Monday, April 14, 2008

DESIGNER GAS MASKS...



Conceptual art project from Diddo Velema. Project description below...

We are in a state of perpetual war – with ourselves and with the eco-system that sustains us. Perpetual war breeds perpetual fear. In the present context, this fear stems from our extreme desire for authenticity and manifests itself in our collectively insatiable culture of consumption.

Deep down, we are afraid we may never be satisfied. An expanding archive of branded myths and icons feeds this fear. Designer Gas Masks is an attempt to visualize this state of mind. Because it is only by first acknowledging and then challenging fear that we will all be able to breathe a little easier.


Sending this one out to the big homie Choo.

1 comment:

NC said...

Mr. Marshmallow Man,

as you would say, and i do undoubtedly agree, these are the "visual HOTNESS!". combining two of my favorite elements.

the gas mask, for what they represent as poignantly described by the excerpt on your post. not only shielding the identity of the perpetrator, the mask seperates him from the victims he intends to harm. both living and dying from a quality of air that is neither natural nor necessary.

designer branding, icons of our world's obsession with consumer goods and luxury at any cost. like the artist, i prefer the counterfeit variety (mockery at its best!).

all things considered, similar to my ambition towards producing counterfeit designer eye patches, there must be a market for Velema's masks and i'll be the first MF to wait in line overnight! gimme summa that...

JC, amen.