The state of emergency caused by the coronavirus brought about a change in the purchasing behaviour of Finns. I chose to photograph the groceries that people rushed to hoard in their homes, everyday items that ran out on store shelves.

In addition, I photographed the grocery store employees who worked on the so-called front lines during the corona period. They were exposed to the virus daily, facing the effects of the pandemic so that basic societal functions could continue.

Poikkeustila 2020 is a visual collection of memory traces from the spring when everything changed. Some 160 photographers are behind the shots.