Gscene Magazine - June 2020 100 MEN IN QUARANTINE

@gianorso - ITALY

100 MEN IN QUARANTINE

Manel Ortega carried out his last photoshoot in his Brighton studio just a couple of days before lockdown hit, but that inspired a whole new concept – 100 Men in Quarantine

@eddiemizake - SPAIN

As we entered lockdown I knew I had thousands of photos to edit, which would keep me occupied. I was also keen to chronicle the experience of isolation from a range of perspectives.

I’ve been reflecting on my own experience of lockdown with my partner, Ross. I’ve always loved to collaborate. In fact, I view every photoshoot as a collaboration. Over my years as a photographer I’ve also strived to capture the essence and self-expression of each person. Looking back at my body of work, it does capture and chronicle the evolving experience of the gay male over time, particularly along the themes of selfexpression, freedom, confidence, acceptance and body image.

@s_i_n_i_x - BRIGHTON

More broadly, in my work over the past couple of years I have launched a fine art photography magazine called MANOLOmagazine, which presents my own fine art photography and a curated collection of work from artists in a variety of media. I’ve also developed MANOLOzine, which is shorter and presents my work alongside one invited artist. ISOLATION is the first project in my new adventure, MANOLOchronicle. It’s the new addition to the House of Manolo, which is the new, overarching brand for my complete body of work. In this project I cannot take photos, so why can’t they take them themselves? I’ve called upon my existing network and expanded it to give my subject full creative freedom to express their experience of lockdown and isolation in a way that captures this period for them.

@online persona - AUSTRALIA

Interestingly I’m not taking the photos – I’ve asked my collaborators to take a photograph or ask their partners or flatmates to capture an image. Similarly in their writing, I’ve encouraged people to express their experience, in their first language. The project is still evolving and I’ve received a phenomenal response. I’m really excited by what’s emerging. I was thinking initially it would be 100+1 (the one being me) – but the response has already exceeded this. I already have more than the 100 I was thinking of at the moment, about 300, but half of them still have to send the photos. I'm going to split the project into three issues because of that amount of people. I'm very impressed with the creativity and how brave the images are that some of the guys sent.

GORKA- ARGENTINA

The project is global – I’ve had contributions from Brighton, across the UK and as far afield as Russia, China, Japan and Australia. It’s still evolving – I’m approaching more people and also receiving contributions on a daily basis. And it’s not just photos. People have expressed their experience through beautiful writing and illustration too.

@x-xyyyylem - CHILE

My collaborators will appreciate that they’re contributing to a chronicle of a unique time in the experience of the gay male, providing insights into their experience of the human condition, strength and vulnerability during Covid-19. My plan is to curate the contributions to form a series of digital chronicles, like an online magazine, which will likely be printed in the future. The most exciting part of the project is that I will design and produce a high-quality coffee table art book, via a kickstarter campaign.

@paulbaileyboulon - USA

I’m open to any other opportunities such as an exhibition. Those taking part will know that they have contributed to an artistic chronicle of a unique time in our history. I’ve discovered that people are willing to express their experience in an honest, open and vulnerable way. I love the way people have interpreted the project – some have sent their social media or dating photos, others have unleashed their creativity and everyone has reflected their own unique experience.

MORE INFO

I Instagram @manelortega I Instagram @manolozine D www.manolozine.com