So Tuesday 20 October 2020 was the first day of the Spaced Out Artist Residency and we explored the idea of using the digital world as a creative space and as a tool for creating space. With the travel restrictions imposed on us by the infamous Corona virus we have had to consider new ways of creating and interacting with our business and social associates. In the context of the visual artists-in-residence we can consider the dynamics of not having access to the public spaces, galleries, studios, markets or other social interactions that keep us productive. The 'new normal' requires us to imagine how we are going to shift our focus and channel our business and social activity to the digital space. Riding on #soar2020's theme- Art Creates Space/Space Creates Art- we explored the ways in which our creative work can continue to meet its market via the digital world and how the digital world can be used as a tool to be implemented in our new unusual creative spaces. By way of an insightful Zoom meeting entitled Digital & Space Webinar, hosted by Branding Akosua founder Ms Louisa April, our Artists-in-residence were treated to a enlightening tour of the creative avenues of the digital space. From eleven o'clock in the morning the residents spaced out into the different worlds on the internet that the host was very familiar with as she generously guided the artists at each of the various stations. The interactive session that was attended by Mwamba Chikwemba, Prince Moyo and beat maker Nandele unpacked the reality of African attitudes towards the concept of trading on a virtual platform and the need for the artists to not only look for business exchange via the internet but to take on the role of insuring their customers that it is safe space to buy art. Since they are creatively inclined, perhaps the artists can use the virtual space as a canvas to encourage online transactions as they are going to be necessary in the new normal.
