COVID-19 Personified in ArtReview Column Critiques Art World Hypocrisy

ArtReview published a satirical guest column written from the perspective of the novel coronavirus, which critiques human society and the art world's contradictions. The virus describes its global spread to China, America, India, and European countries, referencing its presence at art events like the Armory Show and Frieze. It humorously outlines following a '7 steps to becoming a full-time artist' guide from lifehack.org, comparing its viral spread to an artistic career. The column mentions the virus's appreciation for actor Dennis Hopper's roles in 'Blue Velvet' and 'Speed,' drawing parallels to its own existential purpose. It criticizes the art world's exclusionary tendencies while noting the irony of cultural industry figures advocating for inclusion. The piece references ArtReview's Power 100 list of influential art world figures, suggesting the virus has achieved recognition through its global impact. Written in first-person as a darkly comedic monologue, the column uses the pandemic to examine human behavior, colonial metaphors, and art world dynamics.