The statistics of COVID-19 change with every news cycle, and with growing numbers, stay-at-home isolation and a near-universal disruption to society on a global scale, it is ever more important to consider the human aspect of this coronavirus. Amid the sad surrealism of living through social distancing, quarantines and bans on gatherings of groups of any size, creative professionals — artists, musicians, promoters, club owners, techs, producers, and more — are seeing an effect like nothing witnessed in the last century, and as humanity as a whole deals with this calamity, some perspective on who, what, where, when and how we’re all getting through is a needed reminder of why we’re doing so in the first place.

Thus, Days of Rona, in some attempt to help document the state of things as they are now, both so help can be asked for and given where needed, and so that when this is over it can be remembered.

Thanks to all who participate. To read all the Days of Rona coverage, click here. — JJ Koczan

Days of Rona: Vince Trommel of CAVUMscriptorium (The Netherlands)

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How are you dealing with this crisis? Have you had to rework plans at all? How is your health so far?

Health-wise I am fine, I don’t mind staying at home. As an illustrator I am not leaving home that much. My plans did change, I am trying to help colleagues and friends from behind the drawing table.

My friend and colleague Kim Holm invited me to join the #coronart challenge. I wanted to use that to share artwork to give the world some art to look at and I wanted to tag colleagues in my live drawing streams and posts to put some focus on their creative output. I know I am not one of the big names in the illustration industry but I saw some people following artists I linked and even moved them to the webshops.

I am still able to draw so I am trying to support people with that and also keeping myself busy since I don’t have any confirmed projects in my agenda anyway.

What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?

The Netherlands is all about an “intelligent lockdown” or something like that. But I think the authorities are overestimating the intelligence of most people. But then again, I don’t know what is right or wrong at this moment. I’ll try to stay away from the radio (I don’t own a tv) a lot more now. There are a few rules we should all keep in mind, keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters, work from home as much as possible, don’t shake hands, stay at home unless you need to grab some groceries. BUT DON’T BE ONE OF THOSE COVIDIOTS WHO KEEPS ON HOARDING FOOD.

How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?

I sure did, shows cancelled, illustrators who lost projects, the local brewery I create artwork for is now closed for a while. ROADBURN… that was my holiday and opportunity to see many colleagues and friends again to share our lives. I feel for Walter since his story and the celebration of what the world needs in both a visual as an musical way came to a hold. It is just really sad to see creative outputs and projects not become reality for all of us to enjoy and experience. A Lot of hard work is (partially) lost because of this weird daze.

In the small village where I live it’s always rather quiet but now I don’t even see children playing outside that much and it seems like everyone is staying in when possible. Apparently the virus is raging the elderly homes.

What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?

Financially I am not doing worse than before haha. But I keep myself busy, mainly to help people I work with who are not really understanding what is going on at this moment. Let’s say they have some side notes to their lives so they could use some help. I am making drawings with instructions and I’m trying to make their day a bit more fun. For example, I’m working on a coloring page for some of them and maybe it would be fun for children to spend their time with as well. And as I mentioned I try to give shoutouts to people who could use some more attention.

I feel like this gives me more of a reason to continue doing what I do and it keeps me distracted from the nasty news updates and situation. Hopefully I will inspire people who are reading this to do the same.

https://www.facebook.com/vince.cavum/
https://www.instagram.com/third.circle.art/
http://trommelart.blogspot.com/
https://www.cavumscriptorium.com/