Just few months ago, this idea was mostly used by artists for fun and entertainment. But now, it has become an inevitable approach during this Covid-19 pandemic which may be termed as a force majeure event. As health, safety, and lives are at stake, it vigorously imposes an economic crisis for many communities, including the art fraternity. Like many other business sectors, the performing arts sector got disrupted to a great extent by the worldwide outbreak of Corona Virus. Artists’ livelihood depend on different live performances, gigs, tours, workshops, and tutoring. As the lockdown has stretched over a couple of months (and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future), and with the continuing need for physical distancing, the world of performing arts has been struggling, scrambling, and groping in the amorphous situation of a quickly spreading pandemic.
“Necessity is the mother of invention” – as this virus wreaks havoc on millions of artist’s lives, spawning ripples of anxiety for survival, people have embraced digital platforms quickly; they gravitated towards online engagements, live shows, talk shows, workshops, and online teaching. This became a pragmatic and intriguing solution to most artists amidst this dreary condition. Online platforms and social media have started playing major roles for performers who were in total despair after mass cancellations of performances, workshops, and tours. This online platform definitely enlivens the spirits of millions of artists, fans, and art students. Wiping out geographical boundaries, fans have started to enjoy online shows of their favorite artists in various fields, students have started regular online art classes with their teachers. Information is gleaned from various online talk shows, workshops, and webinars – it’s a more lasting and stable way to share, communicate and connect, instead of meandering through the array of musings in solitude. We all got some great materials that we would not have otherwise gotten.
We need to come up with advancements to the wide spreading internet technology, with high-quality online streaming, improved sound system, and decorated with appealing lighting systems. It is imperative that we all stand together to make all these shows as ticketed events in support of those artists who depend on their art for a living. We must refrain from thinking that online shows are catchall designations or have amateurish content, and these performances should not be considered as ubiquitous to the point where it will be a vestige of dignity. The success of a live performance depends on the audience’s reaction, to which online shows are no exception. We must make all sorts of arrangements to provide an engaging rendezvous for artists and viewers, where artists will be able to present their art forms with full comfort, and viewers will get the pleasure of watching performers in an online event. Sponsorship and advertisements can be a good monetary support for organizing these online events and may help to keep the ticket cost affordable.
Art forms faced a major setback during the Spanish Flu outbreak in 1918, but the comebacks were much stronger than the setbacks. Goes without saying that the same holds for us. It is really encouraging to see that in New York City (amongst other places), there are many venues that have started hosting ticketed online events with a virtual audience, where artists are performing on the stage or in studios, as to not be restricted to the limited infrastructure of home. It is important for the audience to adopt new ways of enjoying music and performances. With a proper setup, we all can build an excellent medium to spread our Art forms globally, where young and budding artists remain connected, always keeping their spirits up. Already established artists will guide the industry, and we will prove again that the adversity always brings out positivity, innovation and creativity. Nothing can stop art to flourish, as it will always find a way to survive
