I spotted this on a post by my friend Ben Henretig, who heard the term from Melina Lillios. Here's what Ben had to say about this and the other creative reframes he posted:

∆ In this time of collective crisis and overwhelm, to contact your inner artist is, indeed, a revolutionary act ∆

I am moved by the depth of the challenge we are facing right now both individually and collectively. Dismissing the seriousness of this moment prematurely or refusing to grieve the tremendous loss and suffering we are enduring as a culture is dangerous.

And yet, perhaps the most exquisite quality of our humanity is the capacity of our individual and collective imagination to transform reality. To transmute the broken into the beautiful.

And so, as millions of us are being driven into "forced isolation", I feel it is our moral imperative to listen, deeply, for the invitations amidst the mayhem.

The myth of separation - and all of the belief structures and institutions that perpetuate this myth - is crumbling. The myth feeds off of our continued denial of our interconnectedness; of our unassailable creative potential, our intuitive capacity, our self-sovereignty, our wholeness & inner radiance.

But here's the most beautiful thing. We have a choice in all of this. Our economy, our culture, our companies, our institutions, all exist as a set of stories & agreements that require our active participation. And, in this moment of crisis, we are entering a liminal moment. Reality as we know it has liquified, and is ready to be reshaped.

And so, the question is: do you choose to view this as a period of economic collapse, or creative renewal?

Will you wallow in your loneliness, or choose to revel in the gift of solitude in an age of incessant input?

Will you allow your fear & neurosis to consume you, or will you find the courage to reach out, in solidarity, to friends / family / fellow artists to explore ways of being of mutual support?

For these days, will you remain an expectant consumer? Or will you have the courage to risk contacting your creative essence?

It's not easy - and there's no handbook. That's what makes this ride both terrifying and ecstatic.

And so, I am here to declare that the period of shelter-in-place is over. Your artist-in-residence has begun.

Love to you all. Let's imagine a better future [and make great art] together.

-Benjamin

Thank you for the original photography: Sasha Freemind, Steve Johnson, Jiroe, and Selah Wreck.