Atlas of Everyday X

Atlas Everyday X was a lo-fi photographic project recording the everyday archaeological ephemera of the COVID-19 pandemic through a focus on social distancing floor-marks. Reflecting on how our encounters have been reshaped by new negotiations around space and bodily engagement, it was also intended to provide an opportunity for physically disparate individuals to come together virtually and share our current experience. Part contemporary archaeology, part collaborative artwork, and part ongoing research into inscription practices, the Atlas invited us to reframe the signs of staying apart into a different way to connect. Participants were invited to contribute their photographs of these notations and gestures to a dedicated Instagram account @atlas_everydayx for the duration of FestivalCHAT 2020. Along with the image, the Atlas sought a brief description of the location in order to chart global nature of the project (e.g. a café near Trafalgar Square, London, UK). As the curator of this project I selected images from those sent to me, as well as my own images of this phenomena, to feature in daily updates.