Ed. 4 DISTANCE — Magdalena Jadwiga Härtelova

All my conversations these days start with the acknowledgment of our “strange times”. Looking to Before the Pandemic, at least from my room, from now, makes it seem very clear that there was nothing “normal” about the times before these. When realities such as global pandemics, the politics of health care, the thoughtlessness of corporation-dominated agricultural, or the influence of our techno-capitalist world on the planet touch us, still gently poke our sides, it brings to foreground what we might have not (been able to/chosen to) see. One example for all, from our quarantines and safe distances, we are getting a taste of some of what it is like to live as many people with various health conditions. Distances become obvious and re-configure.

I have been thinking about the digital distance. How incredibly stretchy it is. I’m able to have a real-time dinner with you. Yet, at times, it still feels like the famous Cosmic Eye video, you moving away from my through the screen at proportional distances so fast until in three minutes you are on the edge of the assumed Universe. It makes tangible the reason why we decided to focus on growing Bellies IRL rather than through online platforms, to expand one friend of a friend at time, to be a collective. I miss you all.

It’s not that I hate on the digital, however. Look what an amazing zine was able to come together! I’m also grateful we can keep in touch. As you might have noticed, we are currently using our facebook site to connect people who offer and/or need things in quarantine. We have friends offering chats, errands, collaborations, audio message “audiobooks”, fun videos, and more. Here is the original post. Also, Janna has pointed me out to great resource regarding unemployment supports in Germany. As always, don’t hesitate to contact us at belliesberlin@gmail. I mean it, if distances are stretchy, we can change them.

There are three more short things I would like to share with you. 1. I have been taking part in an amazing project on cooperative health care by artist Cassie Thornton, The Hologram, and I wish everybody would experience it. There is a paid research opportunity to get to know it and establish a little hologram cell of your own, here. 2. I don’t like planning for “when this is over”. What exactly should be over? But for when it’s safer to stand closer to each other, I have been reading this Bifo article. 3. And a video that I can’t get enough of, although I have to take it in little doses. Is there a thing as “too real”? It’s I’m Worried About the Future by our friend sound artist slowfoam and her sister, director Caroline Byrd.

Magda

Content warning: The material in this zine discusses loss, isolation, etc., it also contents a penis.

John has prepared a list of what he’s listening to right now that includes many new releases by Bellies friends alongside finds from old school hippie times.

Here

Now, we have an incredible zine for you!

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