On the subject of collages, here’s a few I made from photos of shops and businesses with covid related notices in their windows around the city of Norwich, where I live.
I find it interesting how the notices indicate the various approaches people have had in dealing with the pandemic, ultimately leading to lockdown. Not all shops were shut.
Some messages are tinged with regret and frustration and fear for the future. There were some very standard approved messages from chain companies and more personal ones from local businesses.
I think it chronicles how we’ve had to adapt and take the initiative where the government have fallen somewhat short in their leadership through this crisis.
I included messages that weren’t business related in this collection. Of course loads of people are displaying rainbows from their homes, trying to spread some positivity. And then there was some on-point graffitti on some of the walls. It’s interesting to witness the evolution of community, the ways in which people having to accept the temporary end of face to face contact and how we are all adapting to it and what kinds of messages people want to send out.
Apart from the notices there were very few people out and about. And what a varied approach to this new landscape. Some had masks on, some crossed the street to avoid each other and then some seemed barely aware of any risk and approached me for a chat! The rules of social protocol have changed overnight and left many puzzled and bemused.
I’ve lived here almost my entire life and never seen the city like this. I’m really glad I took the opportunity to document this phenomenon.
Alice Bouttell 