• Covid Voice Memorial

Focus

The Covid Voice Memorial documents the lives of people who have died in the COVID-19 pandemic, through their voices and remembrances from their loved ones.    

History

Early in the pandemic, there was a crushing double cruelty: the virus causing so many deaths also kept us from gathering to mourn them. So people came up with other ways of grieving together; public memorials were created in the street and online, with names, photos and notes. The memorials were helping do some of the traditional, communal work of mourning: to honor the dead and comfort the living. They also raised a cry against institutional neglect and imperatives to “open back up” even as so many people kept dying. I was moved to participate in that work. As an audio producer/artist, I’m motivated by a conviction that a person’s voice conveys an essential part of them and keeps them close even when they’re gone; and that everyday things in our lives are full of beauty and meaning if given the chance to be seen and heard.

The pandemic is not over and we are still grieving. The Covid Voice Memorial joins in the ongoing community work of mourning and remembrance by inviting people who have lost someone to share a recording of their voice. In hearing them, we can remember that everyone who died was an individual, with a unique voice — that everyone who died lived. 

 Collection

·The project is composed of audio recordings (gathered from voicemails, Zoom recordings, videos, and anything else with their voice on it) of people who have died in the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as audio recordings of their loved ones leaving a message to or memory of them. Accompanying the audio is text about the departed, and a photograph when available.

Please use this form to submit:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ARZHyjPJG7sZs3NXu4tfFmvDmRUq9ZkFY3Rq0a5hStg/edit

 Form of Collection

The materials are primarily audio recordings (with supplementary text and photos). They will be gathered on a website and podcast.

 Emphasis

This project is not specific to any region or group. Anyone who has lost someone in the pandemic is invited to participate.  

Time Period

 The project covers the period of time during which people have died of COVID-19, and is ongoing.

 Public Access

The project will be online and open to the public. (Will update with URL as soon as it’s available.)

Director

 Joe Dobkin, a producer and artist in New York City

Contact Person

Joe Dobkin

covidvoicememorial@gmail.com