海外学声｜被迫彼此疏远，仍有一种更强大的凝聚力 Overseas Art Students Under the Pandemic

编者按/Editor’s Note：

随着新冠疫情在国际社会中蔓延的严峻形势，海外艺术类院校的学生们也在面对日益严重的焦虑：学校停课、毕业创作以及宿舍关闭等问题该如何解决？对于来自世界各地的国际学生来说，面对着世界各国的不同防疫政策，是留下还是回国？这对每一个学生来说都不是一个简单的选择，不论作何选择，他们都承受着极大的心理和社会压力。

With the grim situation of the COVID-19 pandemic spreading in the global community, students from overseas art schools are also facing increasing anxiety. How to solve the problems such as school suspension, graduation work as well as the dormitory closure? For international students from all over the world, when they confront various pandemic prevention policies in different countries, either staying where they are or going back to their own country, could be a tough decision for them. No matter what choice they make, they are under tremendous psychological and social pressure.

期间，艺讯网希望分享这个学生群体的真实声音，与更多读者分享海外艺术类院校学生在这个特殊时期的所思所感。他们所在国度的疫情发展，到底是什么状况？我们关注他们现在真实的状态，所有的疑问和境遇将由他们自己解答，所有我们与他（她）们想要共同传递的关切与鼓励，将呈现在这些话语中。

During this special period, CAFA ART INFO hopes to share real situations and opinions from this group of students. What is the status of the pandemic situation in the country they are staying? We pay attention to their current state. All questions are expected to be answered by them. All the concerns and encouragement we would like to share with them would be presented in these words. 

点击阅读：

艺讯网：能否简要介绍下自己的情况？

CAFA ART INFO: Can you briefly introduce your situation in studying abroad?

王思又：我来自北京，是一名在美国留学的大二学生，目前就读于纽约州阿尔弗雷德大学艺术与设计学院。

Siyou Wang: I am from Beijing, a sophomore year student studying in the United States. Now I’m studying in the School of Art & Design, Alfred University, New York. 

Marcello Caruso：我是来自佛罗伦萨艺术学院的一名学生。在2019年时，我获得了版画和平面艺术的荣誉学位。现在我正在攻读插画硕士专业的第二年也是最后一年课程。我本人来自南非，我的父亲是意大利人，母亲是南非人，因此我得以拥有双国籍。五年前我开始在意大利进入艺术名校佛罗伦萨艺术学院学习。我希望能够探索创造力与交流的视觉语言，并常常借鉴不同文化背景下的历史和神话，尤其是那种主要利用图像进行沟通的文化。

Marcello Caruso: I am a student at the Accademia di belle arti di Firenze (the Academy of Fine Arts of Florence). In 2019 I received my degree, with honors, in printmaking and graphic arts. I am currently in my second and final year of a master in Illustration. Originally, I am from South Africa, my father is Italian and my mother South African, therefore I have dual citizenship. Five years ago, I was presented with the opportunity to study in Italy at the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts of Florence. I aim to explore the visual language of creativity and communication, and often draw upon the history and myths of different cultures, especially those that predominantly make use of imagery to communicate.

郑琹语：我是郑琹语，本科、研究生毕业于中央美院设计学院。目前就读于美国纽约视觉艺术学院，为视觉插图散文系的一年级研究生。

Qinyu Zheng: I’m Qinyu Zheng and I graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts. I’m a first-year master student in MFA Illustration at the Visual Essay program at School of Visual Arts, New York. 

Mona：我来自江苏无锡。在美国纽约New York Studio School 学习绘画。

Mona: I am from Wuxi. I am taking the post-graduation program at the New York Studio School in New York, United States.

王子平：我叫王子平，来自辽宁沈阳，目前是美国纽约普瑞特设计学院绘画专业的二年级研究生。

Ziping Wang: My name is Ziping Wang from Shenyang, China, currently a second-year graduate student at the School of Design, Pratt Institute, majoring in fine art.

安全距离，特拉华州，王思又供图

Safety Distance, Delaware

Image Provided by Siyou Wang

艺讯网：你目前身在何处？新冠疫情对你有什么直接影响？目前的生活和心理状态如何？ 

CAFA ART INFO: Where are you currently? How does the COVID-19 pandemic directly influence you? What are your current life situation and mental health?

王思又：这次的疫情迫使美国绝大多数的学校都停课了，学生们不得不返回自己的家里上网课。美国疫情爆发初期正值春假，这直接打乱了我的一切计划。首先是收到学校邮件通知学生先上一周网课，然后回学校照常上课。这让当时的我非常地不安，因为我知道新冠病毒的传播能力有多强，再加上美国人没有戴口罩的习惯，一旦春假结束，学生们从各个地方返回学校上课，很难保证没有人携带病毒。我的学校位置比较偏僻，周边医疗条件有限，如果疫情爆发，后果难以预料。两天后学校终于决定关闭学校，将本学期所有剩余的课程改为网上授课，我的担心不存在了，但是新的挑战也来了。由于学校关闭我们必须要清空宿舍，因此我们要找到合适的地方存放自己的物品。我和三个同学选择在离学校开车十分钟路程的地方租了一个大仓库，把所有物品存放进去。我之前本来有回北京的打算，但是看到身边大部分朋友的机票都被取消了，而且一些已经回去的同学他们的回程经历也是十分曲折——比如我前几天了解到有的同学历经了 60 多 个小时才回到北京。同时，国内的政策也是在不停地变化，现在要回北京的话首先都会被分流到别的城市，在降落城市隔离 14 天后才能回北京。现在我在特拉华州和我的朋友一起，状态还不错，没有因为疫情的爆发而过度恐慌，日常生活也准备了充足的应对措施。

Siyou Wang: The COVID-19 pandemic caused the suspension of classes in a large majority of schools in the United States and students had to go back to their homes for online classes. I was on spring break at the beginning of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. It directly disrupted all my plans. First of all, I received an email from the school informing me that I would have online classes for a week and then we can go back to school as usual. This made me feel really uneasy because I knew how strong the transmission ability of the coronavirus was. Plus, Americans are not accustomed to wearing masks; once the spring break is over and students return to school from different areas, it's easy for the virus to be out of control. Besides, my school AU is located in a remote place and the medical conditions are limited. The consequences of the outbreak are unpredictable. Two days later, the school finally decided to close down and change all the remaining courses of this semester to online teaching. My worry was gone, but new challenges came. Because of the closure of the school, we had to empty our dormitories. In this case, we had to find somewhere to store our stuff. Three of my friends and I chose to rent a large storage unit ten minutes away from our school and put all the belongings in it. I considered going back to Beijing, but I noticed that most of my friends' tickets had been cancelled. Some of the students who have already returned have also had a very tortuous return journey. For example, I learned that some students took more than 60 hours to return to Beijing. Meanwhile, domestic policy is also changing constantly. If you want to go back to Beijing now, you will be diverted to another city. Only after you are isolated for 14 days, can you then move to Beijing for the next stop. Now I'm in Delaware with my friends. I'm in good shape. I haven't panicked too much because of the outbreak and I've taken enough preventative measures in my daily life. 

阿尔弗雷德的雪，王思又供图

Snow, Alfred, Image Provided by Siyou Wang

Marcello Caruso：我目前在意大利佛罗伦萨。新冠疫情的流行对意大利的日常生活造成了不利影响，我相信在其它国家也是一样。政府鼓励我们待在室内，限制所有不必要的外出活动。生活被局限在我们所居住的方寸之间，我们只有在去超市（购买生活必需品）时才能外出，但在超市人们也彼此保持距离。

Marcello Caruso: I am currently in Florence, Italy. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on everyday life in Italy, as I am sure it has had in most other countries as well. We are encouraged to stay indoors, and limit all unnecessary outdoor activities. Life has become limited to the personal space in which we live. We have the opportunity to leave our homes only to go to the supermarket where people keep their distance from one another.

郑琹语：目前身在纽约。新冠疫情爆发以来，全纽约的艺术类院校陆续停课，开始网上授课。疫情初期，药房的口罩很早就被抢购一空，只能求助国内的家人和朋友邮寄了几批口罩。我在亚马逊上较早也购买了酒精喷雾、消毒水等物资。由于我长期在家做饭，所以家里的囤粮一直是富余的，偶尔也会和室友一起出门采购一批物资。

Qinyu Zheng: I’m currently in NYC. The art schools in NYC closed the campuses and started online courses due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the U.S. During the early period of quarantine, the masks in pharmacies had already been sold out, so I had to ask my family members and friends for help. I bought some supplies from Amazon. The supply of food is fine as I usually cook at home. Sometimes I will go to the grocery stores with my roommate.

超市门口排队的场景，郑琹语供图

People were queuing in front of the H Mart, Image provided by Qinyu Zheng

Mona：我生活在美国纽约布鲁克林区。学校目前已经关闭， 除了药店和超市以外的所有商店都已经关闭。我们得知的信息是到五月初整个春季学期都会在网上授课完成。我在家工作和学习，一周分几次和老师同学们在网上完成学习任务，其余时间在家画素描和读书写作，搜集资料并寻找相关推广作品的机会。因为两年前已经在美国获得艺术硕士学位，现在所在的学习项目不是学位制，除了参与所选修的课程项目以外，我没有严格的学位课程制度需要完成。加上之前几年独立艺术家的经验，我有建立自己的工作方式。学校的通知是因为我们学校没有决定延长学期，所以学生签证不会因此延期。

Mona: I am in New York City. The school is closed, as well as all the other non-essential businesses. I am currently working from home and I have zoom-meeting with teachers and other classmates a few times a week. The rest of the time I am reading, writing, researching and looking for opportunities to promote my work online. The change of ways and how we get education as art students do not have a huge influence on me since I am not in a degree-seeking program, which means I am not required to meet any deadlines but only keep attending classed that I registered for. In addition, with a couple of years of working independently as a practicing artist, I have developed my own strong work ethic. The student visa won’t be extended due to the COVID-19 situation, while the school has decided not to extend the academic calendar year.

王子平：我目前在得克萨斯州的休斯顿。纽约的新冠确诊人数上升的时候，有一些公司开始允许员工居家工作，我家楼上的室友对疫情很不重视，当晚就开了个大派对，叫了七、八个人来家里，我觉得非常害怕，也担心之后会有“封城”的政策，所以第二天一早我把我的猫交给了朋友，打包了毕业论文的参考书目和油画颜料，快速逃离纽约，寄居在人相对没那么密集的休斯顿乡下的朋友家里。过了几天之后学校发了通知说工作室禁止任何人员出入，又过了几天说毕业展和毕业典礼取消；再过了几天说因为我在学校木工房工作，而木工房在疫情期间不会开放，所以我的一部分工读助学金会被取消。我申请的一些艺术家驻留也在这几天发了邮件说今年不会开放驻留项目。

Ziping Wang: I’m currently in Houston, Texas. When the number of confirmed cases in NY began to rise, many companies started their work-at-home policy to encourage social distancing. My upstairs neighbor was not taking the situation seriously and hosted a big party that very night. I was partly alarmed by their irresponsible action. Besides, I feared the potential of a city-wide lockdown on the horizon, so I made the decision to find a friend to take care of my cat, packed my thesis paper references and my painting materials, and escaped to suburban Houston where the population density is much lower. Days later, I got the email about no access to the studio, after that there was an email about the cancellation of the degree show and graduation ceremony, then the reduction of stipend from my graduation assistantship. Some of the residency program I’ve applied to also announced they will cancel their programs for the year.

新冠疫情之前二年级学生的公开点评，王子平供图

Before COVID 19, 2nd Year student Public critique

Image provided by Ziping Wang

艺讯网：目前你所留学/所在的国家防疫政策如何？

CAFA ART INFO: What is the current pandemic prevention policy in the country you are studying/staying?

王思又：众所周知美国的疫情日益严重。或许是因为在疫情初期抱有虚幻的希望或者其他什么原因，这边现在才开始全面应对疫情。现在美国的感染人数每天都在飞速增长，已跃居全球第一。美国防疫政策与我国的差异是由很多深层原因造成的，这需要更多的学习和研究才能真正理解，可能和美国政治基因中最重要的“自治”有关吧。现在有些州已经宣布封城，比如我学校所在的纽约州，州长下令停止所有非必要的商业活动，就连最繁华的纽约市都被迫按下了暂停键。我还清楚地记得我大一时第一次去纽约的经历：当时在纽约甚至让我感到有一丝不安，因为这座城市到处都散发着一种“涌动”的感觉，让人有一种永远不能停下的急促感。然而就是这样一座繁华的城市，在疫情的爆发下也罕见地变成了一座空城。在纽约的医务人员们表示纽约的医院已经不堪重负的情况下，特朗普却依然信心满满。他甚至称希望在复活节前放开美国一切的公共活动。要知道中国用了整整两个月时间的严格隔离才大致稳定了局面。

Siyou Wang: As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the United States is becoming increasingly serious. Maybe it's because of the illusory hope at the beginning or for some reason that the U.S. now starts to deal with the pandemic in an all-round way. Now the number of infected people is growing rapidly every day, and the infection number here has become the highest in the world. There are many deep-seated reasons for the difference between the U.S. pandemic prevention policy and China’s, which requires more study and research to understand deeply. Probably it’s because of "autonomy," the most important word in American political genes. Now some states have announced closure, such as New York State where my school is located. The governor ordered to stop all unnecessary commercial activities. Even the most prosperous New York City was forced to press the pause button. I still remember the first time I went to New York in my freshman year. At that time, I even felt a little uneasy in New York because there was a sense of surging everywhere in the city, which made people feel a sense of urgency that you can never stop. However, such a bustling city has never before shifted to an empty city under the outbreak of the Coronavirus. Medical staff in New York said hospitals are overburdened, while Trump remains confident. He even said he hoped to open up all public activities in the United States before Easter. It took China two months of strict isolation to stabilize the situation.

停下！特拉华州的鹅，王思又供图

Stop! Geese in Delaware, Image provided by Siyou Wang

郑琹语：政府建议大家在家工作，学校停课，勤洗手，不要接触陌生人。对于轻症患者，政府建议在家自己隔离。现在出门也会看到一半的人佩戴口罩和手套，公共场合都会配备免洗洗手液，有的超市会提供手套。整体来说大家都开始增强防护意识，这一点是我比较高兴的。

Qinyu Zheng: The government suggested residents to work from home, and schools to close the campuses. The best way to prevent the illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus, wash our hands often. For those whose symptoms were less severe at COVID-19, they should stay at home and self-quarantine. Fifty percent of people have already put on masks and gloves when outside and public areas will provide sanitizer, some supermarkets even provide free gloves. In general, I’m happy to see people starting to take precautions in protecting themselves.

疫情期间，郑琹语在家插的花

During the pandemic period, Qinyu Zheng was practicing flower arrangements at home.  

Mona：不出门，在没有必须要出门的原因时呆在家里。政府已经加大测试力度，并在短期内通过增加4个临时医疗点、招募大量志愿医疗人员和购买治疗物资的措施，希望在两周内减缓感染速度。

Mona: Self-distancing. If you are not working for essential business, you are required to stay home.  

王子平：美国很多的州已经下达了“Stay at home居家隔离”的命令，在纽约的话一切娱乐场所关闭，餐馆也只接受外卖。我目前居住的休斯顿也开始了居家隔离的措施，餐厅、商场关闭，只留下一些必须开放的地方如：加油站，食品超市。

Ziping Wang: Many states in the U.S. have issued the stay-at-home order to the public. All public gathering spots were shut down, and the restaurants are only accepting takeouts. Houston, where I currently stay, has done the same, only the necessities remained open, such as gas stations and grocery stores.

艺讯网：你所在的学校是如何应对疫情的？是否开始了线上网课等无接触授课模式？

CAFA ART INFO: How is your university responding to the outbreak of the pandemic? Does your school start a contactless model, such as online classes?

新手，特拉华州，王思又供图

Green Hand, Delaware, Image provided by Siyou Wang

王思又：学校要求所有学生回家，当然留学生如果没有办法回国的可以申请暂时住在学校一段时间。现在学校那边也是物资紧缺。有意思的是，在美国疫情爆发前，我在上玻璃课的时候，每周三学生们到工作室去进行大扫除时，老师都会发给每人一个 N95 口罩。那时正是国内疫情较为严重的一段时期，我当时甚至还想过向学校购买一些N95口罩寄回国内，可没想到短短几周后就迎来了美国疫情的大爆发。网课已经开始进行。然而对于艺术系的学生和老师而言，上网课并不像其他专业那样容易。让我遗憾的是我这学期的两门专业课，一门是制作玻璃，一门是陶瓷，在没有专业的场地设施和工具的情况下就不能正常上课，教授们只能发给我们一些视频和资料让我们做一些研究，这对我而言是比较大的损失。我们的网课是通过 zoom 软件进行的。对于教授们来说这也是一件不容易的事，因为他们很多人都没有通过这种方式授课的经验，他们在给我们上网课的时候也会咨询我们的意见，一些上了年纪的教授还会问我们一些技术上的问题。

Siyou Wang: Our school asked all students to go home. Of course, for the international students, we can apply to stay in the school a little bit longer. Now the school is also running short of supplies. Interestingly, before the outbreak of Coronavirus in the U.S., when I was in my glass course, the teacher gave each student an N95 mask when they went to the studio for general cleaning on Wednesday each week. At that time, it was the period of the severe epidemic in China. I even thought about buying some N95 masks from the school and sending them back. I didn't expect that it would come so quickly, just a few weeks later. Online classes have begun. For art students and professors, online classes are not as easy as other majors. I'm sad that I have two professional courses this semester, one is making glass, the other is ceramic hand- building. Without professional facilities, equipment and tools, the two courses cannot work. The professors can only send some videos and materials for us to do some research, which is a big loss for me. Our online class is conducted through Zoom. It's not easy for professors because many of them don't have the experience of teaching this way. When they give us online lessons, they would consult us. Some elderly professors also asked us some technical questions.

Marcello Caruso：学校组织了网上课程，通过这种方式，我们在一定程度上能够跟上课程与继续项目，但是我们仍旧处在不利地位。

Marcello Caruso: The Academy has arranged online classes and in this manner, we can, to an extent, still follow our classes and develop our projects, but unfortunately we are nonetheless at a disadvantage.

郑琹语：SVA已经开始了网课，我们系很多教授都是老年人，他们都非常认真地学习网课系统的操作方法，提前把课程内容通过邮件的方式和大家沟通，真的非常感动。网络课程系统也比较稳定，也可以同时看到同学们亲切的面孔，所以在家上课的感觉还是不错的。我们的系主任录了温暖的问候视频给大家，让大家在家里勤洗手、多创作，不要着急，心里非常感动。我们系的老师还会在每周五的晚上定期举行线上虚拟酒会，大家会一起在聊天室里“云干杯”，分享宅家的趣事儿，也是一种缓解心情的好方式。

Qinyu Zheng: SVA has already started online teaching, many of our professors are elderly, and they put in major effort to learn about the technical methods of online platforms and sending emails to us before every class, which I’m very grateful for. The online system is stable, I can see everyone’s face during classes, and I really enjoy it. The head of our department recorded a warm video for us, encouraging us to wash our hands frequently, create more artworks at home and not worry too much during this tough time. I was so moved. Every Friday our department will have an online virtual beer meeting, we can chat and cheer in the chatroom, share our experiences and stories of quarantine, that is a good way to release the pressure and retain a healthy mood.

郑琹语绘制的上网课场景

View of the online class drawn by Qinyu Zheng

Mona：学校每天定期网上群组会面, 所有课程通过zoom 完成。

Mona: Yes. The school hosts daily meetings as well as other classes through Zoom.

Mona的临时居所

Mona's temporary home, studio view

王子平：我们学校从3月12号开始停课，3月30号开始所有课程开始以网课的形式开展。一些理论性课程的网课相对会容易一些，我们一般用Zoom或者Google Class 但是我的陶瓷老师也在这周发了邮件，说觉得自己的釉色原理课程很难在没有工作室的情况下变成网课，目前以看视频和理论知识为主。

Ziping Wang: My school cancelled all classes on March 12th and will be transitioned to online classes starting March 30th. Classes that are more theory-based have transitioned easier. We used mainly Zoom or Google Class. However, my ceramic instructor has announced that his glaze and clay mixing class would be very difficult to teach without the ceramic studio. Therefore the online version of the class is now mainly theoretical, taught through videos.

艺讯网：特殊时期，如果身体不适怎么处理？学校给予帮助吗？

CAFA ART INFO: In this special period, will the school support you in terms of medical advice or hospitalization if you were feeling unwell?

王思又：现在大部分学生都已经回家，所以学校是帮不上忙的。如果身体不适的话还是尽早去附近的医院就医，医院会给你做一些检测，然后送往疾控中心，等结果下来后再确定是否要留院。

Siyou Wang: Now more and more students left campus, the school can't help it. If you feel unwell, you should go to the nearby hospital as soon as possible. The hospital will give you some tests and then send them to the CDC. After the results come back, you can determine whether you want to stay in the hospital.

郑琹语：如果不适要主动联系学校的健康中心，他们会给予帮助。每个学生都购买了医疗保险，也会报销一部分费用。

Qinyu Zheng: We were told If we are feeling uncomfortable, we can get help easily. Students should be able to contact the health and counseling center. Every student has health insurance and it will cover some of the cost of treatment.

Mona：每天谨慎小心，学校给基本的信息和医疗信息。但是我们学校没有专业的医护人员。

Mona: Be really careful about the basic daily routines to protect ourselves. The school gives medical advice and contacts for us if we are facing any issues. But unfortunately my school doesn’t have a professional medical consultant.

王子平：现在整个学校是关闭的状态，学校的医疗室会推荐学生去外面更专业的门诊或者医院治疗，学校的心理咨询室也改为网上咨询，上周我们学校曼哈顿校区有一例确诊，全校发了邮件告知，可能接触到确诊患者的人单独收到了通知，所以信息沟通还是很及时的。

Ziping Wang: Currently, the school is fully closed, and the school clinics will redirect students to hospitals where better care can be provided. Therapy sessions are becoming online sessions as well. Just last week, the Manhattan campus of Pratt had one confirmed case, and there was a school-wide announcement to warn those who have been in contact. Overall, the communication from school to individuals has been effective.

艺讯网：对于疫情在国际上全面爆发的前后不同阶段，你是否面临着不同的社会和舆论压力？

CAFA ART INFO: Do you confront various social and public pressures in the different stages of the pandemic before and after the international outbreak?

王思又：我没有面临太多舆论的压力，不过会有一些担心吧，毕竟疫情是在中国先爆发的。之前也听说有华人被打的事情发生。我身边的同学和朋友倒是都没有表现出不友好的态度，不过在社交平台上还是能看到一部分人表达对中国的不满，认为疫情是从中国开始传播到世界的。特朗普之前也公然将新冠病毒称为“中国病毒”，这样做不符合一般惯例且有很强的引导性，作为总统应该慎言。

Siyou Wang: I had some concerns when the pandemic broke out first in China and the news that Chinese or Asians were attacked. But I didn’t feel too much pressure from public opinions because every schoolmate and friend around me is friendly. However, on the social platform, we can see some people's dissatisfaction with China, believing that the coronavirus began to spread from China to the world. President Trump has also publicly turned the new coronavirus into a Chinese virus which is not in line with general practice and has strong guidance. As a president, he should be cautious.

Marcello Caruso, 《彼此》

Marcello Caruso, Each Other

Marcello Caruso：我相信在所有极端情况下，正如我们现在正在经历的情况，都会有社会性的强烈抗议，以呼吁团结和解和工资补偿。从我个人在意大利的经验来看，幸运的是，大多数人在为前者努力，我们大多通过视频电话等远程方式进行相互交流。我不禁感觉到，即使我们被迫彼此疏远，但仍有一种更为强大的凝聚力。

Marcello Caruso: I believe in all the extreme situations, like the one we are currently experiencing, there will be a social outcry, calling for both reconciliation and remuneration (retribuzione). To the extent of my experience in Italy, fortunately most people strive for the former, we interact with each other remotely, most often by means of video calls. I cannot help to feel the sense that even though we are coerced to distance ourselves from one another, that there is a feeling of even greater unity.

郑琹语：这个问题比较复杂，由于留学生大部分都是只身一人在国外生活，对每天爆发出来的疫情正面、负面的新闻都会对心理造成一定影响。在灾难面前，孤单会被无限放大，身份的认同感也会降低，因此我希望每个人可以用积极的态度面对这个艰难的时期，等待风雨后的彩虹。

Qinyu Zheng: This is a complicated question. Most of the international students live here alone. The positive and negative news of the pandemic can easily influence us. During this tragic time, the loneliness and the sense of isolation are being magnified and self-identity is diminished. I hope everyone can be optimistic and get through this difficult period. I’m sure better things are waiting for us in the near future. 

Mona：有读过相关新闻，也是每天的热点。但自己没有亲身经历过。

Mona: I have read related news. But I have not experienced it personally.  

王子平：在纽约刚刚开始有几例病例的时候，由于我每天要花50分钟搭乘地铁去学校的工作室，我立即下单了口罩等防疫用品，并在地铁上佩戴。在美国人的理念中，只有生病的人才需要戴口罩，所以经常在拥挤的地铁上会有人坚持和我保持距离，还有一次一个外国人阿姨看到空荡荡的车厢里有戴口罩的我，马上屏住呼吸换了个车厢。在中国疫情爆发严重的时候，我和别的亚洲学生曾经在班上讨论过，如果纽约不采取任何措施的话会非常危险，然而外国同学大部分表示:”不就是个感冒，你即使得了也死不了，死亡率就百分之三。”不过这几天看他们都开始发Instagram骂政府了，估计他们终于意识到问题的严重性了。

Ziping Wang: When there were only a few cases in New York, I prepared early and bought face masks to reduce the risk when on my subway ride which is about 50 minutes each way. But in the mind of Americans, only the sick wear masks, so you’ll see people keeping a good distance away from me even in crowded times. There was this one time when an older woman held her breath and switched the subway train right when she saw me stepping in front of her. When the outbreak was serious in China, my fellow Asian students and I discussed that if New York did not take proper precautions now, the consequence may be dire. But the rest of the students all had the impression that it’s like a flu which has a low mortality rate to worry about it. But in the week following this, they all joined forces in demanding more action from the government, so I suppose they realized the gravity of the situation after all.

艺讯网：计划如何度过这段特殊时期？

CAFA ART INFO: How do you plan to spend this special period?

王思又：这算是我人生中第一次面对这样的情况吧，之前非典爆发的时候我只有三岁。这次又是身处国外，远离家人，就更要全靠自己了。我现在的打算就是尽量减少外出，之前已经囤够了一定的生活必需品，现在能做的就是宅在家里，认真上网课，在闲暇时进行一些简单的创作，或者至少把一些想法记录下来。还有就是在家的适时锻炼也很重要，增强抵抗力也是必不可少的防疫措施之一。

Siyou Wang: This is the first time in my life I have encountered something like this. I was only three years old when SARS broke out. Besides, this time I am living abroad, far away from my family, I have to rely on myself for everything. My plan now is very simple: go out as few times as possible. I bought enough necessities in advance, I stay at home, take online lessons and think about new works, or at least record some ideas and make some layouts. What’s more, I EXERCISE at home. Strengthening resistance to infection is also one of the necessary prevention measures.

郑琹语：我觉得自己在这边只要心态好、食物储备充足，在家还是可以继续学习、创作的。而且在家里这几天，我觉得创作的效率反而提高了不少，省去了路上来回坐地铁的时间和不必要的社交活动，节省下来的时间可以做更多有意义的事情。

Qinyu Zheng: If we keep an optimistic attitude, and take care of ourselves, we should have no problem to continue studying and working. During these days, I feel that my efficiency has improved. The time saved from the commute and social activities can be used in other meaningful things if we have the right goals in mind.

Mona：保持（和外界的）联系，持续创作，保持健康。

Mona: Be connected, be productive, be healthy.

疫情中王子平在后院用塑料水瓶当镇纸做蓝晒

Creating cyanotype in the backyard using plastic bottle as paperweight, Image Provided by Ziping Wang

王子平：虽然没有毕业展了，但是也打算继续画画、写毕业论文、学一些新的技能（最近在研究烤面包，感觉与陶瓷和泥差不太多，准备参加海外朋友圈做饭大赛：）我没办法闲下来，闲下来会有一种愧疚感，会觉得自己作为艺术家能做的事情太少了，现在只能在家里呆着，不给社会添乱。

Ziping Wang: Although it’s unfortunate that the thesis show has been cancelled, I still plan to continue working on my thesis paper and painting. I can’t stand to stay idle; idleness fills me with guilt. I would feel that it is so little for me to do as an artist and the only thing I can help is to stay at home and not cause more problems.

艺讯网：疫情的经历是否会成为你的创作素材？

CAFA ART INFO: Will the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic influence your art creation?

王思又：一定的，这是一段难得的经历，也带给了我很多不同的感受。通过这一段经历我应该能做出一些不一样的作品。

Siyou Wang: To be sure. Such a rare experience which brings me so many special feelings. It will emit something different.

王思又，木刻版画，阿尔弗雷德，2020

Siyou Wang, Woodcut Print, Alfred, 2020 

Marcello Caruso: 这段时期毫无疑问会影响我们每个人的创作。普遍认可的是，我们有义务站在一起并尊重我们的社会责任。并非通过艺术、社交媒体或是与我们直接交流的人来传播痛苦，而应团结一致。

Marcello Caruso: This period will definitely have an impact on each one of us and our work. It is believed that our obligation to stand together and respect our social obligations, not to spread panic but rather unity, be it through art, social media or interaction with the people we find in our immediate midst.

郑琹语：我正在计划在完成日常创作之余用每日一画简单记录一下疫情期间的生活，用一点小插画记录这个艰难的时期。相信每个插画师朋友多少都有点创作的小冲动吧。

Qinyu Zheng: I’m going to create some daily drawings to record my quarantined life. I believe the pandemic certainly provided new content and material for us to think about and reflect on. Many of my illustrator friends will have inspirations to create new artworks.

郑琹语，《社交距离》

Qinyu Zheng, Social Distancing

Mona：会的，我觉得成为艺术家是不断寻找自身和他人，周围，社会，文化，自然 等之间的关系。这次疫情危机对我来说是在极端环境下审视自我和自我需求。

Mona: Yes Definitely.  I think being an artist is a journey to constantly seek a personal relationship with others, with surroundings, with society, with culture, with nature etc. The crisis and quarantine are an extreme situation for me to reflect on my thoughts and my needs. 

Mona, 《没有黑暗我如何能看见光明》，布面丙烯

Without dark how can I see light, 30 x 36 inches, (76.2 x 91.44 cm), Acrylic on Canvas, 2019, ©️ Mona

Mona, 《游行中拿气球的人》，布面油画、丙烯

Ballon Holder in the Parade, 48 x 52 inches (121.92x132.08cm), oil and acrylic on canvas, 2019, ©️ Mona

王子平：我觉得对我会有一种影响，但是不会成为我绘画的素材。在这次疫情中有很多情感是我之前没有体会过的，也有很多事情是我没想象过会发生在我和我的朋友身上的，这一定会对我产生一些影响。但是我对于直接记录疫情这件事十分抵触，因为我不想消费甚至美化这种重大灾害事件，我希望我可以用更实际的方式去帮助需要帮助的人。

Ziping Wang: I believe it will affect me, but the pandemic will not become a subject matter in my works. There are many new experiences and emotions I’ve had during this pandemic, some I would never imagine happening to me and people around me, so yes, this will have an impact. But I disdain the action of recording it down because I don’t wish to commercialize, or even gentrify an experience like this. I want to help others with ways that matter more.

艺讯网：是否今年毕业？毕业展会有变化吗？

CAFA ART INFO: Will you graduate this year? Will the degree show be changed or postponed?

王思又：我今年不毕业，但我听今年毕业的学姐说他们今年应该不能办毕业展了，感觉还是挺遗憾的，本来我还想去参观的。

Siyou Wang: I don't graduate this year, but I heard that the physical graduation exhibition this year would be cancelled. It's still a pity as I could have visited it.  

郑琹语：今年不毕业。毕业展目前没有影响。

Qinyu Zheng: I’m not graduating this year. There is no impact of the thesis show for me.

Mona：我会完成正常学期。但是毕业展会延期，具体还没有通知。

Mona: No. I am not in a degree-seeking program. Other fellow students will still have their shows, but they are postponed.

王子平：今年5月16号是原定的毕业典礼，一周前学校发邮件通知毕业典礼和毕业展都被取消了。我昨天打电话取消了我的毕业礼服礼帽的订单，店家表示理解并很快速地退了钱给我。昨天听说纽约有的学校把毕业展推迟到了秋季，我们系的二年级学生也在和校方争取别的可能性。

Ziping Wang: May 16th of this year was the date for the commencement of my show, but it was cancelled last week. I cancelled my order for the cape and gown yesterday and they were very understanding about it. There was news about other New York based art schools pushed their thesis show to the fall and we are communicating with the school about other possibilities as well.

Interview conducted by CAFA ART INFO

Dates: 2020/03/23 – 2020/04/10

Edited by Sue and Emily Weimeng Zhou

Image provided by the interviewees

(Except for special annotations)

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