Picture this – project to record the experience of lockdown
DETERMINED Londoners are refusing to let the fight against cancer falter in these unprecedented times, by doing Race for Life – at home.
Organisers Cancer Research UK have postponed public Race for Life events for this spring and summer to protect the country’s health during the coronavirus outbreak.
But as lockdown continues, women and men are already vowing to carry on and complete a Race for Life challenge at home, in their garden or their nearest green space.
Lynn Daly, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for London, said: “At a time when it feels like everything’s at a standstill, there is one thing that hasn’t stopped - cancer.
“Our priority as a charity is ensuring people affected by cancer are getting the support they need right now. But we are already getting people asking about doing Race for Life at Home this spring because they don’t want to see the charity lose out on vital funding and because they feel that the fight against cancer shouldn’t stop for anything – even coronavirus. It’s truly humbling to see the response.
“So we’d love for supporters to join us and Race for Life at Home in these challenging times. From a walk, jog or run or 5K around the garden to limbo in the living room, there is no wrong way to Race for Life at Home.
HISTORIC England is calling on people across London to share images that document their experience of seven days in “Lockdown”.
Ten contemporary artists from across the nation, including two based in London* have also been chosen to produce special images over the week.
From rainbows in windows and star jumps on balconies, to explorations of your local area, Historic England is asking people in London to share images via their website that show how we are all facing the challenges of lockdown, self-isolation and social distancing.
Running from Wednesday 29th April to Tuesday 5th May, the aim of the #PicturingLockdown project is to create a unique and reflective record of a week across the nation during this extraordinary moment in history. Historic England wants to spark a conversation about identity and its connection to history and place.
Claudia Kenyatta, Head of
With no entry fee, people might choose to twerk, limbo, star jump, squat, skip, dance, or come up with their own novel way of taking part and share it with friends. The message is very much that ‘while we might be apart, we’re doing this together’. There is no wrong way to get involved and join our community.
“Those lucky enough to have a garden may choose to make use of it but whatever people decide to do, we are immensely grateful for the support, now more than ever. We could be looking at thousands of people stepping forward to Race for Life at Home and perhaps making a donation to do so.”
Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life, in partnership with Tesco, is an inspiring series of 5K, 10K, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.
Regions at Historic England said: “We are facing one of the most extraordinary moments in living memory. During this time of necessary lockdown restrictions, we are asking the public and some of our most talented contemporary artists to help us record history, whilst being careful to abide by the government’s social distancing measures.
“We want people to show us their experiences of lockdown, how places local to them have transformed, communities have come together, and life has changed for us all. These challenging times are encouraging us all to pause and reflect upon our relationship with our surroundings. We hope this project inspires creativity and reflection, allowing the public to create a unique time capsule for the future.”
100 of the images submitted by the public and artists will be chosen to enter the Historic England Archive
Thanks to the generosity of Londoners, participants last year raised £2.7m to support vital research to develop gentler and more effective treatments for cancer – a disease that will affect one-in-two people in to provide a record for the future.
Of the submissions from the public, the 50 most evocative, informative and inspiring images will combine with 50 works from ten contemporary artists into a Collection. These will be catalogued by the Historic England Archive and will be made freely accessible online.
This is the first time the public have been asked to capture a moment in time and save it in the Historic England Archive of over 12 million photographs since the Second World War.
The ten contemporary artists Historic England has also asked to take part in the project are based across the country.
The two artists are based in London are:
Polly Braden who features an on-going conversation between the people she photographs and the environment in which they find the UK at some stage in their lives.
Many of the scientists and researchers funded by Cancer Research UK are currently being redeployed to help in the fight against Covid19, including assisting with testing. By helping to beat coronavirus, the charity can lessen the impact that it is having on the care of cancer patients.
People can visit raceforlife.org and sign up free for ideas on how they can create their own Race for Life at Home challenge. And the Cancer Research UK Race for Life Facebook page will help people feel energised with weekly live workout sessions.
Organisers are also inviting participants to join the Race for Life at Home community by sharing photos and videos on social media using the hashtag, #RaceForLifeAtHome.
Cancer Research UK would love to see people sharing photos and videos of their ‘at home’ experiences. themselves.
Highlighting the small, often unconscious gestures of her subjects, Polly particularly enjoys longterm, in depth collaborations that in turn lends her photographs a unique, quiet intimacy.
Roy Mehta is a well-established photographic artist with thirty years of professional experience working on personal and commercial projects.
Every hour four people are diagnosed with cancer in London*. But the good news is more people are surviving the disease now than ever before. Cancer survival in the UK has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.
Lynn added: “Cancer is still happening right now and we want to do everything we can to help give people more tomorrows with their loved ones.
“At a time when we’re having to keep apart from each other, there is still a way to unite. We’re urging everyone who has supported Race for Life in the past to please continue supporting us. Sadly, cancer touches almost every family at some time.
“Race for Life is a hugely moving experience as people remember loved ones lost to cancer, celebrate the lives of those dear to them who have survived or support those going through treatment.
“We encourage those choosing to Race for Life at Home to participate in whatever way they like – there are lots of ideas on the Race for Life website. We appreciate that the current situation has resulted in financial uncertainty for many people, so people should only contribute sponsor money if they feel able to.”
Visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770. Join in and share with #RaceforLifeAtHome
His work encapsulates the complexity of identity and belonging and is regularly exhibited in the UK and abroad.
Before Covid-19, a retrospective exhibition of his work was commissioned for Brentford Borough of Culture 2020.
Historic England is asking the public to keep to social distancing measures and stay local when taking part in this project.