Afraid to cross enemy lines, I refused photo missions while the Coronavirus War waged outdoors. In the sanctity of my own home, I was horrified to discover spiked coronaviruses contaminating my existing abstract photographs. In my "Quarantine" series, universally relatable, monochrome abstracts represent the human body and air.
Among other things, we see:
• Opportunistic transmission
• Insidious invasion
• Covert replication
• Quarantined prisoners of war
• Heroic counterattacks
Due to the medical theme, these limited-edition prints are on aluminum, resembling surgical steel.
Tap on or hover over an image for the backstory.
Invasion (2019, infected 2020)
Invasion
(was Time Tunnel (2019) before Apr 2020 infection)
Before infection, Time Tunnel was an architectural aspect of a food vendor's decorative awning. Renamed Invasion after infection, the image represents inhalation of three coronaviruses into our nasal passages, mouths or throats. These are common entryways for coronavirus infections. The diminishing perspective of the concentric rings and the graduated sizes of the spherical viruses give the image depth; they make it appear that the invaders are penetrating the passageway. I created Invasion to consider mucus membranes. Did you wash your hands thoroughly before rubbing your nose? Did you use sanitizer before biting your fingernail?
Patient Zero (2018, infected 2020)
Patient Zero
(was Pinched (2018) before Apr 2020 infection)
Before infection, Pinched was an aspect of a sculpture. Renamed Patient Zero after infection, the image represents the first human encounter with a COVID-19 coronavirus. The uninfected abstract was curious and detected no threat from the tiny virus. Compare with Confrontation. Can bad things come in small packages?
Replication (2019, infected 2020)
Replication
(was Fallopian Tubes (2019) before Apr 2020 infection)
Before infection, Fallopian Tubes was an aspect of a puzzle lamp. Renamed Replication after infection, the image represents human organs under assault. Clinicians know that COVID-19 may affect the lungs, heart, brain and testes. Who knows if fallopian tubes will receive sperm or germ? To multiply, viruses use replication, not reproduction. After infiltrating a host, replicating coronaviruses are ready to attack human organs. The spiked spheres are visually harmonious to the rounded forms. I created Replication to consider organ health. Do air hunger, chest pains, diarrhea or confusion indicate viruses running amok inside you? Should you undergo COVID-19 testing?
Cough (Jan 2020, infected Apr 2020)
Cough
(was Tears of a Clown (Jan 2020) before Apr 2020 infection)
Before infection, Tears of a Clown was an aspect of a sculpture. Renamed Cough after infection, the image represents an infected person who coughs and sprays viruses. The pareidolia face (visible if you turn your head a bit to the left) is coughing coronaviruses at us. Is a cougher's mask enough to protect me or do I need to wear one too?
Shelter in Place (2021, infected 2021)
Shelter in Place
(was Orb in Orbit (2021) before Nov 2021 infection)
Before infection, Orb in Orbit was a pearl resting inside a Lucite bangle bracelet. Renamed Shelter in Place after infection, the image represents someone self-quarantining in the safety of their home, while coronaviruses lurk outside. Is COVID-19 causing germaphobia and agoraphobia (fear of leaving home)?
Lock Down (2017, infected 2020)
Lock Down
(was Land Mines (2017) before Apr 2020 infection)
Before infection, Land Mines was an aspect of a shopping cart. Renamed Lock Down after infection, the image shows how fear of COVID-19 infection creates a wall of isolation and quarantine. Cities, states, and even countries have experienced pandemic-related lock downs. The regimented formation of spheres imprisons the visually harmonious oval pattern. The one errant virus is the opening humanity needs to defeat these microbes. I created Lock Down to consider confinement. In the war against COVID-19, are quarantined and locked-down people prisoners of war? Cowards? Martyrs? Heroes?
Fools? Does touch deficit erode humanity? Stunt childhood development?
Confrontation (2018, infected 2020)
Confrontation
(was Sails (2018) before Apr 2020 infection)
Before infection, Sails was an aspect of a moving LED Ferris wheel. Renamed Confrontation after infection, the image shows the uninfected abstract recognizing the enormous threat from the huge/ominous coronavirus. Compare with Patient Zero. Can admitting that the pandemic is real make it go away?
Contact Tracing (2021, infected 2021)
Contact Tracing
(was Glenn Miller's Snake (2021) before Nov 2021 infection)
Before infection, Glenn Miller's Snake was a string of pearls. Renamed Contact Tracing after infection, the image represents people directly and indirectly exposed to COVID-19. Epidemiologists hope to use contact tracing to identify superspreaders. Do you need to self-quarantine or get tested if a close associate has COVID-19?
Counterattack (2017, infected 2020)
Counterattack
(was Bombs Bursting in Air (2017) before Apr 2020 infection)
Before infection, Bombs Bursting in Air was a fireworks display. Renamed Counterattack after infection, the image represents scientific countermeasures against the coronavirus. Disinfectant sprays break down the virus's protective envelope. Vaccine-enhanced immune systems have trained white blood cells that defend against the coronavirus. These two approaches appear as incoming virus-seeking bombs, weapons of viral destruction. The brightness, quantity, and larger size of the arced strikes give hope for victory over the visually harmonious spherical enemy in retreat. I created Counterattack to consider COVID-19 vaccines. Will there be side effects? Will the un-vaccinated be stigmatized? Will the old normal return?
The coronavirus image is from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
