September 26, 2019
This project was created merely months before the coronavirus pandemic, and has evolved in an unpredictable direction since then. At the beginning of this project's creation, I was merely searching for a cultural object that represented modern Hong Kong and the surgical disposable mask came to mind.
It's symbolism at the most basic level displays exercising care when an individual is sick. Since Hong Kong is a dense city, people are often mindful about spreading and catching germs, especially in crowded areas. Sickness in our community leads to a decrease in productivity and efficiency in tasks, something our fast-paced society fears. Thus the mask has become a useful tool in protecting ourselves and others around us.
On a more abstract and complicated level, it has provided various levels of protection during Hong Kong's political protests. Civilians at the protests had been wearing masks even before the pandemic, this had been slightly useful to avoid inhaling pepper spray and smoke. They also provided anonymity, making it harder for capture and arrests. Metal to the body is a sign of restraint. Hong Kong has been under intensive oppression for the past few years over political issues and we have been increasingly silenced over time, hence, the steel mask.
The heavy 16-gauge wire was used to portray the primary heavy lines, in other words, the most important foundation lines that make up the structure of a mask. It helped created a stable base that could not be broken even if dropped from a height. The light 24-gauge steel wire was used for the grid detail which also helped bring out the accordion fold missing in the base layer with only the 16-gauge wire. The 24-gauge oil-coated wire created the back layer, which is intended to be the “filter” layer of the disposable surgical mask. The cross-section of my orthographic drawing helped me plan out what I wanted to have in the sculpture that could serve as a secondary detail.
An aspect of my work that enhanced the composition is the black squiggly lines that served as the second, filtering layer. The pattern I created with the thin, black wire helped visualize a squishy, soft texture even though the piece is made of tough, durable wire. The visual hint helps my audience better understand and familiarize themselves with my object. It can also be a hint at all the filth the filter layer captures.