With the New York Covid-19 Pencil Tracker, Artist Francine LeClercq acknowledges those who passed away from Covid-19 in New York City and engages the public with the “spread” of the message, charting and replacing the devastating outbreak of the virus with an equally viral transmission of recorded facts through the agency of pencils. A transient tool that dispenses its form to inform, the pencil is thus made into a found testimonial literally as well as metaphorically exposing at once our shortcomings as well as our strengths, delegating a remembrance that pays tribute to those we have lost.

During 2022, thousands of pencils will be placed at random locations around the city, from waiting rooms to cafeteria, park, subways and various other public spaces. The printed message carries accurate data recorded from the NYC Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on the date of the pencil manufacturing orders. Echoing the collective nature of the pandemic, the public is expected to pick up the found object and participate in its migration.   

Conceived and developed by artist Francine LeClercq, THE NEW YORK CITY COVID-19 PENCIL TRACKER project is made possible in part with public funds from Creative Engagement, a regrant program supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by LMCC (Lower Manhattan Cultural Council).