It's March 2020. The UK, along with large parts of Europe and the rest of the world are now facing mass isolation due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Our daily lives have been turned upside down very quickly with many of us concerned about finances, food and childcare. With schools, shops, bars and restaurants shut down within a matter of days, the narrative we are used to living within has rapidly been adjusted from shop, spend, socialise to stay home stay safe. Tv adverts, also encourage us to do the same. Have you noticed the lack of McDonalds adverts in exchange for Department of Health and supermarkets?
Within this temporary new way of living, how are photographers responding? Perhaps as photographers it is our job to document this moment in history, as a bizarre and scary time around the world. Maybe it's our role to tell the stories of the isolated and the vulnerable at this time. Or could it be that this sudden influx of "isolation art" renders a photographer's work meaningless amongst the masses? Does the accessibility of the subject make it equally inaccessible?
There is certainly an inability for photographers to meet with people and to get to desired locations at the moment. But maybe, you are in a position with a full body of work ready for release; a series which may have taken years of research and work. While there is a global crisis right now, those series still contain a range of stories and social issues that are begging to be heard.
There is a lot of "isolation art" in the world right now. It is relevant and already dominating conversation. For some it may be helpful in curing the boredom of staying home or it may feel natural to document this period in time. It is of course a big topic of interest globally and any audience reaction for now is highly active. For others it may feel counter intuitive to engage with "isolation art" if they have a personal series due for release.
There's no right or wrong in this situation. Whether you are documenting the mass isolation or releasing the work you intended to at this point, one thing is clear: we're all in this together.
Resolved Photographic would love to hear your thoughts.
This Blog was written for Resolved Photographic by Claire Watt
Comments