Masking Emotions: A Call for Creative Masks
Since March, our lives have been filled with new or intensified challenges and shifting views on how we and our world have changed. A symbol of this time that is universal around the world is the face mask. BU students, staff, and faculty both on- and off-campus, regardless of prior art experience, are invited to submit a work of your own design (or collaboration) that uses the format of a mask to illustrate one important thing you, or others in your community have felt or experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Your only creative constraint is the form of a mask. It can be a real mask, you can make a symbolic mask, or cut out a version of a mask (here’s a template) no larger than 8.5”x 11”.
Paint, color, sew, staple, use your choice of media to create a piece that expresses a reaction to the pandemic, or changes in your community. Submitted works will be displayed to the BU community as part of a collection at the BUild Lab IDG Capital Student Innovation Center (730 Commonwealth Ave).
Guidelines:
Guidelines are minimal to maximize your creativity.
- The design should reflect something relative to the last 5 months.
- Mask designs must be stable enough to hang on a wall display.
- You can use a real mask, a symbolic model, or a cutout version (here’s a template).
- Do not use abusive, antagonizing, or inappropriate language on your design.
- Do not attach food or other material that will spoil, rot, or attract rodents/bugs.
- The design included on the mask should be original and must not be under the copyright of another artist/entity.
Timeline:
Submissions will be accepted until November 30 and will be displayed on a rotating basis in the BUild Lab’s open co-working space.
Please note that while submissions will be displayed in an area to prevent touching or damage, this space will also serve as a classroom for the fall semester and as such we cannot guarantee that your work will be returned to you in the manner that it was received.
You can submit your work in the following ways:
- All submissions should include this form with your contact information and details about your piece.
- Beginning September 2, between 8 am-5 pm, drop it off at the BUild Lab’s entrance at 730 Commonwealth Avenue. Enter at the door directly left of Pavement Coffee, beneath the red “730” awning. Follow the rainbow-striped hallway until you reach the BUild Lab’s glass doors. A “Mask Design” drop-off box will be out front.
- Mail it to the following address: C/O BU BUild Lab, 19 Lincoln Street, Medford, MA 02155.
- Take a photo of your mask and email it to aisabel@bu.edu. A photo will be printed and displayed.
