Intermedia

Mikayla Humiston

Urban Mask Fitters

May 2020

Materials: swimsuit top padding, Urban Outfitters reusable shopping bag, thread

This face covering is a dual purpose fashion piece that is supposed to be both protective for the wearer and a statement piece on consumerism and capitalism, which have proven to remain prevalent in the midst of a global pandemic. With COVID-19 stopping society dead in its tracks and overturning the lives of millions of people, daily life looks drastically different than it did just months ago. Facial coverings, like masks, are becoming a requirement in many communities. The problem I set out to solve with this piece is to help prevent the spread of the virus while commenting on our priorities as a society. 

The virus affects places based on the people and the cultures present, and we are all still getting used to the new normal. Though in densely populated areas, such as large cities there is a stark contrast where streets are typically full of people eating, shopping, traveling, and sightseeing. These places are largely reliant on people spending money and there is an inherently American quality in consumerism and capitalism. People are beginning to get impatient, and many people are turning to online shopping as an alternative to their usual shopping habits. Americans feel the need to consume constantly, and that does not change in a global pandemic. 

There is also irony in this piece because people are protesting towns and cities being shut down. People are wearing masks to gather and protest, masks to go out shopping for necessary items, and as states slowly begin to reopen, items that are not necessarily essential. With this piece, wearers might quite literally be shopping in a shopping bag. Although subtle, the Urban Outfitters logo repeating is meant to be a reminder that consumerism is a haunting aspect of our society, and that people still care about shopping in some cases more than they do saving lives. It also adds an element of fashion.

I used a bathing suit top pad for thickness to filter the air that the wearer would be breathing in, and to block the air they’re breathing out. The reusable bag itself is soft, and I followed the blueprint of a typical surgical face mask. The ties make it easily adjustable to any head, and the mask, although more effective as an upside down triangle, can be worn either way. The triangle itself indicates a caution symbol, as well as the yellow thread which is often associated with danger – in this case, the disease. I chose the beige colored bag to be subtle, and the yellow thread matches well. The material itself is washable and can be reused until it falls apart. Overall, it is a simple design with a bold statement associated that I think everyone should consider in order to re-evaluate our societal priorities and that which is truly important. 

Atalaya Murphy, 05-05-2020, Materials: Fabric (Old T-shirt), Cotton headband, thread and needle. Optional : Parchment paper, Iron, and Paper.

This face mask is created to be accessible to all, and to make a statement. The materials were all found lying around the house, and hand made, only requiring a needle and thread. An old t-shirt was cut, folded to create a filter, and sewn. It was a very simple stitch that followed pulled together the folded layers, and some stitches to attach and adjust the headband.Another problem tackled with this design is the discomfort many have experienced with straps near the ears. An old head band was cut and sized to my head, so I could rest the mask on the bridge of my nose and the strap fell under my ears. This depleted any possibility of discomfort around the ear. Also, this allows for you to wear the mask around your neck while you are not wearing it. The letters and words written on the mask was a repeated trial and error. For my mask I chose a black color, which limited what I could use to write the words on the mask. There is one method that involved printing the letters out from a word document, and using parchment paper to iron the letters (printed from a word doc) on to the front of the mask. However, if these items are not available, a different color fabric would allow you to just use a sharpie, or other fabric pen.

While it may not be the most stylish mask one could wear, it serves a great purpose. As the virus has continued to spread, there has been a number of incidents that have spread misinformation and havoc. Most of these messages coming from the President of the United States as well, the most recent, a suggestion of ingesting disinfectant into the body. The only information that should be spread around, is the information from the CDC, most qualified to handle these situations. The design of this mask inspires activism. The information that is being spread to the United States should be accurate and helpful to all. It is important to display sources that would only give correct information. No one should be left behind, unable to have adequate resources to create the mask- hence the DIY aspect. Although our mouths might be covered, it does not mean we must remain silent.

Briggs Heffernan – May 2020

• Modeling clay
• Canvas
• Masking tape
• Golf ball (for support purposes only)

One sees masks more than the faces underneath these days. Half of these offer little protection, being cloth or paper only, but the gesture matters. A mask symbolizes personal protection but it also wards others away. To that end, this gargoyle masks offers mostly symbolic protection while presenting a less than welcoming look. Gargoyles in architecture, most famously Gothic cathedrals, were built to scare off evil spirits, be they devils or ghosts. Today, their fearsome aspect can promote social distance and perhaps keep some bad energy off us.