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ROADMAP PANDEMIC SPRING NOT FORGETTING In March 2
020, just as a global pandemic was becoming a reality, Stoneybatter-based photographer Gregory Dunn unexpectedly found himself back at his childhood hometown of Deal on the Kent coast for an extended period. Armed with a modest compact camera, Dunn set out to capitalise on the opportunity, inadvertently afforded him by Covid-19 and simultaneously record an uncertain future and revisit his past. Primarily a photobook without people, Pandemic Spring is also an unusual hybrid of ‘local’ book that contains obscure elements of information of this small corner of East Kent as well as a personal account of the first four months of an unprecedented period of recent history. “There remains something of an ‘us and them’ vibe to the town that feels the same to me now as it did in the past,” observes Dunn. “My walks were conducted with almost forensic attention to details as I explored all that is unconsidered, ordinary and unremarkable.” A new typeface, Type-13 was commissioned specially for this publication. The foreword was written by the late musician Cathal Coughlan (Microdisney, Teilifís). Published by Zero-G, Edition of 400, €35 from the Library Project stoneybutter.com We are all guilty of fatigue from news cycles and waning interest when a story slips from the top of the global agenda, usually to be eclipsed by a new horror. The war in Ukraine is one such story which after eight months shows little prospect of resolution but still impacts millions of lives. Our mate in Krakow Lil Dave writes, “Back in February everything changed. Russia invaded Ukraine and the lives of millions were changed forever. In Krakow the scene was bleak, women and children arriving in droves with a backpack and no plan. Utter confusion and horror at what was unfolding around them. In the first weeks, I set up a gofundme to help an emergency shelter at Sekta, we raised a lot of money and managed to keep the shelter open for three months. But the problem is a lot bigger than this immediate response. “Along with some really incredible people, CINEMAS OF IRELAND… is a new print series by illustrator Amy Lauren who graced our pages this spring with her brilliant illustration to accompany Sean Baker’s Red Rocket. This olde to the silver screen takes in iconic cinema fronts, starting in Dublin with the Screen of Townsend Street, the Forum of Dun Laoghaire, the Classic of Harold’s Cross, and the Ambassador of Parnell Street. The aim of the project is to continuously add to the variety of facades on display, with cinemas old and some new, across the island of Ireland. etsy.com/shop/amylaurenbyamy 6 we set up a foundation called Community Worx. For the last few months we have been supplying food packages for about 350 families a week, providing them with clothes, helping many families with apartments and their rent. We have established a Headquarters here in the city where these families can come and avail of free therapy and Polish language classes. This has all been possible due to the generosity shown to the initial gofundme campaign. But now we are in massive financial trouble again. “This war is far from over and the situation here continues to sprout more and more problems that we want to help with. Personally this has taken a toll on my family, my work and my health but also feels so important to try continue on with. I am asking again, from the bottom of my heart for your help - however little you can afford - as the problems mount any support you can give us will help ease at least some of them. Please share our project, keep talking about what is happening and help where ever you’re able.” fundacjacommunityworx.pl paypal.com/paypalme/communityworx