What happens when we can only access art online?

Here are a few of our favorite resources that have been challenging norms, equalizing access to art and keeping us connected to the arts community as we self-isolate

During this unprecedented time, we’ve been encouraged and moved by the uptake in virtual art sharing and interacting. We’re reminded that, historically, viewing art is not something that all people can do. Often it comes with societal baseline, geographical, economical, and ability requirements rendering it exclusive. By taking art out of museums and bringing it onto our digital devices, we’re asking, “Can we challenge these inequitable structures while also leaning on global, age-old practices to bring us perspective and joy?”

Pace Gallery - Online Viewing Rooms, Art Matters Series [informative, mobile friendly, useful post-quarantine]

• Online Viewing Rooms: Pace’s online viewing rooms take viewers through selected works in current exhibitions like A Swiftly Tilting Planet, and Kenneth Noland's Flares.

• Art Matters Series: Pace also hosts its new online series, Art Matters, on Instagram Live. We now all have access to one-on-one conversations between artists and leading thinkers of today, so make sure to follow the gallery for upcoming dates.

UbuWeb [avant-garde, insightful, sound & video]

• Use this web-based repository to learn more about the evolution and practice of some big names with access to works that would be otherwise forgotten. Our suggestion -- start with UbuWeb’s Top 10 Lists and see where your heart takes you.

• Some highlights: Salvador Dali’s films; Stan Douglas video installations; 4 Performances by Marina Abramovic; Richard Serra’s first film; Cindy Sherman’s precursory student film; and Lorna Simpson’s 2003 video installation, “Corridor”.

Google Art Project - Street Art [for those with wanderlust]

• The Google Cultural Institute collaborates with local art organizations across the globe to provide access to international street art through online audio tours and exhibitions. Search the world collection by artist or location, or surprise yourself and let Street Art choose for you.

Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms [meditative, internationally renowned] These days, the illusion of infinite space is a welcome respite from the confines of our homes. If that sounds appealing, you have a couple options for teleporting yourself to the world of Kusama.

• NPR takes us through 6 of her Infinity Mirror Rooms which were exhibited at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum in 2017 on their YouTube channel.

• If you’d prefer a soundtrack, The Broad Museum’s Infinite Drone series pairs Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room -The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away with musical selections by Los Angeles sound artists and musicians.

Art21 [learn first hand from artists]

• Art21, the non-profit organization that produces PBS’s Art in the 21st Century, uses digital media to provide the public unparalleled access to artists. On their website you can enjoy films, their extensive library and every episode of their award winning show.

• Some highlights: Art21 Live, a streaming channel that provides 24/7 access to programming on contemporary art; Art21 Artists Index provides a comprehensive list of today’s most influential artists and accompanying educational film; Art21’s Winter Programming Season - This season’s final film by Bryan Zanisnik will premiere on Wednesday April 8th.

Hauser & Wirth - Viewing Rooms, Print Interviews, Studio Visits [gallery expands their presence online]

• Helping to set the precedent for online viewing, Hauser & Wirth’s website shares viewing rooms of shows such as Rashid Johnson’s recent exhibit, studio visits with artists including Amy Sherald, and completely virtual exhibits like Louise Bourgeois’ drawings from 1947 – 2007.

Art Basel YouTube [premiere art fair gone virtual]

• Art Basel is one of the world’s premiere art fairs, and like many other institutions during this uncertain time, they’ve gone virtual. To access you can either register and log onto their private viewing rooms, which includes the ability to “favorite” artworks, galleries and artists, or peruse freely via their YouTube channel.

• Some highlights: Christina Li, Hong Kong and Amsterdam based curator and writer, shares her top picks; Meet the Artist: Mickalene Thomas, where she touches on her Jet Magazine inspiration.

Google Arts & Culture [explore collections up close from around the world]

• Google Arts & Cultures strives to make art more accessible by partnering with institutions globally to share unobstructed, high quality images of their pieces, which can be found via their website or app.

• Some highlights: zoom closely into Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry: South Wall; learn more about the Fluxus movement.

Slought archives [thoughtful conversations merging art, community, politics, and more]

• Featuring 600+ hours of recordings, Slought’s archive is a resource for producing and sharing knowledge.

• Highlight: a conversation with the late filmmaker, Agnès Varda, about cinécriture and film as a political and feminist statement.

Brooklyn Museum virtual First Saturday [dynamic and celebratory museum public programming at home]

• The Brooklyn Museum has been hosting First Saturdays —monthly evenings of free programming— for 21 years. On April 4, starting at 5pm, will be their first time taking the celebration online. Check the website closer to time for the full lineup and instructions, and come ready for art-making, performance, music, and virtually gathering “to share the connective power of art and the vibrant creative community of Brooklyn.”

We'll continue to share the virtual art exhibitions and events we find helpful over the next few weeks on our instagram, @__crate. If you come across any interesting resources, please email us at hello@cratecollective.art