With Melbourne in lockdown and the consequent de-peopling of the city, I have developed a heightened awareness of messaging from strangers, unknowns, equals, about how we are being affected by these isolating times.
Like sending a radio beam into the wide expanse of the universe, or putting a message in a bottle and throwing it over the side of a ship whilst at sea, these messages are sent without knowing who might receive them, or whether they will be received at all, but they are messages nevertheless and sent with the intent that they be shared.
During these pandemic times, Melbourne’s graffiterati send out such messages which reveal that our individual fears are also our collective fears. I feel connected to people whom I have never met but with whom I share such fears and, by virtue of our now-shared fears, they are lessened.
My daily walk to the markets is now a journey through the laneways of our shared emotions.
riableathman.com 