Jochen Volz warns against romanticizing artistic production during quarantine

Jochen Volz, general director of the Pinacoteca de São Paulo, expresses deep concern for Brazil's artistic class and cultural institutions during the coronavirus pandemic. He criticizes the federal government's disregard for culture and highlights the severe impact on artists who depend on public interaction. While acknowledging that significant art may emerge from this period, Volz insists it should not be seen romantically, but as a testament to art's persistent creation despite adversity. The Pinacoteca has shifted to digital platforms with its Pina de Casa program, offering daily artwork highlights, live curator talks, and virtual tours, which have seen a fivefold increase in visitation. All scheduled exhibitions are postponed, not canceled, and the museum is striving to avoid staff layoffs despite financial risks. Volz emphasizes the museum's role as a plural space for political and social dialogue, contrasting federal cultural policies with increased public attendance at museums across Brazil in 2019.