Plugged In III

'Plugged In III' looks to explore the feelings triggered by the lockdown which we have faced, being housebound, constrained and our physical social interactions limited to the bare minimum, having to morph our lives to satisfy the more limited existence presented to us. The work is composed of a squashed latex balloon which is squeezed into a doorway. The balloon represents the claustrophobic and restrained feelings which many of us have had to endure during this challenging time. Parallels to the lockdown are also translated through the size of the balloon at two metres, being the distance which individuals in the UK had to keep between them to conform to governmental rules. Furthermore, the balloon is composed of latex, the same material as the personal protective equipment (PPE) used by the brave NHS and other key workers who risked their lives to combat the virus and ensured that the wheels of our society continued to turn. The name 'Plugged In' represents both the physical nature of the block between the home and the outside world but also references the method we have all used to remain connected to each other via technology, which has provided a vital conduit for human interactions to continue.