Gili Benita (International Center of Photography)
Should We Watch Something?
Award of Excellence
The COVID Experience
My roommate, Eyal, started seeing Sam a few weeks before the Coronavirus outbreak. They met for the first time at the Basement Club in Queens, New York, and later matched on Tinder. When Eyal and I began to quarantine in our Queens apartment, he asked me if it would be okay for Sam to stay with us. A week into the quarantine, Sam moved in with us. The coronavirus outbreak caught many couples whose relationships had just begun in a difficult dilemma. How could they still see each other while practicing social distancing? Is this the end of casual dating? In the case of my roommates, the answer was obvious. Countless nights started by watching 'Mad Men' together and ended in lying down and spreading out on the sofa. Eyal and Sam were wrapped in each other. On the other side of the couch, I sat by myself, grabbing my knees close to my chest and not interrupt them. Reluctantly, I became the third wheel in their relationship. Observing them day after day showed me an alternative to how a healthy relationship can blossom. Every evening after we cooked dinner, we sat in the living room and contemplated the question, 'Should we watch something?'. There was food on the small coffee table, an undersized ashtray, Raw rolling papers, and a mix of weed and tobacco scattered on the table. "There is the new RuPaul episode!" Eyal said. "Oh yes, I'm totally down for it," Sam replied. Although they were thousands of miles apart, with Eyal having moved back to Israel and Sam still in New York, this period allowed them to experience the pandemic's fear and anxiety together.
Story: Should We Watch Something?
Untitled
Eyal Chowers (25), sits on his bed at his Ridgewood apartment in February 28th, just two weeks before he self quarantine himself due to the covid 19 outbreak.
Story: Should We Watch Something?
Untitled
Sam Zeender (24) gets his first home made skinfade in the bathroom from his partner Eyal Chowers (25), at their Ridgewood apartment in NYC, March 31st, 2020.
Story: Should We Watch Something?
Untitled
A pile of dirty clothes of Eyal and Sam stacked up on the chair at their bedroom inside their Ridgewood apartment in NYC, April 19th, 2020.
Story: Should We Watch Something?
Untitled
Sam Zeender (24 (R) and Eyal Chowers (25) (L), on their rooftop, March 20th, 2020.
Story: Should We Watch Something?
Untitled
Sam Zeender (24) works out at the living room inside the Ridgewood apartment, NYC, April 21st, 2020.
Story: Should We Watch Something?
Untitled
Sam Zeender (24 (R), and Eyal Chowers (25) (L), lying on their couch inside their Ridgewood apartment in NYC, April 5th, 2020.
Story: Should We Watch Something?
Untitled
Sam Zeender (24) sits on Eyal's bed inside the apartment in Ridgewood, NYC, April 19th, 2020. The Neon sign in the window says 'Tiny Room' in Korean.
Story: Should We Watch Something?
Untitled
A funeral held in the street outside of the window from the apartment, Ridgewood, NYC, May 14th 2020.
Story: Should We Watch Something?
Untitled
Sam Zeender (24 (R), and Eyal Chowers (25) (L), lying together on their couch after watching an episode of RuPaul's Drag Race, in their Ridgewood apartment in NYC, April 11th, 2020.
Story: Should We Watch Something?
Untitled
Sam Zeender (24) smoking a cigarette on the window while finishing his work towards the end of the day, Ridgewood, NYC, May 5th, 2020.
Story: Should We Watch Something?
Untitled
Sam Zeender (24) (L), smoking cigarettes with Eyal Chowers (25) (R), one week after moving in together in Eyal's Ridgewood apartment in NYC, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Both wanted the move so they can continue their romance in the pandemic. March 18th, 2020.
Story: Should We Watch Something?
Untitled
Eyal Chowers (25) and Sam Zeender (24) saying the last goodbye outside the apartment before Eyal's departure to Israel, Ridgewood, NYC, May 30th, 2020. The couple continued their romance as a long-distance relationship.