Losing and Finding Yourself in Art — in Bed

As nations close establishments and borders in an attempt to control COVID-19, the effects of the virus can be felt everywhere. And yet, innovation abounds; in order to continue providing art to the public, many museums have begun to offer virtual tours of their collections. Currently, on Google’s Arts and Culture page, 2,500 galleries and museums offer access to their online collections. Participating museums include: the Tate Modern and British Museum in London; the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam; and the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum in New York City. 

Some museums are curating new shows; the Guggenheim Museum in New York offers free tours of online exhibits such as, “But a Storm Is Blowing From Paradise: Contemporary Art of the Middle East and North Africa” and “The Little Known Glass Works of Josef Albers.” Both cost-effective and accessible, this approach allows us to stay in touch with the art world and to peruse art at our own speed. For many, visiting a museum in normal times is not often feasible; perhaps this new mode will democratize the arts by providing exposure to those less likely to have the opportunity.

During this difficult time, I can keep my passion ignited by browsing through museum collections at my leisure. Arts and culture are vital parts of society and, thus, it is important to continually provide these resources, regardless of form. Passion for the arts does not evaporate because the world is in crisis. As theologian Thomas Merton writes: “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” So why not lose yourself at the New Museum? I’ll join you — right after I find myself at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.