CHARO OQUET
1. How are you dealing with the Covid-19 quarantine?
When the pandemic started, it was difficult to get motivated to work. I had to keep working in my office at home, writing grant proposals for the organization I founded, but I had little motivation. As this is grant writing season and I am the one that writes the grants for the organization, I had no choice but to work. I was working on deadlines which do not stop for anything. The good thing is that the deadlines pushed me to work daily regardless of whether I felt motivated or not.
I also started the day with a 30 min. daily exercise routine, via YouTube. As I wasn’t going to the studio when the lockdown started, my afternoon routine was to cycle or walk for at least an hour through the streets or near the ocean on my own or with my daughter. She would be on her skateboard and I on my bicycle. The first month or so I was not seeing anyone, my kids would not even come into my house for fear of giving me the virus since I'm over 65 and they had been either travelling or around other people. I'm being very careful but I do go shopping for essentials wearing a mask. Now my children have taken the test for the virus – they have tested negative and come out of quarantine, so they can come to my apartment and we are keeping our distance, but we do see each other and eat together weekly. I have started to work in my studio again. I don’t always have space in the studio to do ceramic work, but now there’s more space in the studio so I am taking the opportunity to do some ceramic pieces which I need for a large-scale installation, even though I don’t know if it will happen. At the moment it is postponed but I am assuming that when things open up again and we can travel, it will happen and I will be ready.
2. How did you prepare? What did you make sure you did not? Food, protective materials, etc.?
I was in New York from March 3-9, to attended the New York Armory and all of the other Art Fairs. I rode subways and buses but usually on off-peak hours. People were practicing social distancing but few were wearing masks. I was very exposed to the virus but did not get it. I even went to see a cousin at a nursing home for disabled people the day before I returned to Miami and a week later, they told me she had come down with the virus. When we went to visit on the 8th, they did not want us come in to see her, after much begging they allowed the visit but they made us put on masks and wipe our hands. We sat very close to each other and I was not wearing a N95 mask, just a regular one. As soon as I arrived in Miami, my friends alerted me that a lot of cleaning and food items were running out. Therefore, I went on a hunt and bought food, cleaning and hygiene supplies. I found most of the things I needed. Sometimes it was necessary to search for items that were already becoming scarce. However, I only bought what I needed and in some cases I was able to buy things like a box of gloves which I shared with others, like the mail lady, and let her know where more could be bought.
3. How did you feel the world was heading before this humanitarian crisis?
I think for a long time, we have all been aware that the world needs to reevaluate its course, that something is deeply wrong if we continue on this trajectory. There are many things such as an over-production of unnecessary items that are hurting the planet, and social inequities. The list is long. Humanity has to think and re-assess its values, because we give more value to money, no matter what we have to do to get it or what damages it does to the land, our neighbors or the planet. But we all have to assume our responsibility and the role we individually play in this damage. In the excess of purchases of unnecessary items, in the way that we dispose of our garbage, in the use of toxic materials for the land, in the people we choose to govern us, in the way that we close our eyes on the economic imbalance between the social classes and in the fact that not all of us see ourselves as one humanity. I have lived in socialist countries like New Zealand and it is nice to live in that system; where you can leave your doors unlocked because everyone has a decent life, they don’t have to go around harming others to survive. You don't have to walk around with that fear of being mugged because people aren't doing it. When you live in a country where, everyone has health insurance, the right to earn a decent living wage and where there is a social net if you need it, it is very different world. Everyone is happier and safer. Not that I am saying that I am not glad I am in the USA at this moment in time. I think we have been blessed to a certain degree because even though it is not perfect there are some safety nets in place and we are all eating. I can say I’ve been lucky in that sense because in Miami and in the country at large there has been a lot of assistance to small businesses and to artists such as me. It could be way worst. Miami values the contributions of art to the city. There is an awareness of this here which has helped artist to get assistance. I don’t think many developing countries have this. I am thankful.
4. Do you think there will be a change in human behavior from this experience?
I don't know. There are too many people who have a lot of greed and that's a disease that has been allowed to run unchecked and been rewarded for too long. Such behavior is the norm in the world today. I don't know if this is going to stop them or if they're going to have to live through something much worse in order to change. We all have to become aware and change our daily behavior. It's not just the other that is required to change, this change must start with you. If you don't change, how can you expect others to do so? We must be the change we want in the world and the example we wish others to follow and we must not just say it, we must live it, do it and prove it. If we all did that, the world would be different. Change begins at home, in your surroundings, with your family, in the principles you teach your children, how you see the world and act within it. We all have to change. However, change is hard. People don’t usually want to change unless they are forced to. We are seeing it now, with those who do not want to obey social distancing laws and wear a mask. They rather think what is most convenient to them until they get sick, but unfortunately, we will all have to pay for their stupidity. The law of the least effort always prevails.
5. 5. Do you think there must be a change in the world in the system of protection and administration of peoples, after this experience?
I was in Europe in September after an absence 6 years, and went to the Venice Biennial, the works exhibited at the Venice Biennale were scary. The message was that something catastrophic was coming soon. That the world is on a wrong path and that there has to be change.
The artist is always the most sensitive being. It's our real job to see the world and to comment on it, to communicate to our neighbor what we see and feel because we give ourselves the luxury or the task of always looking and seeing the truth, feeling out how things are around us. The true artist, is a Shaman, the one who is really feeling everything; the spiritual part, as well as the material and physical part of the world around us. We’re always attentive to changes. We're the thermometer. We are the canary in the coal mine. That's why many times, movies and books foretell events to come. That's how this Biennial was for me - a real alert to what was coming.
I have dedicated myself to raising the spirit and promoting radical hope, because I think that's a way of not falling into the darkest part of our reality. I do not advocate losing all hope, but I do believe that we must become aware. In all this you have to laugh a lot, look for a way to listen to music that takes you to good times and gives you joy in these moments that you are discouraged. You can't get depressed. I think we should all be observing the world and listening first before we can comment on, or make judgements as to what will be the next step. I think we have to think first, you have to know what's really there. It's a time to internalize what you see and analyze it, to hear what others have to say, to look to history for some answers and examples of past actions, so that you can make clear and informed decisions. I don't do hobby art, and I don't blame those who do art as a hobby. For me, art is a very serious thing and I don't take it lightly. I have to hope that the body and mind are ready to give answers and communicate to others what there is, what I see and what I propose. Of course, there are things that can be done are this time. Things that are less difficult. When I was disabled by the a broken leg, I produced and published three small books from my house on my computer. Nevertheless, I’ve learned to take baby steps and start to working, and soon the motion keeps you going and soon you are less worried and as our hands are moving our mind is relaxing and you begin to have hope and to look at the future with more excitement. We must think of the future and create visions of good things to come. For me, creating art gives me joy and hope. It is like creating children - it is a belief in the future. For, if you did not believe in a good future you would not want to bring children into it as they are the future. It seems to me that writing or making a daily video would be interesting, as a testament to what we live; you can do something interesting with that material later. Everyone will know what they can do and find the moment to start. I started to do the work for the organization which need to be done, now I can concentrate on my art making. Most artists have to work to support their art practice one way or another, and then make spaces to dedicate themselves to art, which is not always the one that supports our daily living expenses. Knowing how to divide your time, to allow yourself to have that precious time to create is an important tool for an artist as well as having the discipline to work.
7. In your opinion, what is a creator called to do in this time that we are living?
Well, I have to confess that in the beginning of the lockdown I, personally, found it very difficult to be very creative. I don't know if it's because we're waiting for an invisible enemy, that you don't know where you're going to go or what follows, or if you will be able to save yourself from this. Nor can we predict what the country's economy will look like and in what state the world is going to find itself after a catastrophe like the one we are facing, which has no precedent. For my part, I am just pushing myself to go to my studio where I can work right now, given that the space is available. In January 2018, I found myself in a wheel -hair and immobile, due to an accident where I fell off a 10 ft. ladder and had to be lying down or in a wheelchair. Back then, I decided to publish 3 small books that I made with my computer, one of them with long-distance help. I also created 20 digital drawings and several small black and white books. I think everyone does what they can do, depending on their means and their environment. That is, if you don't have a studio or materials, work with the computer digitally. Take photos with your phone if you don't have a good camera. Create a photo journal that you can then use, whether it's video or photos. During Hurricane Irma, I had taken refuge to wait for the hurricane, with a friend in the gallery where my studio is also located. While we prepared and waited for the hurricane and days after it had passed, we remained there because neither one of us had electricity at home but we had electricity in the gallery and equipment. We started creating and made several very interesting videos and photos. One of those was the basis of a video I later edited and titled "Despojo" (Cleansing). We did series of photographs and the images we took were also really powerful. My good luck was that the friend I hunker down with, Javier de Pisón, is a very good photographer, very generous and wanted to collaborate with me. For us it was a way to pass the time that resulted in important works.
I also recommend working on paper, painting, drawing with pen, pencil, or make small-scale drawings. These can serve as studies for large formats after this crisis passes.
Another possibility is to search the internet for artists that have some connection with your work or your subject, who can nourish and excite you or that have a different take on what you are proposing, which might result in exciting you and getting you back to work. This can result in you creating a dialogue with his/her work that results in something else. Right now, there are many offers: you can visit most museums virtually free of charge. Take advantage!
As a last thing, you can clean your house or your studio, do exercises. The worst thing you can do is do nothing, thinking too much about what we don't know yet. Action is the best option.
Recommended:
1. Works of literature, theater, dance, music or visual arts, that we can access them on virtual platforms.
Look for things that fill you with happiness right now. Spread love, tell your loved ones that you love them, help as many as you can right now, as much as you can - whether it's making masks, sharing your food, forgiving those who have done bad things to you. There is much to read and much to see on TV or the internet, but you have to seek happiness and inner peace, not fear or depression. Exercising and dancing and singing is essential now. Cook if you like to cook, it is a great thing as well, or take time to organize your space if you are more of a cleaner or organizer than a cook. Right now, I am reading lots of great magazines both online and hard copies. I love the New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Harper’s Magazine, newspapers and of course social media (which at the beginning of the pandemic was blowing up with theories and information on the virus, not all true).
1. An analyst, thinker or spiritual leader.
The one you like the most. Because we all have different tastes. There are so many people right now with theories and conspiracy theories and debunking theories, that it keeps you rather busy. I am glad it has slowed down. e-flux Journal May 21 issue has some interesting suggestions. You can subscribe for free. They have created a thematic collections of essays from across the entire history of e-flux journal grouped around topics and themes relevant to this unusual moment.
8. ¿What to do to contribute from a distance?
Call your friends and make a phone visit. I still have not made up my mind what the next step is for our organization in relationship to our programming. We are doing some brain storming and considering different options. However, I am hopeful that we will be able to do things live soon - under new conditions of course, and social distancing.
9. Do you plan to do something, to help with your tools contribute from a distance?
I made a call-out to artists for a video/performance festival, which would have been a lot of work. Nevertheless, we did not receive a lot of really worthy work and we have decided to put it on hold. I get pretty bored myself with some of these internet virtual parties. I don’t attend them. I really can’t be bothered. Maybe it’s just me.
Charo Oquet
1952
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Multidisciplinary Visual artist
Photographs:
1. Photo Javier de Pisón – Dimension Rosa, Entering Sacred Grounds, Dimensions Variable Gallery, Miami, FL 2020
2.”Written on Skin”– Multi-media Installation- Project Row Houses, Round 49, Penumbras - Sacred Geometry, Huston, Texas; 2019
3. Ecu-Yamba-O, Student Workshop for Fashion Project, Miami FL 2019 , Photo: Nathan Campos,
4. Red Roses, Glazed ceramic 2018.
5. Ecu-Yamba-O, Student Workshop for Fashion Project, Miami FL 2019
6. Seated Woman, Acrylic Painting on Canvas, 60" x 48', 2010
7. Entering Sacred Ground, Multi-Diciplinary Installation, Dimensions Variable, Miami, FL 2020
8. Machete, photo, Javier de Pison 2017
9. Locus Project 1998 , installation that was part of an exhibition of 4 games. Time flies.
10. The Two Queens, Acrylic on Canvas, Miami, FL 1997
13. Performance Am Blood, I Am Water, Independence.do festival-." Puerto Plata, D.R. 2015, Photo: Nancy Vizcayno ,
14. Arrayanos, Performance, Exhibition, Edge Zones, Miami, FL 2017
15. Enramada, Performance, Edge Zones, Miami, 2014
16. Foto: Gregorio Alvarez, Miami Beach Rara, Performance procesional, Miami Beach, FL 2019
#DiálogosdesdeelEncierro
20. Desde el Encierro, Iris Pérez Romero.
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