1 minute read
an uniform
FACING MASKS
By Isu Kim Lee Artworks JPCA LAB
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Encountering the strangers in the stream of people, random flow yet destined collisions. In the parks and supermarkets. On the trains and streets.
Our eyes spew out a ray of projectiles, which land on each others’ surfaces, inscribing names.
The very first surface that the ray touches is the tip of our upper body, the face. An uneasy embracement, a contractual caress, wrappings of masks.
Where hostility, hospitality and indifference are coiled up like a bundle of snakes.
Exchange of stares might result in smile but also in demeaning laughter. Exchange of voices might get you a hand of help but might also expose you in danger.
Our encounters are always bound by the masks that we wrap around each others’ faces. Countless layers of masks that are overlapping on faces. If it’s possible to peel them all off, What would be waiting behind there? Is there even anything laying underneath?
An extra layer of material masks imposed on top of the layers of masks of projection. What do they manifest? What do they cover? What do they reveal? Scenery of mystery or mundanity? A moment of thrill or disillusionment?
Some of us learned a long time ago, to put an imaginary layer around ourselves.
Screens to prevent the exchange of stares, Headphones to prevent the exchange of voices. Which enabled us to act as if we were simply sharing the space, but didn’t exist to each others.
I wished I didn’t exist to you.
A Face mask might protect us from the viral particles, but more viral are the ray of projectiles.
Isu Kim Lee by JPCA LAB
In March 2020, face mask on an asian head was identified as foreigners bringing the virus to Europe.
Today, face mask on black or brown head is still deeply engraved in our perception as a threat.
Yet another layer is between us, but it is not a blank layer.
Isu Kim Lee @isu_mignon_mignonne
Just a reminder that a face mask is not an uniform.
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