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"6 Feet Apart" Photography Book and Exhibition - 5 years of COVID
Ari Salomon’s "6 Feet Apart" exhibition and book launch marks the fifth anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, inviting reflection on the lasting impact of this global event. This powerful photography series captures the visual language of social distancing, transforming the temporary markers of safety into enduring symbols of collective memory and emotional resonance.
On March 16, 2025, the closing reception and book launch will feature a rich program of artist talks and guest presentations. At 4 PM, Ari Salomon will present a brief artist talk discussing the evolution of the "6 Feet Apart" series and the debut of his new book, "5 Years, 6 Feet Apart". This book offers a reflective journey through the imagery and themes developed over the last five years, exploring the transformation of public space, the fragility of human health, and the emotional landscape shaped by the pandemic.
Following Salomon’s talk, three distinguished speakers will share their insights and responses to the work:
Renny Pritikin, former chief curator of The Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, will read his curatorial essay, The Aesthetics of Peril and Panic, written for 5 Years, 6 Feet Apart. Pritikin’s reflections contextualize the artistic and emotional significance of Salomon’s work within the broader landscape of contemporary art and pandemic memory.
Christopher Lee, a medical epidemiologist focused on global epidemic preparedness and response, will present his essay Lines, Loss, and the Gravity of Time. Drawing from his personal and professional experiences, Lee’s writing offers a poignant reflection on the pandemic’s impact on human connection, grief, and the passage of time.
Meg Shiffler, former Arts Recovery Liaison at San Francisco’s COVID-19 Command Center, will discuss her work bridging the arts community and emergency response efforts during the pandemic. Shiffler’s talk will provide valuable context on the intersection of public health and cultural resilience, highlighting the essential role of artists in times of crisis.
The "6 Feet Apart" exhibition has been widely recognized for its innovative approach and emotional depth. Featuring a diverse array of installations — including concrete sculptures, murals, framed and unframed photographs, site-specific works on windows and floors, and publications — the exhibition captures the evolving visual and psychological landscape of the pandemic. Through layered metaphors of transformation, scientific inquiry, and emotional upheaval, Salomon’s work invites viewers to reflect on both collective and personal responses to uncertainty and change.
The series has been exhibited internationally, with solo shows at the Head On Photo Festival in Sydney and Transmission Gallery in Oakland, and has been featured in prominent publications like Lenscratch and Fraction Magazine. These accolades underscore the broad resonance and significance of Salomon’s exploration of pandemic-era marks and their enduring meanings.
As the exhibition concludes, the book "5 Years, 6 Feet Apart" offers a lasting document of this powerful body of work, preserving its visual and thematic inquiries for future reflection. Through his conceptual approach to street photography, Salomon reinterprets familiar public spaces with a focus on the ephemeral, the symbolic, and the deeply human.
The closing reception and book launch promise an engaging and thought-provoking afternoon, bringing together artists, curators, and medical professionals to reflect on the pandemic’s ongoing impact through art, memory, and shared experience. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Salomon and his collaborators and to experience the culmination of "6 Feet Apart."
Event Links
Facebook: https://go.evvnt.com/2940839-0
