MANILA, PHILIPPINES – It has been months since the accelerated rise of the new virus called COVID-19 was officially called a pandemic, and since then the whole world has been forced to stay indoors and follow the strict lockdown rules and social distancing to avoid catching it and spreading it around. This has caused a lot of stress and panic to many, and some still fail to recognize the repercussions of this virus even to a healthy person.
The long haul of being quarantined indoors has brought out the creativity in everyone. People have been singing on their balconies, bringing out dust-collected recipe books, and some even started the journey to transform their bodies. For others, it has become a huge factor in creating design initiatives. As a result, Art of Quarantine was launched in association with Ministry of Culture and Informational Security of Ukraine.
Looma, a Ukrainian creative production agency came up with the idea of Art of Quarantine for a social campaign on avoiding, and eventually stopping the rapid increase COVID-19 cases. They dressed up classic paintings with masks and sanitizers as a guide on the basic rules and awareness of personal safety during this pandemic.
1. Jacques-Louis David’s Napoleon Crossing the Alps wears a mask and a delivery bag on his back because he supports the use of delivery services instead of having to go to buy outdoors. Just imagine receiving your food from him.
2. Jesus practices social distancing in this version of The Last Supper by Leonardo Da Vinci. Of course, he doesn’t want his disciples to get affected, right?
3. Here we can see that apples aren’t the only things that can cover mouths and noses. Rene Magritte’s The Son of Man wears a face mask instead of his usual because let’s be honest, a green apple won’t do anything. Though, the mask seems to be too big for him.
4. Leonardo Da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine is now Lady Hoarding Bags of Pasta. Kidding. Buying pasta in bulk, or any food staple for the record, will actually keep people from frequently going outside to get groceries and be exposed to the virus. Also, where did the ermine go?
5. Keep hands clean and germ-free by washing them regularly or using hand sanitizers when washing is not possible. Not only that but sanitize personal items like cellphones as well. You don’t want to keep cleaning your hands then having to hold germ-filled items, right? Push others too, as seen here in Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam.
6. This is probably what’s said the most, but please do practice social distancing. If people still want to hug you at this time because they miss you, be like Orpheus in this version of Orpheus and Eurydice by Frederic Leighton and push them away!
7. Cash is dirty, quite literally. Studies have shown that germs, bacteria, and viruses (and even fecal matter, yikes) cling to the material. And because it’s important not to spread germs during this pandemic, it’s advised to use cards to purchase instead of paper money or coins. Like in this version of Mrs. Wordell as Hebe by Benjamin West.
8. This version of Giovani Battista Salvi’s Praying Madonna is praying for you to wear disposable gloves to avoid getting in contact with infected surfaces. Especially when washing hands isn’t possible. (Although please wash your hands.)
9. As if it’s not said enough, wash your hands as frequent as possible. No one knows which surfaces or objects touched are potentially infected. Raphael’s Portrait of a Young Man tells you how. Make sure they’re squeaky clean.
The complete uncertainty the world is facing had shaken it to its core. To find solace in this unfortunate situation, everyone is finding time to return to their once-loved hobby, like reading, painting, or writing. However, safety is still priority. Art of Quarantine is one of many social campaigns teaching personal safety and depicting creativity during this crisis. All with the aim to #FlattenTheCurve.
