Behind the Pandemic (2020)

Rosna Sachdev

Behind the Pandemic (2020) a video piece about the pandemic mimicking the characteristics of an archive highlighting important news, events and consequences, both bad and good that have occurred in relation to these Covid times. The topics selected are ones that can often be overshadowed by fear of contracting the virus and the numbers associated with it. In this piece, the mask is used as a canvas of painted images and words which are viewed through the revelation of the creases. This technique is used to reveal an extension of each drawing or a word that was hidden holding importance during this current climate. The topics range from destructive management systems (politically and individually), the environmental impact single use masks have to displaying innovative processes that have allowed us to stay busy and sustain an aspect of our ‘old’ daily lives (e.g., online learning, food delivery services). The tedious action of wearing a mask and taking it off is used to produce a narrative in direct relation to the pandemic.