art for the world's sake

How can the arts be a saving grace during the pandemic?

- DANIELA ESPELIMBERGO

“Art should comfort the disturbed, and disturb the comfortable,” is a famous quote by Mexican poet and activist Cesar A. Cruz that holds great weight in the current world we inhabit. It can be hard to find reprieve from all the chaos we’re surrounded in. Even just for a while, the arts have always been a place where one can be freed from the trappings of daily life, especially now where the year is marked with unforeseen circumstances. With each month that goes by, it seems that nothing is going right for this year; but none have been as devastating and life-altering than the coronavirus.

For months, we’ve been under orders to follow quarantine protocols that resigned ourselves to our homes and put a halt to our plans. Our economy is greatly affected by the pandemic, as well with many businesses closing down and countless cases of unemployment. Even during a time of a great global crisis, we cannot but bear witness to many social problems still taking center stage in our society. All of these combined makes for a time marred with fears, anxieties, and uncertainties. This has fostered a restless environment where the frustration that the people face under quarantine, is evidently seen through their social media posts. Getting through these historical times have been nothing short of challenging. Although the arts and entertainment industry has been greatly affected, its importance in our lives is now more apparent.