12 Striking photographs of New York during the pandemic

Experience pandemic-era New York through the lens of acclaimed actress and photographer, Jessica Lange, with this selection of captivating photographs from her new book Dérive

Between November, 2020, and May, 2021, New York felt like a ghost town. Like much of the world at the time, it was in a state of lockdown due to Covid-19. Shops were closed, streets were empty.

Jessica Lange, an award-winning actress known for appearances in Grey Gardens and American Horror Story, captured these enthralling images of a city in lockdown on her Leica camera. Inspired by French philosopher Guy Debord’s landmark text, Theory of the Dérive, she would set out with no particular purpose or destination in mind, simply observing the world and capturing on camera that which compelled her.

From this came her new photography collection, Dérive, in which themes of loneliness, perserverance and hope are explored. Below are 12 striking photographs of New York during the pandemic.

A man and a woman sit on a bench in a park.

An empty carousel in a New York funfair.

A busker plays an intstrument underneath a bridge. No audience is visible.

A security guard stands outside a building but there is no queue to go in.

A man walks along the street. Many of the photographs in the collection feature perfectly poised individuals contrasting with empty streets.

An empty diner.

Lange's photography invites questions about the meaning of commerce. Here, a sign says a venue is open, but for what? Who is it open to if no one is coming? In the introduction to the collection, writer Hilton Als comments, "We can no longer consume with impunity here."

A man sits on a bench on an empty bridge.

A man sits on a step with his bicycle.

A woman stands on a bridge.

Graffiti becomes a symbol of hope and defiance for Lange.

A man sells fish at a fishmongers. The sign on the window reads: "Attention Gov. Cuomo!!! You're killing our businesses. Our families need to eat. Our employees need to work. #ReopenNY #SmallBusinessUnite."

Photos taken from Jessica Lange's collection Dérive, published by powerHouse Books. You can purchase the book here.

12 Striking photographs of New York during the pandemic

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