GAS MASKS IN TH E ART REVOLUTION
Maybe I’m being to literal on Mr. Rivers theory with the idea of objects communicating beyond what was their original intention. I understand the concept better by thinking about objects as a metaphor. The Jeff Rice Collection of Billy the Kid worked to establish a base project to grow and develop a form of a “domino” or “Spring board” effect of ideals and thoughts that work off each another. The Gas Masks: Enhancing Human Ability framework is similar in that form. When people are interested and have knowledge of the same subject matter, it only makes the project bigger and better when grouped together as a collection. Gas masks are an object easily defined within Nathaniel Rivers’s rhetorical processes. It’s a fairly straightforward object for composition, production, distribution, assemblage, and circulation. The transformation, and constitutionality of a gas mask is unique in comparison, the gas mask story is a fabulous PopCycle adventure. The symbol of a gas mask is engrained into our cultural psyche, it horrors our movies, scares our protesters, helps our athletes and enhances our messages. The gas mask is a well-established symbol in a variety of media but what does it mean…
comparison
The spring board or domino effect between authors will connect "Gas Masks in the Art Revolution to Ashlie Payne's work labeled "Diving into the Wreck: Post-Apocalyptic Detroit and the Gas Mask that Saved its Life". Additionally, the work of Zainab Alsaihati, "Gas Mask Political Role will be noticeably connected with street art in the political atmosphere of being anonymous.
for arts sake : Historical
Gas mask art has been around since the Plagues of Europe with describing how doctors used masks packed with fragrance along with hats, coats and gloves to work with patients. While not formally seen as art until the 20th century, gas masks are a solid pop cultural icon in art for numerous reasons. Lately, street art has seen an increase in gas mask use. There are a number of reasons why an artist would use a gas mask in their artwork. The meaning the artist is representing gives art critiques something to argue about or complain about. Meaning is subjective and only the artist really will know what it means. Sometimes art doesn't need to mean anything.
BLOWING SMOKE : Meaning
A few online blogs and forums have invited art critiques to discuss the meaning of gas mask in art. Almost all agree that the mask represents a cause that is concerning to the artist. The cause is usually political or environmental. Some critiques argued that the artist couldn't draw faces. There is something to this theory in very few cases. However, the more interesting point made was the artist wished to remain anonymous hidden behind the mask.
Forum responses at ask.metafilter.com about gas masks in art:
"I think it also has connotations (for me, anyway) of how we're poisoning our atmosphere, figuratively and literally."
posted by occhiblu at 7:46 AM on September 13, 2007
"If you are spray painting with any regularity you need to wear a respirator. often i see self portrait type pieces where the subject has a mask on, as they would when they create their art. in these situations it doubly serves to conceal the artists identity."
posted by phil at 7:51 AM on September 13, 2007
"Street art isn't something I know too much about, but I believe Banksy made the gas-mask a popular motif."
posted by munchingzombie at 7:52 AM on September 13, 2007
Click on the following articles for more.
And Now The Screaming Starts
The Gasmask In Street Art
Forum responses at ask.metafilter.com about gas masks in art:
"I think it also has connotations (for me, anyway) of how we're poisoning our atmosphere, figuratively and literally."
posted by occhiblu at 7:46 AM on September 13, 2007
"If you are spray painting with any regularity you need to wear a respirator. often i see self portrait type pieces where the subject has a mask on, as they would when they create their art. in these situations it doubly serves to conceal the artists identity."
posted by phil at 7:51 AM on September 13, 2007
"Street art isn't something I know too much about, but I believe Banksy made the gas-mask a popular motif."
posted by munchingzombie at 7:52 AM on September 13, 2007
Click on the following articles for more.
And Now The Screaming Starts
The Gasmask In Street Art
stinks around here : Political
In the wake of protests in Ferguson, Missouri and Mong-Kok, China, the gas mask has furthered grasped tighter on the psyche of what it means to be a gas mask. Nathaniel Rivers is fair to say that objects communicate at the level of Metaphors. Whether or not that mental image is of an oppressive police force or the unidentified protester, the gas mask keeps digging deeper into what it means to be a gas mask. The political arena uses the gas mask on both sides of the issue. It's been used as a logo for Occupy protests, represents the stink of political discourse and villainizes combatants on either side.
Click on the following articles for more.
How To Make Tear-Gas Masks: Tips From An Art Museum
Click on the following articles for more.
How To Make Tear-Gas Masks: Tips From An Art Museum
The gas mask is prevalent to political demonstration, especially when opposition turns violent. Zainab Alsaihati has further explored gas masks in the political scene highlighting Anonymous.
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A big breath of stale air : Environmental
The gas mask is a purposeful object protecting users from breathing poison, dust, and gas, even asbestos. Its purpose makes it a perfect icon for environmental protest. Simply adding the gas mask to art makes for a disturbing and very informative message. Referring back to the meaning of the gas mask, forum participants referred to the mask as a metaphor to the poisoning of the environment. It's not a hard metaphor to grasp.
Click on the following articles for more.
Beijing office workers wear 'gas masks' at their desks as hazardous smog envelops city
Across America, science center offerings on climate change are often scant
Click on the following articles for more.
Beijing office workers wear 'gas masks' at their desks as hazardous smog envelops city
Across America, science center offerings on climate change are often scant
COMPARISONEnvironmental problems hit athletes too. Events in polluted areas will have participants wear gas masks. It's more difficult to breath heavily when using a gas mask but it's not healthy to breath pollution. Additionally, athletes will use gas masks to make events more challenging or for high altitude training. Not all participants use the mask to enhance difficulty but to raise awareness for a cause.
Click on the following articles for more. The Terrible Pollution Marring Beijing's Marathon Marine Runs Marathon in a Gas Mask to Raise Awareness for Disabled Veterans |
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PopCycle
Thien-than C su-Chet’s, better know as TNT, uses a gas mask to make the Tough Mudder challenge more difficult. TNT not only uses a gas mask, he carries 60-90 lbs. of chain. He's a menacing or mentoring sight depending on your viewpoint. Understanding that breathing is difficult and the mask is a menacing visual, I found it apparent the breathing of Darth Vader needs to be added. As I created this element, I felt guilty of what I was doing. TNT is not part of the dark side; he's the complete opposite. However, using another voice over that represented his power was difficult to find. I just can't imagine TNT saying, "No. Try not. Do... or do not. There is no try." as he helps participants throughout the course. Pop culture doesn't stop and explain itself. The creator of the element or meme, may be the only reader who understands its point of view. The great thing about art and pop culture is that it doesn't need to make sense. |
The face off of one : Social
Social messaging seems to hold a special place for gas masks. Social messaging can be explained as bring attention to a subject, concern or self. There are scads of online t-shirt stores selling gas mask clothing. None of these styles have a message other than the image represent the wearer's style. A more to the point social message is street art. The artist known as Banksy has established a following, good or bad, that responds to his work. Banksy has used the gas mask in a variety of paintings and stencils. Referring back to the section about the meaning of gas mask art, I wonder if this response is accurate,
"More often than not - it means the "artist" can't draw faces." posted by LakesideOrion at 8:32 AM on September 13, 2007.
The transformation of the gas mask is evident with the mount of different metaphors the gas mask represent. The gas mask speaks to users and viewers on so many different levels reveling in the psyche of what we as humans relate to . Social messaging has varied from protection to oppression and humor to fashion.
Click on the following articles for more.
Social Gas Masks
Ferguson & The Design Dimension
"More often than not - it means the "artist" can't draw faces." posted by LakesideOrion at 8:32 AM on September 13, 2007.
The transformation of the gas mask is evident with the mount of different metaphors the gas mask represent. The gas mask speaks to users and viewers on so many different levels reveling in the psyche of what we as humans relate to . Social messaging has varied from protection to oppression and humor to fashion.
Click on the following articles for more.
Social Gas Masks
Ferguson & The Design Dimension
COMPARISON
While there are social use gas masks in the literal sense, understand that I'm using the term social as the potpourri of gas mask art. Not all gas mask art is about a cause. However, it does lend itself well to any cause one may want to support. A great example of a cause that uses a gas mask is Ashlie Payne's essay about Detroit and its involvement and manufacturing of the gas mask.
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Conclusion
The Materiality of the gas mask is fairly normal within its technological advances. However, the transformation and consequentiality makes the meaning of a gas mask more complex than what it's simply supposed to do. The use of gas masks in art shows that complexity, from street to installation art and clothing to paintings. While everyone will quickly agree that its intended purpose is to be able to breath, the meaning of the gas mask is a subject that can be debated long term.