Museum Natur und Mensch
Since the beginning of 2020 and onward, the COVID-19 pandemic markedly shaped all our lives. The virus caused an enormous loss of life globally and was one of the most serious health, economic and humanitarian crises of our time.
Protective masks became ubiquitous and were a symbol of the pandemic; they served to protect us and those around us. But they were also an expression of resilience, persistence, protest, religious or spiritual practices, as well as a voice for creative and artistic people in a time of crisis.
The Ethnological Collection began collecting Covid masks from 2020, which bear contemporary witness to a wide range of everyday masks and/or creative responses to the pandemic by artists from different regions of the world. Discover the most recent additions to the Ethnological Collection and the stories associated with the masks.
1. Traditional Artistic Masks
The centuries-old tradition of Chilkat weaving art and the current COVID-19 pandemic come together: Tlingit artist Lily Hope from Juneau, Alaska, created the wonderful mask, “Chilkat Protector”, for the Ethnological Collection as an artistic testimony to the confrontation with the global pandemic and a sign of indigenous resilience:
„In the future people will know we were here, we took care of each other, we survived“ (Lily Hope, 2020).
"For hundreds of years now, Chilkat Blankets have documented history, clan migration, and sto-ries for the Indigenous peoples of the Northwest Coast of America & Canada. “Chilkat Protector” serves as a record of this time. In the future people will know we were here, we took care of each other and we survived. We are still weaving. This original design is modeled from the traditional Chilkat face found in most Chilkat Dancing Blankets/Robes, modified to be worn on the human face similar to a COVID-19 protective mask. This mask is not intended for daily use. It is woven to document history. Materials used: Thigh (hand-) spun Merino wool and cedar bark warp, merino weft yarns in black, natural, and angelfish blue, tin cones” (Lily Hope, Dezember 2020).
Maori in Aoteaora/New Zealand ascribe healing properties to Harakeke, a native lily of Aoteaora also known as “New Zealand flax” or Phormium tenax. Traditionally, Harakeke is used to weave clothing, mats or baskets. The artist Purewa MacGregor draws on the knowledge passed down by her ancestors to make her Harakeke mask for the Ethnological Collection.
„Harakeke has been used by Maori dating back to pre-colonial times. Used to make clothing, mats and baskets just to name a few. Because Harakeke was such an integral part of everyday life it has since transcended hundreds of years later to modern times. Maori have a natural affinity with Harakeke and it is pivotal in our culture. I created Harakeke masks in response to the covid-19 pandemic. Maori believe heavily in the rongoa (healing) properties of Harakeke. Having the opportunity to create something that would resonate culturally with Maori, was a good starting point in the conversation around health during this crisis. Working with Harakeke can be difficult. It requires skill and commitment as the plant does not yield itself easily. The preparation is lengthy as is the weaving. A small piece like this mask takes at least 2 days. From Harvest, to preparation, weaving, and to finally drying. As a practitioner of traditional Maori Art it is a honour to work a medium that was so loved by my ancestors“ (Purewa McGregor, November 2020).
This Covid face mask is made from siapo, also known as tapa. The material is extracted from the bark of the paper maule tree in a complex process. The natural colors are extracted from various plants, such as the turmeric root, Bischofia javanica, the nut of the light nut tree and the annatto bush. The American Samoan artist Reggie Meredith produced this mask during the pandemic in a limited series of 60 pieces. This mask was a gift from her to the Ethnological Collection. She says about her work:
„This siapo mask is a part of a series called "Ole Olaga i le Taimi Nei: Living in the Now". When the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020, I felt helpless being far away from many friends, colleagues and family members who were suspectible to getting the disease. I remember thinking that I should make something to keep them safe from this sickness. My instinct led me to what I know best as an artist-- barkcloth--u'a-- beacuse siapo--(Samoan painted barkcloth) used for so many things, from clothing, to dividers of the home, shrouds, prestigious ceremonies and costumes. To date I have made over 300 siapo masks. The painted ancestral motifs are made of natural dyes from the forest. The patterns define different Samoan cultural concepts and the mask is like a warrior's shield going into battle“ (Reggie Meredith Fitiao, Siapo maker, Leone, Tutuila, American Samoa, August 2020).
2. Everyday Masks Made From Traditional Textiles
Protected yet fashionable during the pandemic: these textile face masks made from wax print fabrics are double-stitched and reversible. They were manufactured and sold by the Rwandan brand label “Umudozi Alexander” by the designer Alexander Bell Nshimiyimana at Kimironko market in Kigali. The masks provided an important source of income for local tailors during the pandemic, which also had an economic impact worldwide. With every mask sold by Umudozi, another mask was donated to humanitarian aid organisations in need.
3. Everyday Masks as Emblems of Political Protest
The killing of George Floyd on 25 May 2020, provided a new catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement, which originally came into being in 2013: people all over the world protested against the violence and killing of people of colour by police officers, against racial profiling and racism. To protect against infection during the Covid-19 pandemic, such masks were offered for sale and came to characterise images of these protests in the media worldwide.
A red handprint across a mouth: this Covid face mask shows the symbol of solidarity with missing and murdered indigenous women and girls in North America. With the acronym MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) painted on her legs and a red handprint on her face, Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Daniel (Kul Wicasa Oyate, South Dakota) ran the Boston Marathon in 2019 to draw attention to the fates of the missing women and girls. With the proceeds from the sale of such face masks, activists continue to draw attention to #MMIW. Acquired through the native-owned shop: I am Kaw, USA.
“Vidas Indigenas Importam”/“Indigenous Lives Matter” – is the slogan of a campaign launched by Brazilian singer and artist Marcia Novo in Manaus. The campaign was initiated to draw attention to the urgent need to care for the indigenous urban and rural population in the Amazon region during the pandemic.
The campaign received international media attention, in part because nurse Vanderlecia Ortega dos Santos (Witoto) wore one of the masks while volunteering in Parque dos Tribos and participating in public protests in Manaus.
This textile face mask was designed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The print refers to the protests for the reform of the monarchy and constitution in Thailand that emerged in 2020 and 2021: The printed symbol represents the democratic movement and references the three-finger salute from the movie “The Hunger Games” as well as a plaque marking the end of absolute monarchy in Thailand in 1932. To protect retailers, these masks were only sold online.
4. Masks Referring to Religious or Spiritual Subjects
Spirituality and pandemic: in Bangkok, these fabric masks were on sale in a monastery shop during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are made from the same striking orange fabric that is used for the robes of Buddhist monks. It is dark orange in colour, which is called สีพระราชทาน (Royal Gift Colour). This means that they match the robes of the Dhammayut, who belong to the small community of Thai Theravada Buddhist monks. This somewhat conservative community was founded in 1833 by King Mongkut (Rama IV) when he was still a monk.
The Virgin of Guadalupe, is embroidered on the Covid face mask made of cotton fabric with colorful silk thread. It is modeled on the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary in the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe on Mount Tepeyac in Mexico City. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexico. The mouth and nose protector was acquired during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Love your neighbor as yourself” - this quote from the Torah of Judaism (Lev 18:19) is embroidered with gold thread on this textile face mask. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the mask is produced in Los Angeles and traded online worldwide.
5. Everyday/Popular Culture
This shiny, glittering Covid mask pays homage to the popular Mexican wrestling style known as lucha libre. During their performances, the wrestlers, aka luchadores, don striking masks and costumes reminiscent of superhero outfits. The luchadores often continue to wear these masks and costumes even after their performances, thereby maintaining the fictional identity they assume during the fight.
This red and gold mask is a reference to the wrestling legend Manuel González Rivera (b. 13 April 1936, † September 2004), known as the luchador “Dr. Wagner”.