Many of us are struggling with the recent changes to our lives: our regular routines have been thrown for a loop; we are isolated from our friends and family; and, we are inundated with negative news reports whenever we turn on the radio or television. Fortunately, many artists and cultural institutions have rallied to provide hope and inspiration. Over the past few weeks, I have been exploring online cultural content \u2014 whenever my bandwidth will allow. I thought I\u2019d share a few of my discoveries, for the next time you need to lift your spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
First off is a shout-out to Bergen\u2019s own Jamie Syer, who has been posting YouTube videos of Long Distance Piano Duets<\/a><\/em>. These performances are masterful, the pieces are varied, and each episode is an individual artistic presentation, with an informative description. The performances are so captivating, one is unaware of the complex technological logistics required in order for the two pianists to respond to one another in playing a duet. Episode 8 deserves special mention, since it must have been double the work, but it is double the fun to watch. So far, my favourite episode is Claude Debussy\u2019s \u201cEn Bateau,\u201d simply because the peaceful music transports me to the boat on the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you prefer theatre to concerts, the United Kingdom\u2019s National Theatre has been broadcasting a different play (previously filmed) each week as National Theatre at Home<\/a><\/em>. These plays cover a broad range of genres. I watched a comedy set in the 1960s, as well as the classic Treasure Island<\/em>. A number of Shakespearian plays have also been offered. Supporting videos that take you behind-the-scenes at the theatre are also available on the National Theatre website, if you want a more in-depth experience. Only one play is shown per week, so you will need to keep checking back to find one that appeals to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the events that have been postponed until healthier times are museum exhibits. An excellent YouTube series is The Stay at Home Museum<\/a><\/em>. This set of private tours to five museums in Flanders, Belgium allows you to experience art exhibits of the Flemish Masters, such as van Eyck and Rubens. The beauty of these productions is that the guides are passionate curators who explain the background and significance of the various works. The website also has short articles about the artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I spent today exploring London\u2019s British Museum and discovered a series that has been produced for the past several years, called Curator\u2019s Corner<\/a>, <\/em>wherein the \u201ccurators \u2026 tell you all about themselves, their research and what it’s like to work with some of the world’s oldest and most significant objects.\u201d Five seasons of short videos expose you to a vast array of different areas of study. All the curators are excited about what they do, yet each approaches their work in a different way. Some talk about their personal history, while others tell the story of a specific artifact. With over 50 videos available, you are sure to find something of interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n