Link 1: "Put on your own mask first"​ submitted by Bill Folman

 

Link 1: "Put on your own mask first"​ submitted by Bill Folman

 

Link 2: You can make a difference, multimedia collage, submitted by Anne Hitch

 

Link 2: You can make a difference, multimedia collage, submitted by Anne Hitch

​Artist Reflection:  The statement inspired me to create this multimedia collage because I believe that as individuals we need to respond to this pandemic crisis in responsible ways. One way we can show care and concern for the health and well being of others is by wearing a mask. Wearing a mask shows that we are all part of society and are committed to the greater good of others.

 

Link 3: A Celebration of the Mask Makers of 2020, embellished weaving on found wire, submitted by Rachel Freudenburg

 

Link 3: A Celebration of the Mask Makers of 2020, embellished weaving on found wire, submitted by Rachel Freudenburg

​Artist Reflection:  It was important to me to use the color scheme of link #2 as a way of showing that I see and appreciate this work of art, "You Can Make a Difference". During the pandemic, I started leading support groups for mental illness. The most important thing I do in these groups is let people know they've been seen and heard. The materials are also important to me. Elastic and fabric actually used to make masks are woven into the loops, ends, and spaces of a piece of twisted, discarded wire.

 

Link 4: The Hand of God, poem, submitted by Elizabeth Wolf

 

Link 4: The Hand of God, poem, submitted by Elizabeth Wolf

Artist Reflection: The shapes & arc in A Celebration of the Mask Makers of 2020 reminded me of the Michael Collins photo of the lunar rover with all of earth in the background. The loneliest man led me to the hand of God image, and a LinkedIn post about calling tech support. It feels like the shared truth we are all living: separated yet connected.

Notes: Earth rise photo from Wikipedia. Tech support call story adapted from a post to LinkedIn by Sarah Bezanson.

 
 

Link 5: Wishful Thinking, piano composition
submitted by Behzad Dayanim

Artist Reflection: This piece is inspired by some songs that I always found relatable and often comforting, especially during difficult times. Revolving around the theme of empathy and upon reviewing the poignant poem shared, I tried to provide a landscape that feels both familiar and remote, communal yet also solitary. I hope the music can help release some of the solemnity present in the previous work and offer a way to help cope with difficulty on our own and with others. [Artists quoted include Lennon/McCartney, Pink Floyd, and Charlie Chaplin.]

 

Link 6: “Compassion awakens the soul” submitted by Tricia F.

 

Link 6: “Compassion awakens the soul” submitted by Tricia F.

​Artist Reflection: Listening to this beautiful piece, I found myself feeling a sense of lightness, joy and hope. I kept thinking of the word kindness as I was listening to it, as there is something that feels so gentle and caring about these notes. You can feel compassion within them. I also thought of Spring and of life returning after what has been a very dark year for our world. This led to the thought of “Compassion awakening the soul,” as I felt my soul had been stirred by this music, bringing back hope, love and life.

Note: This chain was started with a submitted community response to the prompt: How have you cared for others or how others have cared for you during these challenging times? The artists did NOT see the reflections written by the previous artist, only the image of the work and the title. The reflections were revealed only when the chain was complete. The six links in the chain are intended to offer a creative way to connect and offset the six feet of physical distance we need to keep from each other in order to care for each other.

Feeling inspired? Create your own artistic response to this chain and share on instagram #translationsart.