COVID-19: THINKING WITH ART

The covid-19 pandemic began as a health crisis but spread just as rapidly as an economic, political, and social crisis of global proportions. On a daily basis, we can monitor the decline in statistical indicators that point to social well-being, and we are less aware of the stories of individuals and their psychological distress. The closure of social life and restrictive measures play an important role in controlling the spread of the virus, but on the other hand they burden people and negatively affect their mental health. Restricted movement, social isolation, fear of infection, concerns about financial security, work at home, loneliness, limited opportunities for sports and cultural activities, mistrust in vaccination are stressful for every individual. In addition to the elderly, children and adolescents are particularly burdened here, having to suddenly and unpreparedly face distance learning, loss of peer contact, lack of personal space and other frustrations.

The rapid development of events, aware of all the threats posed by the covid-19 pandemic, not only dictates a demand for the activation of all scientific potentials, but also calls for a response to art. Art can help alleviate personal mental distress at this time, but it can also help to raise awareness of the seriousness of social conditions and to take active social action.

I am a clinical psychologist by profession and therefore I am closely monitoring the changes and consequences that occur in the mental and social life of people during a pandemic. In addition to offering professional help to individuals, I also remain active as an artist. I try to present the various problems, issues and dilemmas that people face through the photographic medium, not using documentary photography, but rather staying at home and with the help of the props I have on hand and family members helping me as models, I create images that speak for themselves.

Transmission

Searching for

Spring Rain

Day in Isolation

Distance education

(Dis)Connected

Loneliness

Love

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OI 2021

Three Wise Monkeys

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Vaccine

Pro et Contra

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https://matejpeljhan.com/

All images copyright and courtesy of Matej Peljhan

Art, Creativity, Culture, Identity, Photography