My New Normal
by K. Flo Razowsky from New York, NY
My New Normal is an emotional and psychological journey through our new reality since the start of COVID-19 in New York City. Using black and white, high contrast and, often, slow shutter speed, this work reflects the shifting dynamics through which we are living and aims to capture the internal tensions that I, and likely many of us, are experiencing.
In mid-March 2020, we suddenly found ourselves living in a world that leaves former activities we thought little about, such as visiting friends, walking outside or grocery shopping, fraught with invisible danger. Living alone when the pandemic hit, my life abruptly became one of extreme solitude, both inside my home and out in the world. And, as we have long passed 90 days since the start of the pandemic in New York City, with phase two of reopening happening locally as case numbers spike nationally, we are seemingly only at the beginning of this new global experience.
Generally, I point my camera outward to hold a mirror up to the world, but as our global identity shifts, I’ve placed myself inside my work like never before. We’ve all been pushed into this unexpected together and, I think, are looking for ways to feel less alone with our inner turmoil. I began My New Normal to help myself process this unexpected situation, and hope that by visualizing this uncertainty, I can help offer an expression for our startling new common experience.
