April 18 2020

April 18, 2020 

Spring is really here and mother nature gives zero f***s about what COVID-19 is doing to humans. Since we went into isolation, the air and water have been cleaner than they have been in decades. Spring reminds us of the earth’s ability to regenerate — it is a time of rebirth and reinvention. What will the world look like when this is over? What can we do better once the quarantine lifts? SPRING FORWARD is an exhibition that asks us to look towards a future full of possibilities. I would like to thank guest curator Ruben Natal-San Miguel for inviting Arcade Project to be part of his multi-gallery exhibition. There is an open call for artists to participate, and the deadline for entries is Friday, April 29. 

Those of us who have been fortunate enough to avoid contagion are developing another malady: cabin fever. Our new series of pandemic-themed photo stories, Cabin Fever, will take a look at how the art world is using creativity as a coping mechanism. I would like to thank Tarrah von Lintel for going first. Look for upcoming contributions from Brian Andrew Whiteley, Ventiko, Eva Mueller and Bob Clyatt.  

I spent some time on Lisa Levy’s virtual couch for Dr. Lisa Gives a Shit on Radio Free Brooklyn. In our latest articles, Rhea Nayyar shares her favorite online viewing rooms and Roman Kalinovski watches messy people crack under apocalyptic pressure in the classic anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. 

The first entries in our new series of Zoom-based artist interviews are currently being edited and will be out soon. It’s hard to say how long it will take: time has flattened since isolation began and, like a black hole reducing space to an infinitely-dense point, we somehow have all the time in the world and nowhere near enough all at once. In the meantime, wear a mask, wash your hands, and stay the f*** home no matter how nice it is outside. 

M. Charlene Stevens  

Editor-In-Chief 

Arcade Project