The pandemic, a virus outbreak, started in Wuhan, China. Istanbul, 7,500 kilometers away, got it 101 days later. According to official figures, it caused the death of 101,492 people in Turkey and 6,660,687 people worldwide. The magnitude of loss and pain deepens when we cease to view deaths merely as statistics. However, the societal implications of the pandemic far exceed this. Looking back at these events once they're over, we'll see the full extent of the disaster and its impact on today.
The epidemic in Turkey led to important decisions that impacted society, economy, politics, and more. Yet, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that artists, especially musicians, bore the brunt of the restrictions that began with the pandemic. These prohibitions commenced on April 11, 2020, and lasted until July 1, 2021. In this interval, while many establishments opened and closed, concert halls remained shut. Music restrictions post-midnight persisted until the latter half of 2023. As of May 22, 2021, 103 musicians had tragically taken their own lives. Thousands were compelled to sell their instruments, their primary source of income. The exact number of musicians who lost their jobs or careers remains uncertain. For the sake of remembrance, we’ve chronicled all the preventive measures at the end of the book.
To offer an unbiased perspective, this era was not universally bleak for all artists. Many amongst my acquaintances thrived and paved new avenues for themselves. However, it warrants introspection to determine how adequately we, as a community, supported those in distress. It’s evident that they weren’t the state’s priority, but it’s uncertain how much we personally contributed during this time. Aphasia is a condition where a person gradually loses the ability to comprehend or articulate speech. Drawing parallels with the pandemic’s conclusion, I equate our societal divisions to an exchange between two aphasic individuals. We might engage in conversation, sometimes listen hazily, continue speaking, yet neither our words nor the comprehension carries genuine essence. In moments like these, I believe the most profound action is to imprint the future. That’s precisely why I cherish photography. During a time when photography was losing its documentary essence, I aim to impartially chronicle this period. My goal is to capture the stories and experiences of artists in the pandemic's darkest days. My hope is to leave an indelible mark in history, ensuring this chapter is not forgotten by those who possess this book.
In conclusion, the essence of this book isn’t merely the photographs, but the artists captured within them. I want to thank everyone who welcomed us into their homes and shared their stories during the busiest time of the pandemic.
With love,
Ersin Sahin
Istanbul, 2023
