Unboxing 2: Remix

 

All Images: October 2020

...And then, this happened.

Unboxing 2

All Images: October 2020

I had to order more...

 

Viral Communication 2

 

All Images: October 2020

Here's another batch of pandemic-related signage, and related material, encountered in the workplace.  As what we must now refer to as 'the second wave' breaks over us here in Britain (and, indeed - in many other locales), the limits and restrictions on everyday life contort themselves into an increasingly confusing profusion of configurations.  Generally, they seem belatedly reactive, and beset by the kind of all-to-human compromise that must surely be of little use in the face of a highly efficient (and by its very nature - disinterested) virus.

I have no doubt that the suppression of many of our perceived 'freedoms' can play a major role in suppressing the spread of Covid-19.  The resulting effects of a reasonably comprehensive, and moderately well-adhered-to (if slightly tardy) lockdown, earlier in the year, certainly seem to endorse that.  However, as the whole sorry affair drags on, crisis-fatigue ramps up, and 'miracle' cures and quick-fixes prove predictably elusive, the waters of pure, mechanistic science, and practically-focussed expediency are muddied by competing narratives.  A fear that the economic or societal side-effects might be worse than the disease itself grows.  Individual fight-or-flight responses begin to outweigh any sense of the communal good.  Cynicism, conspiracy theorising, and possibly understandable paranoia ('one rule for us - another for them'; who is already seizing power/wealth?; how much of our customary liberty will be restored, etc.) all proliferate.  Any scope for concerted, coherent action, and its implementation by consent, is further compromised.

As ever - nothing is simple, and Cock-up Theory (always my favourite of the theories) holds sway.  'Defeating' the virus (or, as I suspect is more likely, adapting sufficiently - in order to manage it as just another existential threat with which we all live) will require a variety of negotiations.  Not least amongst these will be some consensus over acceptable risk levels, over what constitutes personal or shared freedom (and how much might be sacrificial).  Equally desirable could be some consideration of what exactly is meant by this 'normal' so many are so desperate to return to, and just how desirable its unchanged restoration might really be. And, while we're at it - a little clear-eyed honesty about the vagaries of human behaviour, and less denial about certain, inconvenient Darwinian or ecological truths, probably wouldn't hurt either.

One thing I do know is that the effective untangling of all of that is far beyond the scope of this little blog.  For now, the challenge is to live each day as crisis or neurosis-free as is achievable, and to remain constructively engaged and informed by whatever meaningful information might seep through the cracks.  No real change there, then - in other words.  The maintenance of creative activity is clearly integral to that - for me, at least.  And with that goes the inevitable (and doubtless - perplexingly nerdy) cataloguing of clues and signifiers.  Hence - this post.

As already highlighted in my first survey of such material, the current crisis comes with an ever-expanding array of associated graphics - ranging from the purely functional, to the deliciously emblematic.  Indeed, such stuff appears to proliferate at a rate exceeded only by the pathogen itself.  The examples here continue to reflect the need to coax, direct, prohibit, inform or otherwise crowd-manage within an educational environment.  I have yet to conduct a survey of how much of the information is routinely studied or internally digested.  Many of these are pleasing examples I have encountered recently, whilst venturing trepidatiously into a different  'bubble'/building from that in which I routinely work.  Others are clearly designed to set the scene, and possibly reassure arriving visitors at 'front of house'.  On visual and formal grounds alone, I find the ad-hoc and festooned hazard markings on the outdoor benches especially pleasing.

Enjoy, and stay safe.

Unboxing 1

 

All Images: October 2020

Cardboard boxes aren't currently as prevalent in my work as they were a couple of years back, but I still recognise a good one when I see it.  This little gem (and its slightly larger companion) passed through my hands, following a recent delivery, as part of my school-based day job.

Admittedly, it may seem terminally anoraky (and perhaps - characteristically Technicianly) to get so enthusiastic about such a quotidian subject.  But honestly, who could deny the beauty of its formal geometry, or the delicious juxtaposition of raw, brown cardboard against bold red & white graphics?  We even get quasi-hazard stripes and warning messages, into the bargain.

   

'Nuff said? - Thought so.

Viral Communication 1

 

All Images: Rushey Mead Academy, Northeast Leicester, September 2020

Summer turns the corner into Autumn, and it seems we're sliding deeper once more into the Covid-19 emergency - both at home and abroad.  A couple of months of comparative relaxation (which somewhat passed us by - here in Leicester) are now forgotten, as we all enter a second phase of localised lock-downs and increasingly draconian regulations.

It's also possible to detect a greater sense of unease, and possibly even unrest, brewing around the official responses to what was surely an inevitable result of Summer's ease (this is still a disinterested, impartial virus we're dealing with - after all).  Anger, disillusionment, despair and denial increasingly replace that favourite old British delusion, 'The Spirit of The Blitz', as chosen responses - and a clutching onto increasingly preposterous conspiracy theories takes over from communality or shared responsibility, in many quarters.  Stoicism or reasoned responses begin to fray - giving way to finger-pointing and blame-seeking instead.  Essentially, the novelty has worn off.  The deeper implications of what may yet represent a major paradigm-shift for humanity, feel harder to escape - as shadows lengthen and temperatures drop.  The all-too-familiar fight-or-flight aspects of human behaviour kick-in accordingly.

Thankfully, here in what remains the comparatively insulated and supine (albeit - spectacularly misgoverned) UK, something passing for 'normal', everyday existence still persists on many fronts (for now).  Widespread societal collapse is held in reserve for another day.  And that's not least the case in schools - where I continue to earn my daily bread.  In a new world of 'Bubbles', hand gel dispensers, segregated premises, novel-length Risk Assessments, and online video-lessons, the struggle to provide something resembling a viable educational 'offer' continues, despite numerous obstacles (and not always unsuccessfully - if we are to be even-handed).

One of the inescapable visual clues to all this, is the rash of new signs, graphics, hazard markings and temporary barriers which now adorn our school environment.  As a long-time collector of such deliciously petty H&S-related signifiers, it would be remiss of me to leave this specialised new sub-category undocumented.  In reality, I've been speculating (without much inspiration) about what might constitute an adequate artistic response to our current pickle, for some time.  Maybe this stuff offers some kind of pleasingly emblematic way in - and one that also aligns pretty well with certain pre-existing enthusiasms.  If nothing else, it has the advantage of being right under my nose - whilst also ticking that all-important 'Everyday' box.

Hence - what may well become the first in yet another mini-series of Urban Text-related posts, on a highly topical theme.