Tomas Serrano
Corona Rises, 2020
This piece was created by Spanish artist Tomas Serrano in response to the news of rising Coronavirus cases in New York City. The rising sun, which has been drawn as to look like the Coronavirus itself, rises over New York City, casting a red hue across the buildings. The use of sunlight to depict the virus emphasizes the pervasive, unstoppable spread of the virus, as it affects everything it touches. The closely aligned buildings emphasize the compressed nature of living in NYC and the rising “sun” emphasizes the rising concern and impact of Coronavirus. The virus, in this case, is being depicted as an inescapable part of the lived environment. As many residents of NYC with access to safer housing flee the city, seeking safety in the countryside, this piece stands to highlight the increasing threat of the pandemic, as well as lead the viewer to consider the implications for lower-income residents who cannot escape the compressed environment of the city. Label by Gwyneth McCrae