I keep encountering glimpses of the fact that the world still functions out there. Here we are, confined to our homes for the most part, making limited excursions to buy food and get a minimum of exercise, and discovering new technologies that enable us to stay in touch with people while in isolation. Then suddenly it becomes clear that other people are still functioning out there.
Of course I have been aware of the great efforts made by services such as food suppliers, refuse collectors and postal delivery workers. Perhaps, however, the world is not quite as close to standstill as I had assumed. Three events in particular registered with me today.
I have finished the series of drawings, on which I have been engaged for the past few weeks, dealing with the theme of English identity. My intention is that a small edition of these will be issued as sets of good quality giclee prints. It occurred to me that perhaps it might be possible to talk to the printer in Sowerby Bridge who has done work for me in the past. So I sent an email in the general expectation that there would be a standard response telling me that the business is closed for several weeks because of the danger of contagion. To my surprise I got an immediate response inviting me to ring him in preparation for taking my work over to him next week.
Some time ago I received the news that the deadline for entry to the annual John Moores Painting Prize has been postponed because of the virus, and when I checked into their website anticipating that there would be yet further delays, I discovered that things are working normally, and I was able to register my entry. Encouraged by this, I decided to check out also the situation with the annual Patchings Festival (which accepted one of my pieces last year.) My expectation that there would be postponements there also turned out to be wrong also. I’m still trying to make up my mind in this case as to what I will offer them, but I intend to complete the entry process tomorrow.
Here in my little domestic cocoon it does feel sometimes that the entire world is grinding to a standstill out there, but it seems that I’m wrong. The end of the world as we know it is not quite as close as I had feared.