A Reflection on Connections
When the first order of quarantine came over the news, I, like many people, felt fear and anxiety. As the apprehension subsided, and despite the burdens of separation, loss and loneliness, I experienced a flickering radiance of possibilities. My focus shifted from social detachment to connection. I forged connections both within myself and with other people--not in spite of, but because of the pandemic. As the pandemic continued, and the strangely satisfying benefits of this ostensibly oppressive situation dawned on me, I wondered about the universality of this positive outcome. Was I the only one experiencing growth during this time? Could it be that the limitations of our exposure to vast numbers of people and the dwindling list of quotidian demands actually settled people into not just a new normal but an improved version of living?
I began my search for answers on social media. People embraced the idea to share their stories--stories of loss and struggle, but amidst the chaos and burden of fear, emerged hope and the possibility--of new beginnings. I met the families on their porches. As they posed themselves, their comportment spoke of the strength of connection, love, and community. Covid’sEnd documents the evolution of the population as a result of a global pandemic. I use family photos to explore the outcomes of isolation, with a focus on connections. This series serves not only as a documentation, but also a celebration of our experiences; a tapestry of narratives woven from connections, the connections of our bubbles, our families, our neighborhoods, and our communities. In these connections, we will find a reflection of ourselves, a reflection of our strength in gathering, a reflection of our survival through connections in the face of a world-wide challenge to both our health and humanity.
