As soon as New York City went into lockdown in mid-March, I fled with my boyfriend to his family house in Florida. No longer in my space, my routine, along with the entire world’s, had been disrupted.
I found comfort in the nature, stillness, and silence of American Suburbia. After my daily virtual university lectures, I took walks to clear my mind. Would things ever return to normal?
Like many artists and students, my world has been turned upside down within a matter of weeks. Graduation postponed, exhibitions canceled, classes held remotely, and all within a declining job market that has been named worse than the Great Depression.
‘How do I make the most out of the lockdown?’ seems to be a question that we are constantly asking ourselves, constantly trying to push ourselves to do more, learn more, be better. Breathe. The situation is out of my control. I am doing my best.
My lack of motivation angered me and I needed to feel somewhat productive. Each day I force myself to take at least one photograph, of myself, of those around me or of my surroundings. On my phone or my camera, it doesn’t matter. These images were taken from around mid-March to now.
I returned to New York a few weeks ago in order to finish my studies and clear out my apartment. I feel at home again, even if the city is quieter. This series of images, to me, demonstrates stillness. I, along with the entire world, have been forced to pause and reflect on my life, my relationships, and my future.
https://annabettsphoto.com/