Announcing: Our New Normal

In Quarantaine Publication

Spinach is growing from seed, peas are sprouting and random veggies are pickling even if it´s not the season. But then again: what are seasons anymore at this point? 

                                                                                                                   Alina Lupu, 27th of March

In the second half of March 2020, bound to the indoors due to a worldwide pandemic with an unpredictable course, TAAK started a conversation with Alina Lupu about the current covid-19 crisis. As we speak, accessing streets without restrictions is hardly possible – if not entirely impossible. Public systems of all sorts are overburdened, collapsing, put on hold or tightened. More than ever, social and economic inequalities become visible. There is a need for alternative and shared support structures. Fortunately, they seem to rise everywhere.

Now that the function and experience of public domain is changing drastically, the question of how to make space public (again) comes to the fore differently. Although we are not sure whether (artistic) productivity should be of our concern at this point, TAAK and Alina do share an interest in questioning how to possibly engage with the rapidly changing situation. Or, as Alina Lupu mentions in one of her e-mails: “to discuss what other things are public, and what things can become public triggered by the current crisis.”

Upon invitation by TAAK, Alina Lupu will weekly blog – as a way to be aware, (re)consider, reach out and relate.


Alina Lupu is a Romanian born and bred, Dutch-based artist and writer. She has a background in psychology, photography and an incomplete education in fine arts. In 2019 she released a publication entitled "This is a Work of Fiction". The novella goes through real and imagined situations touching upon the fragility of the artistic profession and the many compromises that come with it. Before that, she was alternately employed and contracted by Deliveroo, Helpling, Foodora, Uber, Thuisbezorgd, Hanze Groningen, Willem de Kooning Rotterdam, de Taart van m´n Tante, and Poké Perfect Amsterdam. Her pension will eventually total a bit over 2 Euros per month. Her work has infiltrated: W139, Amsterdam; Onomatopee, Eindhoven; Drugo More, Rijeka; Rheum Room, Basel; European Lab, Lyon and Diskurs, Giessen, among others.

Website: https://theofficeofalinalupu.com/

Our New Normal is made possible by AFK (Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst).