I started this photo series with the idea of capturing New York as a real place of autonomy and anonymity, a place of refuge. In the midst of a never-ending pandemic that took a toll on New Yorkers, I sought moments of solitude in the city. From a middle-aged man taking time to do nothing but sit on a bench and think, to elderly people enjoying the sunset on a weird Thanksgiving night, I tried to capture moments of reconnection with oneself. This extraordinary year made me realize that I was craving nothing but ordinary, simple moments. When walking the dog or taking a cigarette break out of the apartment becomes the only reason to step out of home, I felt like it was worth capturing.

More than half of the people I photographed ventured out without their mask, which made me realize that the Covid-19 fatigue is real and settled. It made me sad and concerned for the most vulnerable of us. But when this elderly lady who quickly took her mask out of her pocket to wear it as she noticed that I was photographing her told me, “I can’t wait to throw this mask out forever,” I couldn’t help but smile and agree with her.  

Thanksgiving night. Battery Park City, November 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

Miss New York, Staten Island Ferry. Battery Park City, November 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

A woman reading her kindle with the New Yorker on her lap at Washington Square Park. November 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

Sunset on Thanksgiving night. Battery Park, November 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

A woman sunbathing in Battery Park. November 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

A man crossing Battery Place. November 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

A woman taking a cigarette break. November 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

A man walking his dog, Battery Park. November 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

A moment alone. Washington Square Park, November 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

Battery Park looking west at the Colgate clock in Jersey City. November 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

The post New York City, a place of refuge  appeared first on Pavement Pieces.

“New York looks like a huge construction site today,” said a bystander who was taking photos of boarded up windows on the 5th Avenue. 

On the morning of Election Day, the atmosphere was so calm in the city that we could hear jigsaws cutting plywood boards and hammer blows.  

Retailers, banks and other businesses in the city who feared potential unrest on the night of the election and after, like the Black Live Matters riots in May, decided to take the lead and secure their storefronts. 

“The store’s located in front of the Trump Building so we had to take the necessary action to stay safe,” said a security guard in front of Tiffany & Co, the famous jewelry store on Wall Street.

Three days after the epic Election Night, windows are still protected as the US awaits election results. And if people took the streets in New York to voice their concerns about the ballot counting, no major incidents were reported as of today. 

Workers set up plywood boards on windows on Wall Street ahead of elections on November 3, 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

Workers set up plywood boards on windows at 44 Wall Street ahead of elections on November 3, 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

Workers set up plywood boards on windows on Wall Street ahead of elections. November 3, 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

Skechers on Broadway is boarded up on November 3, 2020 ahead of Election Night. Photo by Edith Rousselot

The Consulate General of the Philippines on 5th Avenue is boarded up ahead of elections. November 3, 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

Workers set up plywood boards on windows on 5th Avenue. November 3, 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

Bystanders stop by the boarded up windows of Versace and Longchamp stores on 5th Avenue. November 3, 2020. Photo by Edith Rousselot

This is a project of Lori Grinker’s graduate photojournalism class.

The post In 2020, Election Day may rhyme with unrest. At least, that’s what officials fear appeared first on Pavement Pieces.