Exteriors and Interiors of a Pandemic
This series is in the form of a photographic journal, begun in late February 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic spread rapidly and made its way toward the Big Apple. Soon, I found myself documenting its impact on the landscape of New York City. It was truly shocking to ride my bike from my apartment in the Bronx to Times Square, then on to Brooklyn, and witness the once-bustling streets eerily deserted. After all, this is the city that never sleeps.
Photographing in these conditions felt as if Henri Cartier-Bresson’s concept of The Decisive Moment had all but disappeared. Or perhaps, the emptiness itself—brought on by lockdowns—had become The Decisive Moment. And we were about to discover just how decisive this time would be.
Soon after, in the wake of the health crisis and the staggering loss of life, came the uprising against racism. At the height of the pandemic, as many as 26 million people in the U.S. took to the streets to protest the murder of George Floyd and police brutality. In this series of images, the pandemic and the anti-racist rebellion became intertwined—inseparable. And for good reason: I believe we will look back at this era through this dual lens—a time of profound crisis and a moment of powerful resistance against government inaction and institutionalized racism.
As travel restrictions were lifted, the series expanded—not only geographically but also in perspective. I was able to photograph in San Juan in Puerto Rico, as well as in Mexico City and later in Oaxaca. There, I observed people navigating the pandemic and embracing life with remarkable resilience.
Ultimately, these images are an homage to New York City. I revisited the subway stations, streets, and parks of my home for 31 years—not only seeking solace during the lockdowns but also rediscovering the city itself. The lockdown forced New York to grind to a halt. The rat-race was suspended, and for once, there was time to stop, to look, and to truly see the city.
