Portraits in the interior of Coronavirus

My project “Portraits in the interior of Coronavirus” documents human history in these tough times. It’s about Russians experiencing a pandemic in various parts of the world — from Moscow to Barcelona and Peru.

In the beginning, many people in my country didn’t believe in COVID-19. Everyone was outside without masks, socializing. When my acquaintances got sick, I decided to document their stories on Facebook. I was staying in, so I took photos online via video technology.

It started with portraits of people with COVID-19. The project evolved to include portraits of doctors, volunteers, people who couldn’t return home due to closed borders, people who couldn’t leave their homes for a long time, newlyweds who married during the pandemic, children who study online, pregnant women unable to postpone giving birth, and so on. These portraits convey a multitude of human stories, intertwined in this global crisis caused by a virus. All stories are personal and short. Like pixels or building blocks, together they form a collective portrait of humanity surviving the era of coronavirus.

Publications:

BBC about the project

Takie Dela — childbirth

Meduza — children and sports online

Lenta — pregnant women

Takie Dela — portraits of doctors of the red zone

Takie Dela — corpsman’s diary

The project has collected more than 70 portraits and stories. Also, it includes screenshots and videos from ССTV cams around the world.

Leonid, 10 years old. Moscow, Russia. May 12, 2020.Leonid invented «swimming on skateboard».In two days, Leonid is turning 11. He will be celebrating it via WhatsApp with his familyand friends. Leonid has been swimming professionally since he was 5 years old. Before quarantine, he had practices 6 times a week, after school. The swimming pool shut down late March. Nowadays Leonid trains at home everyday. His training routine usually consists of morning jog around the house, physicalexercises, and stretching. Each morning he receives new tasks from his trainer. «I wanna swim!» — with these words Leonid finished our conversation.Leonid showed me how he “swims” via video call, he was at home. I asked his mother to show me the room, I chose a location for filming and asked to place the phone in the middle of the room.

Andrey, 42 years old, screenwriter. Moscow, Russia. June 3, 2020.Andrey at his home in Moscow."My wife and I have three children, two weeks before quarantine we stopped taking them to kindergarten. We were afraid of getting sick and washed our hands all the time. When it became clear that there would be quarantine in Moscow, my wife and children flew to Siberia, to my grandmother so that the children had the opportunity to walk. At first I liked not to go to work. I went to the store a couple of times a week, and the rest of the time I worked from home. I had a lot of work. At first I regularly cleaned the apartment, but after a week almost I stopped cleaning. About a month later I started to walk around the house exclusively in underpants and put on something on top only for zoom conferences. That’s very convenient! I really miss my family. "Andrey posed for the portrait via video link, at his usual workplace. I asked to put the phone opposite on the kitchen countertop.

Jay, English teacher, 24 years old, Petrozavodsk, Russia. Date of filming is July 1, 2020. Jay made the transgender transition during the first quarantine.“At the very beginning of the lockdown there was a fear of uncertainty, because I had already started the transition and was afraid that I would not be able to acquire testosterone.I also had an operation planned to remove my breasts and I did not know if I could go to Moscow for an operation due to the pandemic, the main problem was getting there and returning healthy without being infected with covid. But everything worked out. I left the quarantine transformed - my voice got lower, I became stronger and larger, my breasts disappeared, my muscles became more prominent, my face changed.Jay posed for the portrait via video link. He was at his home in Petrazovodsk. I asked to show me the room, chose a location for filming, asked Jay to sit in front of the window and put the phone on the table.

Luka, 16 years old. Fedor, 17 years old. Moscow, Russia. Date of filming May 31, 2020.The picture shows my older children. At the time of filming, we had not see each other for two months, during the lockdown they lived with their father. I missed them very much.Luka says “My brother and I haven't seen my mother for two months. I missed her, despite the video calls and everyday texting. Mom several times sent us freshly baked pies, casseroles and Easter cake. For my birthday, she sent me a birthday cake with candles."My sons posed for a portrait via video communication while in their dad's apartment. I asked to show me the room, chose a location for filming, asked Fedor and Luka to sit on the bed, and put the phone on the windowsill.

Daria, 26 years old, physician. Moscow, Russia. May 23, 2020. Daria after leaving the red zone of the hospital where she works. On Daria's face there is a plaster that she uses so that the protective mask does not rub her face. Daria says: “The hardest thing is when patients die. I would like to hug those who have lost their loved ones or are going through an illness. I can’t even imagine how painful that must be. I wish my colleagues had more energy, and didn’t get overtired. And I wish for a colder summer – not to suffer so much wearing overalls. I would like to support those who are fed up with all this.”Daria posed for a portrait made using the video call program, she was in the hospital, and I was at home. I asked to show me the room, chose a place for filming and asked Daria to put the phone on the side of her on the windowsill.

Sasha, 58 years old, coach, studying to be a gestalt therapist, Russia, Moscow. June 4, 2020. At the time of filming, Sasha had not left the apartment for 67 days. I photographed Sasha after he received the third delivery of groceries during this period.He says: “I live in a rhythm that I like. I perceive isolation as an unexpected chance to devote more time to reflection than before. I feel that the time spent in this retreat has changed me”.Sasha posed for the portrait via video link. I asked to show me the room, chose a place for filming, asked Sasha to lay out the food and put the phone in front of the table.

Oleg Yakovlev, photographer, currently an auxiliary nurse in an intensive care unit of a COVID-19 hospital, 33 years old. Moscow, Russia. May 5, 2020. Oleg is at home on a day off between shifts in the hospital. He works for 24 hours and then rests for the next 48 hours. During a shift, he has three visits to the red zone.Oleg posed for a portrait made using a video communication program, he was at home, and I was at home. I asked to show me the room, chose a location for shooting and asked Oleg to place his phone opposite.

Anna 29 years old, physician in a COVID hospital. Moscow, Russia. We should find balance. The illness is new, we don’t know how to treat it or how to prevent its most critical forms. Older people are at risk, but we still have to work out why do young and healthy people die. Soon COVID-19 will take its place among other illnesses that are just as terrifying and affect many of us every day, but we’re living with that. We will just carry on enjoying our beautiful lives.

Lyudmila, 39 years old. Artist. Moscow, Russia. April 24, 2020. Lyudmila is at a country house with her 4 kids. She says she struggles to concentrate on work as children are together at home, constantly needing to be fed, entertained, and tutored. "We moved to the countryside in mid-March. I can’t imagine what would happen, if all six of us had to spend quarantine in our small two bedroom apartment! I rarely draw, because I lack concentration: as soon as I sit down and arrange my pencils and brushes, my kids run in, pushing each other, stealing pencils, brushes, paints. I can’t even begin to search for a topic, for inspiration. An artist needs to practice permanently, to hone the skill.".Lyudmila and the children posed for the portrait via video communication while at their dacha in the suburbs. I asked to show me the premises of Lyudmila's studio, chose a place for filming, asked Lyudmila to sit at the table, and put the phone opposite it.

Elena Abramovna Kiseleva, 83 years old, PhD in Geology and Minerology, from Moscow, Russia. Now in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Being in an uncertain or illegal position in a foreign country doesn’t make me happy. I can be outraged, scared, worried, and upset – or I can view this situation as an unexpected adventure. After the age of 80 one can definitely do anything. Things will get resolved somehow. Having lived through the war years, when things were really frightening, should I be afraid now?

Olga 34 years old, works in a rehabilitation clinic. New York, USA. Interactions with neighbors give me hope. There they are – the New Yorkers, so strong, ironical, generous, and brave. It’s not the first crisis for the city. We will cope with it. It's hard to lose your loved ones. And it’s hard to witness those losses, to inform a relative about death by phone. But life goes on for those who are alive. It’s our privilege. Now I see with perfect clarity how wonderful it is to live.

Anastasia, 35 years old, photographer, and Sevastian 2 years old. Moscow, Russia. One day before going into labor. I was shooting Nastia’s portrait and she said: «You know, I think I’m going into labor». The next morning she called me and said she was headed to the hospital.

Anastasia, 35 years old, photographer, and newborn daughter Evan. Moscow, Russia. 30 minutes after the delivery. At the moment of actual childbirth Nastia was talking to her husband via WhatsApp.

Tanya, 2,5 years old. Moscow, Russia.Tanya does ballet. She has classes twice a week for 45 minutes — the same as she used to have at the studio, but now online.

Daria, 36 years old, family photographer, and Andrey, translator, 34 years old. Russia Moscow. May 29, 2020. Daria and Andrei temporarily live with their friends.“At the beginning of March, having collected our things, we moved out of a rented apartment to visit friends for a week to wait for a work visa and fly to Belgium for permanent residence. The next day after receiving a visa, the EU closed the borders, and we were forced to stay with friends for an indefinite period. We hoped that the situation would change and we would have the opportunity to fly away. There is still no certainty. It's been three months already. "They posed for a portrait via video communication while in the apartment of friends in the room where the belongings collected for the move were kept. I asked to show me the room, chose a place for filming, asked Daria and Andrey to sit next to their things, and put the phone on the opposite chair.

Portraits in the interior of Coronavirus. Maria Węsławska-Gribina

Leya, 8 years old. Moscow, Russia. April 22, 2020. Leia is at home with her mother and brother, she is training on a skateboard.The skateboard was bought in early March. A trainer was supposed to come twice a week. But then strict self-isolation was announced. Leya never had the chance to try her new skateboard outside. Meanwhile the training started online. Leya dreams of training with her coach Misha at the skate park: «There will be little trampolines!». Leia posed for the portrait via video link. Leia and her family were at home. I asked Leia's mom to show me the room, chose a location for filming, asked to put the phone on the table opposite them.

Dmitry Kostyukov 36 years old, artist, photographer. Paris, France. I felt sick on 28th March with a high temperature and a sore throat. I could hardly walk and felt very weak, dizzy when turning my head. I got sick the first among my colleagues, with whom I worked on the coverage of the coronavirus as a reporting photographer. I was worried that I could spread it to my relatives, that I won’t be able to work. All I did during the illness was sleep. It was hard to focus on anything.

Dasha Sonkina, 33 years old, translator, owner of food production business “Dasha’s Pies”. Moscow, Russia. On 10th April I posted on my Facebook page: “In less than 2 weeks you’ve ordered food for doctors amounting to almost half a million roubles! Two hundred people have given half a million roubles for doctors in two weeks. I just can't believe it! This is crazy, magical. This shows love and boundless respect for those who are now on the front line”.

Andrey, 37 years old. Artist. Moscow, Russia. March 31, 2020. Andrey is in the ward of the covid hospital, and will soon be discharged home.Andrey was one of the first people in Moscow to have a positive Coronavirus test. When he got sick, he couldn’t reach the ambulance, but once he got them on the phone, he was recommended to go to the polyclinic by himself. At the polyclinic all medical staff did not have any means of protection. After the testing he was sent home. The ambulance arrived for Andrey only several days later after the test came back positive. His wife and child went through the virus staying at home. Andrey posed for the portrait via video link. He was in the main сovid hospital in Moscow. I asked him to show me the room, chose a place for filming, asked Andrey to sit in front of the window and put the phone on the side of him on the hospital bedside table.

Denis, 32 years old, DJ. Moscow, Russia. May 1, 2020. Denis is resting at home after a night shift. My friend, DJ, he decided to sign up as an orderly in a department of a Moscow hospital, specializing in COVID treatment. He works for 24 hours and rests for 48. In one day he has 3 exits to the "red zone" for 4 hours with breaks for 4 hours. He gets so exhausted that during the 24 hours of rest he sleeps, and for the other 24 he parties online with his friends.Denis posed for a portrait made using a video call program, he was at home, and I was at home. I asked to show me the room, chose a place for shooting and asked Denis to sit on the bed, putting the phone opposite to the chair.

Yana, a designer from Moscow, now in the Anaro aboriginal commune of the indigenous population. Ashaninka, Kimbiri, Peru. Two weeks ago I came here as a volunteer to teach English to children. I was quarantined as a foreigner, but kids were sneaking into my hut to learn English and Japanese, to get pencils and paper to draw. In their generous gratitude, they gave me coconuts, fruits, and delicious caterpillars. Every day I got fresh flowers in my hair, on the pillow, at the door.

Olya, lives in Barcelona. At the moment of the photoshoot, Olya and her family haven’t been outside their apartment for a long time. 

Anna 34 years old, dermatovenerologist, works in a hospital’s ER. Quarteira, Portugal. May 18, 2020. Anna at the covid hospital at work in one of the wards. Her tasks include receiving patients, taking tests for covid and monitoring patients. I work in 24-hour shifts and see a lot of patients. Our workload increased tremendously; everyone is exhausted. It’s harder to refer patients to specialists - testing negative for COVID-19 seems to be the most important thing. I’m not afraid of getting the virus, but it would be very inconvenient now. My life hasn’t changed much because of the pandemic, but I really want it to be over - so that we could hug and kiss!Anna posed for a portrait taken using a video call program, she was in a hospital in Portugal, and I was at my home in Moscow. I asked to show me the room, chose a place for shooting and asked to place the phone on the window frame, and Anna to stand in front of the window.

“Portrait in the interior of coronavirus” is a series shot by Maria Ionova-Gribina using a webcam. The Moscow photographer worked in cooperation with Russian models and shot where the quarantine found them — from New York to the jungles of Peru.
The coronavirus epidemic is the first time in history that a global village has ended up as a digital concentration camp. Humanity was locked in their homes, but not disconnected from electronic facilities. This is how — for the first time — this model of relationships was implemented in practice that only could be seen before in dystopias and zombie horror movies. Maria found a way of visual expression adequate to that model.
The photographer’s right to invade a model’s personal space is one of the most sensitive issues in contemporary art practice. Maria’s project is a participatory experience in which the participants themselves determined the boundaries of their interaction with the artist. Covid influenced the practice of interpersonal communication, and a new way of photographer-model relationships via Internet became relevant precisely because of the restriction of close communication and physical contact. The new communication norm has also created new opportunities, because distances are no longer important.
The medium is the message, as Marshall McLuhan wrote. The webcam has become one of the main tools for communication in quarantine, a truly universal eye. Maria used this tool to produce photographic images that give an overall picture of what is happening. An integral part of the project is the personal stories of the participants, who translate photographic facts into the language of sociology and psychology. The viewer is confronted with different stories and relationships: forced hospital captivityand voluntary self-isolation, the work of a nurse in the “red zone” and the life of a volunteer away from civilization. From disparate pictures is being composed the Quarantine-2020 mosaic.