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Art can help make sense of the world in difficult or uncertain times. It can bring solidarity and hope. But artists need space to create. In 2020, the studios at Edinburgh College of Art and many other schools were forced to close their doors during a pandemic.
If you're tired of your view, can you paint a new one? (2020) by Maria Cecilie Wrang-RasmussenThe University of Edinburgh
Like millions of others, young, studying artists were forced into isolation, and needed to find new ways for exploration and innovation to shine through.
For budding artists from several schools around Europe, this took the form of the Room With a View project, celebrating creativity in a crisis.
Amira Gad © Sophie Green
"Room with a View is a Google Arts & Culture initiative that invited students from four top fine arts institutions (Accademia di Belle Arti Bologna, Italy; École Camondo, France; Central Saint Martins, UK; Fashion School and University of Edinburgh) in three different countries to create a piece of art from or of their window" explains guest curator, Amira Gad.
"As the world slowly went into lockdown and the realities of a global pandemic sunk in, this initiative highlighted the similarities and proximities that exist in a new world order of social distancing. The window is both a barrier to and an iconic connection to the outside world."
When something happens outside the window (2020) by Hu YunwenAccademia di Belle Arti di Bologna
"We have seen windows become a space for gatherings..."
Yellow (2020) by Gaia VenturelliAccademia di Belle Arti di Bologna
"...for singing..."
Not Enough Hands (2020) by Rachel HutchisonThe University of Edinburgh
"...and celebrating essential workers."
Room with a view (2020) by Veronica PellinghelliAccademia di Belle Arti di Bologna
"Room with a View is a testament to creativity born out of adversity, calling out for inspiration and imagination during confinement."
"We continue onto this journey to discover the views offered through 157 submissions by 132 artists in 11 countries and studying at 4 different institutions."
No Place Like Home by Esme PlumbLondon College of Fashion
