This space is a collection of written contribution from collaborators. Thoughts, feelings, to-do lists, actions list, sounds, sights.
20 May, Milan
Elena Martelli
The past months have been quite hard here in Milano: the whole area has been severely hit by the Covid. We have had lot of dead, and we were constantly worried about our old parents, since the elderly were the most exposed to the virus. During quarantine Milano was almost unrecognizable: silent and quiet; clean streets; no traffic and noise; clear skies. The most impressive thing was the quality of the air: Milano sits in one of the most polluted area of Europe; during the quarantine, with no cars around and the factories almost closed down, we were able to experience clean and fresh air for the first time! We could smell the perfume of the coming spring. It was amazing!
Now the lockdown is almost over, and people are slowly going back to their normal life. There are still some restrictions: We must go around with surgical masks, and we are not allowed to crowd in bars, pubs and restaurants. Cinemas and theatres are still closed. We are not allowed to travel from one region to another. Everybody is worried about economic recession: many people have lost their jobs, and a lot of activities won’t be able to go back in business. The uncertainty is great. I personally felt more secure during the quarantine than now. Also because many people are disregarding the distancing rules, we fear the virus may recur, forcing all of us to another lockdown.
During the two lockdown months we have witnessed the incredible recovery of the whole Nature: wild animals walking through villages and cities; rivers usually polluted becoming crystal clear; dolphins entering all the way through harbors approaching humans without fear; whales peacefully swimming close to the coasts… for me this was truly exciting! Heaven!
Now that humans are back in activity, I’m afraid we’ll go back polluting and devastating the environment as usual, if not worse. I feel very anxious about it, and I fell more depressed now than during the quarantine.
Elena Martelli
The past months have been quite hard here in Milano: the whole area has been severely hit by the Covid. We have had lot of dead, and we were constantly worried about our old parents, since the elderly were the most exposed to the virus. During quarantine Milano was almost unrecognizable: silent and quiet; clean streets; no traffic and noise; clear skies. The most impressive thing was the quality of the air: Milano sits in one of the most polluted area of Europe; during the quarantine, with no cars around and the factories almost closed down, we were able to experience clean and fresh air for the first time! We could smell the perfume of the coming spring. It was amazing!
Now the lockdown is almost over, and people are slowly going back to their normal life. There are still some restrictions: We must go around with surgical masks, and we are not allowed to crowd in bars, pubs and restaurants. Cinemas and theatres are still closed. We are not allowed to travel from one region to another. Everybody is worried about economic recession: many people have lost their jobs, and a lot of activities won’t be able to go back in business. The uncertainty is great. I personally felt more secure during the quarantine than now. Also because many people are disregarding the distancing rules, we fear the virus may recur, forcing all of us to another lockdown.
During the two lockdown months we have witnessed the incredible recovery of the whole Nature: wild animals walking through villages and cities; rivers usually polluted becoming crystal clear; dolphins entering all the way through harbors approaching humans without fear; whales peacefully swimming close to the coasts… for me this was truly exciting! Heaven!
Now that humans are back in activity, I’m afraid we’ll go back polluting and devastating the environment as usual, if not worse. I feel very anxious about it, and I fell more depressed now than during the quarantine.
1 May, LA
Charlene Shih
The weather has been nice, and there are definitely more cars on the streets now.
On the same street where I took the pictures there's a senior home, and they have been putting out the hiring signs for weeks now. There's a Baptist church just one block from the senior home, across the street there's a mosque, and a gun store just another few blocks away. Further down there's a homeless encampment. A very diverse community...
There was a pretty big protest in Orange county yesterday (45 mins from LA) , people want there freedom and their beach back. I seriously think people are loosing their minds now.
Charlene Shih
The weather has been nice, and there are definitely more cars on the streets now.
On the same street where I took the pictures there's a senior home, and they have been putting out the hiring signs for weeks now. There's a Baptist church just one block from the senior home, across the street there's a mosque, and a gun store just another few blocks away. Further down there's a homeless encampment. A very diverse community...
There was a pretty big protest in Orange county yesterday (45 mins from LA) , people want there freedom and their beach back. I seriously think people are loosing their minds now.
18 April, New York
Mei-Chun Kuan
I was feeling sad today and wondering, if the economy gets so bad, who will still care about art.
Since my work and passion is involved with art and design, it made me feel irrelevant during this strange time.Then I went out and took pictures, and knowing I am contributing to this project and that people on the other side of the world can see the street and sky in Brooklyn, New York... It made me feel grateful.
Mei-Chun Kuan
I was feeling sad today and wondering, if the economy gets so bad, who will still care about art.
Since my work and passion is involved with art and design, it made me feel irrelevant during this strange time.Then I went out and took pictures, and knowing I am contributing to this project and that people on the other side of the world can see the street and sky in Brooklyn, New York... It made me feel grateful.
27 April, LA
Charlene Shih
Attached are the pictures from [LA] today, not that big a difference...it's just getting hot here, and people are getting antsy.
Charlene Shih
Attached are the pictures from [LA] today, not that big a difference...it's just getting hot here, and people are getting antsy.
15 April, Sydney
Karen Goldrich
Lovely weather. Again. Cool early for a walk/run around the Bay…with everybody else. The parks have never been so busy and it’s feels joyful to see so many family groups, and people walking dogs, or kicking balls in pairs (or is that 4 people over there?). And I might be imagining it but are there more birds around than usual? Queued up to go into Coles, tried not to feel too smug that for once I didn’t have the check the toilet paper isle. To do: work from home (reports, call backs), set up old sewing machine and do two decades worth of mending, inspire adult children to get off Netflix and do some stuff to help around the house.
Karen Goldrich
Lovely weather. Again. Cool early for a walk/run around the Bay…with everybody else. The parks have never been so busy and it’s feels joyful to see so many family groups, and people walking dogs, or kicking balls in pairs (or is that 4 people over there?). And I might be imagining it but are there more birds around than usual? Queued up to go into Coles, tried not to feel too smug that for once I didn’t have the check the toilet paper isle. To do: work from home (reports, call backs), set up old sewing machine and do two decades worth of mending, inspire adult children to get off Netflix and do some stuff to help around the house.
15 April, Berlin
Antoanetta Marinov
My lock down, was voluntary at the beginning (March 13th.) I couldn't but imitate the restriction of my friends and family in Italy (I remember crying when reading about the certifications that they had to write in order to live home. The news from home are always packed in humorous sentences, the core though of the news is upsetting). Eventually some behaviour-rules were formulated in Berlin too and I felt less "strange" with my self imposed Corona precautions.
The thing I like about this period is that I can work undisturbed as an artist, that I "naturally" structure the day with my son (wake up around 9:30) and that the sky is silent. No airplanes. That's a blessing.
Strangely we are experiencing extraordinary nice weather in Berlin. The sky is very often clear blue! Yes, more birds songs, lots of people taking walks to the park - and back.
Unfortunately I've developed a tinnitus-like brumming in my ears. Unfortunately the social distancing coincided with my distancing from my partner. Since the restrictions have begun we are two "apartments", This means personal and world story stress for me.
Antoanetta Marinov
My lock down, was voluntary at the beginning (March 13th.) I couldn't but imitate the restriction of my friends and family in Italy (I remember crying when reading about the certifications that they had to write in order to live home. The news from home are always packed in humorous sentences, the core though of the news is upsetting). Eventually some behaviour-rules were formulated in Berlin too and I felt less "strange" with my self imposed Corona precautions.
The thing I like about this period is that I can work undisturbed as an artist, that I "naturally" structure the day with my son (wake up around 9:30) and that the sky is silent. No airplanes. That's a blessing.
Strangely we are experiencing extraordinary nice weather in Berlin. The sky is very often clear blue! Yes, more birds songs, lots of people taking walks to the park - and back.
Unfortunately I've developed a tinnitus-like brumming in my ears. Unfortunately the social distancing coincided with my distancing from my partner. Since the restrictions have begun we are two "apartments", This means personal and world story stress for me.
12 April, Sydney
Penelope Cain
Easter Monday, and its been sunny for a few days.
Went to the oval in the morning and it was busy with earnest exercisers. One man had brought down some gear to do a routine- mat, weights and even an exercise bike. Cant imagine how he manhandled it from a car to the oval- he must be stronger than he looked.
My father has been sick in hospital with a gastro condition, but visitors are restricted to one visitor once a day, so my mother goes in and my sister and I skype him. There are security guards with lists and sign in sheets at every hospital entrance. And hand sanitisier everywhere.
To do list: Finish editing that video. Shout less. finish repairing the pink shirt. Sit in the sun. Spend less time on social media. 50% chance of success.
Penelope Cain
Easter Monday, and its been sunny for a few days.
Went to the oval in the morning and it was busy with earnest exercisers. One man had brought down some gear to do a routine- mat, weights and even an exercise bike. Cant imagine how he manhandled it from a car to the oval- he must be stronger than he looked.
My father has been sick in hospital with a gastro condition, but visitors are restricted to one visitor once a day, so my mother goes in and my sister and I skype him. There are security guards with lists and sign in sheets at every hospital entrance. And hand sanitisier everywhere.
To do list: Finish editing that video. Shout less. finish repairing the pink shirt. Sit in the sun. Spend less time on social media. 50% chance of success.
