have work that’s still ongoing. In one of my ensembles, Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect, we are working hard together to figure out how to move as much of our work as possible online. We’ve started several video initiatives through our social media, and one part of our work is co-teaching in NYC Public Schools, so I’m grateful to be able to continue teaching & performing for my elementary school students through Zoom every week. They really inspire me and fill me with joy. I’m also working on remote collaborations with colleagues from Bang on a Can and Dolce Suono, and I’m extremely grateful to be able to create content for the community I work with at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, through Musical Connections at Carnegie Hall. They’ve made it possible for us to send in music, documents, and instructional videos to support our men through this incredibly isolating and difficult time.
Somehow, it still feels like there’s never enough time in the day! And I know it’s an incredible blessing to feel that way right now; I certainly don’t take it for granted.
Any books, films, or TV on the go?
I’m currently working my way through The Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli, Scarcity by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir, and The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. My parents and I are also working our way through The Wire — an episode per night — which I’ve been meaning to do for years and am grateful to finally have the time!
Any words of wisdom to get through this?
Lean on your community and your art. We all need beauty and love right now more than ever — don’t be afraid to ask for/take what you need, and give generously to others.
What do you think are some of the ways arts communities can better prepare for adjusting to a crisis such as this?
I think everyone is doing the best they can, all things considered! We are all eagerly and creatively learning/navigating the best ways to continue sharing our art and connecting with others through the internet, and I find it incredibly inspiring how generous so many individuals and organizations are being with their talents right now. I probably watch at least five livestreams a week, and find myself constantly marvelling at how amazing it is that I can experience such sincere and moving art in the comfort of my living room (and in my pajamas…). I am excited to see how artists and organizations will continue to evolve and create for the duration of this quarantine, and look forward to continuing to pursue beauty and connection through music in a virtual existence myself.
I also think there is an incredible amount of suffering and devastation in arts communities right now — individuals and organizations adjusting to a world without live performance as we know and love it, and suffering massive financial losses… but I am hopeful that this will help stimulate conversation surrounding how significant and crucial the arts are to all of us, and how we as a society can better support them and help them thrive. Everyone I know is leaning on music, literature, cinema — various forms of art, to help them cope and get through their days, so clearly these are fields worthy of our investments and support.
For more chats with artists in social isolation, read on HERE.
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