As NIU and the world around us deals with a global pandemic, artists continue to find ways to express themselves. In the College of Visual and Performing arts the learning and teaching hasn’t stopped, it’s simply evolved to meet the needs and limitations of the situation. Over the coming days, we’ll be featuring how NIU students, alumni and faculty in the arts are continuing to do what they love.
Danielle Koenig
Major: BFA, Design and Media Arts – Photography
Year: Senior
Hometown: Dixon, Ill.
“Our communities are filled with people that keep our way of life functioning day in and day out. Throughout COVID-19 there has been a shift in how we view various occupations; some previously considered insignificant to our economy and sense of normalcy have become professions on which we depend: our local grocery store employee, mechanic, truck driver, and others. Some professions that our society previously viewed as essential are highlighted more than ever as being necessary to the safety, health, and survival of our communities. As a society we tend to forget how important these people are to our community and our sense of normalcy. This series consists of portraits of essential workers in my, and the neighboring, area.
I created this work to start a discussion surrounding the definition of essential workers and how that may have shifted their view on topics that often involve pay and economic importance during this pandemic. I also wanted to create this work to highlight their importance to our communities and way of life. While photographing these people I found commonality between them, most were surprised and appeared genuinely happy to help and be thought of as essential. I often heard the statement “well I don’t know how essential I am”, which made me wonder how we could undervalue people in the workforce to the point they don’t see themselves as being important. Most of these images include people that are smiling. I feel that was due to the recognition that there are people who find them important and worthy of value, especially in this climate of uncertainty.
This series of portraits was created using digital imagery and natural light. I primarily focused on smaller businesses’ due to their willingness to be photographed. Pictured are family and friends, people to whom I was introduced, and people I didn’t know but approached in the hope they would agree to be featured in my work.”
Gallery
“Creating this work has helped me get through this pandemic by reminding me that I’m not alone in this and everyday people in my family, friends, and community are navigating this the best way we can. It’s important to connect, be kind, respect and show appreciation for others in a time where tensions and uncertainties are high and as a photographer, I wanted to create work to show my appreciation for essential workers.”
Are you a student, alumni or faculty member in the NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts with video of yourself performing or creating, or photos of a finished product? Use this form to share it with us.
