In the spring of 2020, when COVID-19 began to spread in various countries, people seemed to understand the meaning of globalization better. Its impact had not only blocked trade and stagnated tourism but also created many uncertainties in the art world.

However, art galleries have proven dynamic in their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the past, they relied on offline spaces, galleries and other cultural venues. But when the venues and spaces closed during the lockdown, they transitioned online. Many art galleries and museums invited art enthusiasts to visit online. The move not only contributed to the digitalization of cultural and art venues but also accumulated popularity and increased people's desire to visit in person when the art spaces reopened.

Exhibitions related to the epidemic

Beijing's 798 Art Zone was once a paradise for art lovers, but due to the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control measures, many indoor galleries and spaces have been closed for more than a month. As the epidemic eases in China, some galleries in the 798 Art Zone are reopening in an orderly manner, and the opened exhibitions more or less show the journey of some artists after the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The 798 art district will be hosting its first gallery weekend since the COVID-19 outbreak at the end of May. It is understood that there will be a lot of works related to the epidemic on display over the weekend.

Times Art Museum Beijing launched a new exhibition during China's Golden Week Holiday in May entitled "Revive in Art," which saw 57 artists and 13 institutions uniting to bring hope to people through art during the period of recovery. The exhibition runs until late June.

The UCCA Center for Contemporary Art and the Hive Center for Contemporary Art have also organized different exhibitions based on the existing venue conditions and artists' works. UCCA launched a special exhibit called #emptyUCCA, which features an empty gallery except for a massive wall with #emptyUCCA written on it. The campaign aims to show visitors and art lovers that art has a necessary role to play regardless of what is happening at the time. Many visitors visit the gallery to take photos of the unique installation.

Art as a bridge for understanding the world

"At such a special moment, the exhibition explores the relationship between art and the present, and reflects on the interplay of that relationship," said Yuan Xin at Fudan University, who has a doctorate in philosophy.

He believes art is a bridge for us to understand the world, an act to create value, an action to find meaning and a way to understand life. 

"In the face of this epidemic, we can use art to soothe people's pain and sorrow and also arouse people's hope and spirit. We can use art to express people's anger and condemnation. We can also use art to reflect on our time and the world, and even to rediscover and reflect on the meaning and value of modern life," he said.

Yuan said the fundamental purpose of art is to realize the understanding and creation of its meaning and value by reproducing the concrete life of human beings. 

"If we can feel the power of life and the growth of life more in art, then art will realize its function," he said.

(Cover image from VCG)