This magazine was created in response to the global shutdown caused by Covid-19 in 2020. Now, a year later, with the pandemic still affecting day to day life, but with an end finally in site, we present a curated collection of works made by artists from around the world, reflecting on a year of quarantine and uncertainty, and looking ahead to the future.
In this issue...
John Taggart
New York, NY
Photograph
I have made a deal with my own mental health to go out and photograph everyday as we head into summer.
Last year at this time, New York City was at the peak of the pandemic. Life before in the spring was at a dead stop. There were very few New Yorkers on the streets or subways. Empty streets ruled the pictures.
Last year at this time, New York City was at the peak of the pandemic. Life before in the spring was at a dead stop. There were very few New Yorkers on the streets or subways. Empty streets ruled the pictures.
Later, in November of 2020, I lost my father to Covid-19. Since then I have looked for hope and a brighter future and absorbed anything positive.
As I sat on the train on my way to Coney Island this cold spring day, I saw a brief moment of a lady looking out the window — a sign of hope. Just a week later the Wonder Wheel opened for the first time since the pandemic started.
- John
As I sat on the train on my way to Coney Island this cold spring day, I saw a brief moment of a lady looking out the window — a sign of hope. Just a week later the Wonder Wheel opened for the first time since the pandemic started.
- John
Kiki Symoné
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Digital Illustrations
In 2020, we faced great challenges, barriers and loss. And when I say we I mean POC (People of Color). In a way, I see it as both a win and a loss. For the first time, in a long time, due to Covid-19, non-black POC are finally being exposed to some of the issues we've been facing all along: systematically higher unemployment rates, fewer job opportunities, lower pay, poorer benefits and greater job instability.
I'm not saying that we all have equal opportunities and rights now...there's still a lot of work that needs to be done, but it took the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many other victims of police brutality this year, PLUS a virus that also killed millions of people, for the world to feel a balance or even a shift of power to create unity.
I'm not saying that we all have equal opportunities and rights now...there's still a lot of work that needs to be done, but it took the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and many other victims of police brutality this year, PLUS a virus that also killed millions of people, for the world to feel a balance or even a shift of power to create unity.
Two of my heroes to emerge so far this year have been Amanda Gorman, who wrote the inspirational poem 'The Hill We Climb' and recited it at President Joe Biden's inauguration, and Kamala Harris. Kamala is keeping the dream alive and standing up for the rights of marginalized people.
When Black women lead, we all win (and I loved loved loved her purple suit!). Cheers to being hopeful and optimistic for the future!
- Kiki
When Black women lead, we all win (and I loved loved loved her purple suit!). Cheers to being hopeful and optimistic for the future!
- Kiki
Danilo Parra
Brooklyn, NY
Painting
This painting is about the on-going discussion of how NFT art affects the environment.
CryptoPunks were some of the first NFTs to reach headlines after some of them sold for millions of dollars, but it wasn't until later on that the artists and buyers realized the environment was so impacted after each digital art piece was sold.
- Danilo
CryptoPunks in the Wild
- Danilo
CryptoPunks in the Wild
Colin Read
Brooklyn, NY
Video
A story about all the new hobbies we started while locked down over the past year, in a search for fulfillment…and their failures.
The short film was commissioned by Adobe as part of their “Pocket Films” series, shot on an iPhone. The goal was to make something that felt accessible to anyone, showing that anybody can be a filmmaker, no matter what tools you have available. (Although we did use some production equipment…as props, to make that point!)
- Colin
HOBBY
- Colin
HOBBY