Research:
Research for this project consisted of powerpoint examples in class, listening to the podcast https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/masking-for-a-friend/, and collaborative discussions and mind maps done with my partner.
Activity-
One activity we did involved speed rounds where we constructed masks but had to pass them back and forth periodically with our partners.
Iterations:
Concept:
Covid-19, a virus killing mass numbers of humans has impacted all aspects on life. It’s effects on human health have been detrimental both physically and mentally due to a call for isolation in attempts to limit further spreading of the virus. The same isolation that left humans reeling has in turn provided the opportunity for nature to turn inward and begin healing itself. Man and nature are equally impacted by the new normal the pandemic has created. Man finds themself broken down, lacking identity and that by which they defined themself. Instead they are overcome by confusion, anger and fear which leads to desperate need for comfort. Society itself falls apart as familiarity is stripped away, the process of which leaves man emotionally raw. Meanwhile, at the beginning of Covid, nature begins to thrive. Heavily polluted waters became clear and animals were found in greater abundance as air and noise pollution decreased, but it wasn’t long before man needed nature again. With mass productions of medical supplies, pollution began to increase. Similarly destructive actions such as illegal hunting and fishing began taking place to soothe a food shortage, and an increase in hikers destroyed many habitats. Man turned to nature in attempts to heal themself, and nature suffered the consequences.
Production:
Production began once my partner and I settled on the concept of man vs. nature and their relationship to each other. My partner explored humanity and their emotions in regard to the pandemic as well as coping skills. I explored how nature began to thrive at the beginning of the pandemic due to lack of human interaction. The original idea that came to mind was that of a fishbowl type head piece, which transformed into the concept of an isolated ecosystem.
In attempts to create a bubble, I researched ways to create spheres and went with a geometric approach found on wiki how (https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Sphere-Out-of-Paper) which I practiced using paper.
I intended to make this using cellophane and wire, but was ultimately intimidated by the task and attempted to make ski mask, which did not go well, so I went back to the drawing board.
After brainstorming with my partner and sketching a new mask, I chose to do an face mask with semi visibility on on side, and the rest layered with leaves and flowers on top. I originally intended to accomplish this by using paper mache and origami as well as tulle for the other part of the mask. Upon reflection and conversations with my professor, I decided to work with felt instead of paper and use Velcro so that the flowers would be removable.
Upon staring construction, I began with a metal frame and sewed my brown tulle onto the middle wire. Then I cut out my leaves.
After cutting out my felt leaves, I began to attach them by sewing them to the wire frame and to each other.
I continued to sew leaves onto the entire empty space of the frame. Then I proceeded to sew together felt flowers and place them on the mask using sticky velcro dots.
I proceeded to fill the mask with flowers and wrap parts of the flower with brown tulle to hide it. I also made metal attachments to go over the ears.
After receiving critiques in class, I chose to add more flowers, wrap the wire ear pieces in tulle, and place a few more leaves along where they meet the tulle to fully cover the wire for my final product.
