TALKING THROUGH THE MASK
Overview: From March 2020 to October 2022, I collected over 600 used face masks from various sources. These included masks from my own daily use, contributions from classmates and friends, and items gathered during street and beach clean-up activities around Brooklyn, NYC. This project was inspired by two courses I took during my graduate studies at Pratt Institute’s School of Architecture Graduate Center in Sustainable Environmental Systems: Solid Waste Management with Professor Bridget Anderson and Life Cycle Assessment with Professor Carolyn Shafer.
Project Genesis: The initial aim of the project was to explore the environmental impact of disposable face masks, focusing on their production and recycling processes. However, as the pandemic evolved, the role of face masks transcended their function as personal protective equipment (PPE). They became deeply intertwined with political narratives and societal debates.
Artistic Evolution: In early 2021, I decided to use face masks as a symbolic medium to examine the intersection of social emergencies and personal choices. I meticulously cleaned and repurposed the collected masks into fashion-inspired designs, aiming to communicate the broader implications of mask-wearing through a language accessible to younger generations. To deepen the narrative, I conducted interviews with six individuals of diverse ages, genders, cultural backgrounds, and races. These interviews captured their pandemic stories through photographs and mini-essays, adding a personal and human dimension to the project.
Interview: Mariana Nelson
Age: 74
Residence: Chelsea, Downtown Manhattan, NYC
Background: Native New Yorker with two kids and a cat.
Q: Could you share any feelings or stories from the pandemic that had a strong emotional impact on you?
Mariana: When the city shut down in early 2020, my apartment in Chelsea became eerily quiet. Nobody was on the streets, and nothing was open—not even McDonald’s! I had to start cooking because there was no takeout available, which was quite the adjustment.
What I missed most were the everyday interactions—the simple hellos with my doorman and neighbors. Those small moments of connection meant a lot to me. I also missed my friends. We were all terrified, and none of them were willing to come out. It was such a lonely time.
Q: In many Western cultures, wearing a face mask was uncommon before the pandemic, whereas in some East Asian countries, it’s relatively normal. What was your initial reaction to the government’s face mask mandate?
Mariana: I was okay with it, as long as there was a good scientific explanation, which there was. I even had friends from Asia who told me, “Yes, this is just what you do during a pandemic.” So, I didn’t see it as a big deal to wear a mask, though I joked about losing friends over it!
Q: If you had to pick three words to describe your life during the pandemic, what would they be?
Mariana: Isolated—it was overwhelming. Bored—that was huge. And Focus—or rather, a lack of it. I’ve always been an avid reader, but during the pandemic, I completely stopped reading for the first time in my life. I missed it so much—it was surreal not having that escape.
Interview: Shadow
Age: 25
Origin: Shenzhen, China
Current Residence: Uptown Manhattan, NYC
Education: Philosophy major at The New School for Social Research
Q: Could you share any feelings or stories from the pandemic that had an emotional impact on you?
Shadow: I’m a music person—I absolutely love live concerts. There’s a community I’m part of where we share concert info and go together. But during the pandemic, everything just stopped! Music has always been my escape—a way to release my depression and enter a dream world. Losing that outlet from 2020 until now had a huge impact on my life.
Q: What type of music helps you relieve stress?
Shadow: Metal. I know some people think it’s just noise or violent, but for me, it provides peace from a different perspective. Music is such an interesting art form. Even though we come from different parts of the world, we can still find common feelings in music. It’s a universal language of communication.
Q: How did you feel about the local mask mandate?
Shadow: I didn’t like it, but I complied.
Q: How did you feel about the photoshoot we did today?
Shadow: I loved the look, especially with its subtle sensuality. Even though I’m asexual and don’t experience sexual desire, I think being sexy is a privilege of being a woman—it’s powerful. That’s also why I enjoy pole dancing and lap dancing. To me, it’s about empowerment and celebrating yourself.
Q: Some articles discussed the impact of the pandemic on people’s sex lives. What’s your perspective on that?
Shadow: LMAO. Some of my friends complained that they couldn’t hook up with people they met through social apps, so singles definitely lost a lot of opportunities for sex.
But from my perspective, the pandemic was a good time to reflect on yourself and understand how to pleasure your own body. It wasn’t all bad, was it? You just needed to try new things and practice self-love—literally! LOL.
Q: If you had to pick three words to describe your life during the pandemic, what would they be?
Shadow: Autistic, Surreal, Trapped.
Everything made me feel uncomfortable because there were no choices. Before the pandemic, I could decide whether to go to a concert or party based on my mood. But in 2020, I didn’t have any options. The only thing I could do was stay home, and that lack of freedom felt suffocating.
Interview: Ashton Oliver
Age: 26
Origin: Mississippi
Current Residence: Brooklyn, NYC
Q: Can you share some feelings or moments during the pandemic that had an emotional impact on you?
Ashton: You know, I was isolated. I spent most days watching YouTube videos and trying to mimic Vogue moves. I know—it sounds crazy, but I liked it.
And, oh my god, the ceiling of my apartment literally fell last year, and water flooded in. It was wild. Things happened during that time that I couldn’t control.
Also, I had to use Uber Eats every day, which drained my money. Like, $20 for a single plate! That’s at least $100 a week. Uber Eats, man—it’s a real budget killer.
Q: What do you think about the mask mandate in New York State?
Ashton: Quite frankly, the whole mask thing was just stupid in some ways. I mean, why did we need to wear a mask outside? It’s open air, bro! Inside, yeah, I get it. But outside? Come on.
Still, it happened. It became part of our lives, and you couldn’t really debate it. So yeah, masks—it was a stupid era.
Q: If you could talk to your future self 10 years from now about living through the pandemic, what would you say?
Ashton: I’d say, “Yo, bro, we did that! We made it through. I don’t know how, but I’m not gonna question it. Just ride the wheels and follow up.”
Honestly, it was a crazy time. A lot of people died, and I feel lucky to still be here. Living through 2020 and early 2021 was hard, no lie. That time was insane.
Q: If you had to pick three words to describe your life during the pandemic, what would they be?
Ashton: Isolated, definitely. Scary, sometimes. And lowkey peaceful—yeah, peaceful, because you need that peace to get through.
Interview: Sia Savina & Yves
Age: 35
Origin: Russia
Residence: Financial District, Downtown Manhattan, NYC
Family: Husband Nikita and 13-month-old baby Yves
Q: Congratulations again, Sia! Last time we met, we didn’t get a chance to talk about your experience giving birth to Yves during the pandemic. Let’s dive in!
Sia: Oh Rao! It was strange—lol. We had just moved to the U.S. from Russia, so everything was new and different. Living here is like stepping into a whole new world.
In some ways, it was exciting, but it came with many challenges. My husband and I had to figure out so much, and it felt like starting with a blank canvas—it was time to paint our new life.
Nikita was really worried about me giving birth because he couldn’t come to the hospital due to the virus restrictions.
(At this moment, Yves starts crying…)
Q: How many days were you in the hospital?
Sia: Three days. It was terrifying to think about keeping Yves safe. As a new mom, all I could think about was protecting him.
(Yves climbs onto the sofa, asking for a hug…)
I remember watching the news, seeing reports about pregnant women who passed away from the virus, and how little was understood about it at the time. It was so scary. I even saw articles suggesting that COVID-19 might impact babies’ body systems.
But as much as it frightened me, I knew I had to be strong—for Yves and for my family.
Q: What are your thoughts on wearing a mask as a policy in NYC?
Sia: We follow the city’s policy and always wear masks, especially because we have Yves. His health is our top priority, so there’s no compromise on that.
Q: If you had to pick three words to describe your life during the pandemic, what would they be?
Sia: The first word is Challenge, as I mentioned earlier. We faced so many new situations we had never experienced before.
The second word is Fear—there was so much uncertainty and worry, especially about Yves’ health.
And the last word is Happiness. Despite everything, I have this little one in my arms.
(Sia holds Yves’ face, waving his tiny arm, and she teaches me how to say these three words in Russian!)
Interview: Masa Ma
Origin: Beijing, China
Residence: Midtown Manhattan, NYC
Profession: Jewelry Designer
Companions:
- Gucci (right): A one-year-old girl, born in Indiana and now living in NYC.
- Maruta (left): A seven-month-old boy, born on a farm in Philadelphia and moved to NYC at two months old.
Q: Did the pandemic have any impact on your life or business?
Masa: Of course. I’m a businesswoman and designer running my own independent jewelry brand. It’s a startup, and when the virus hit the city, everything slowed down. People stopped attending public events like parties or dinners, so there wasn’t much need for accessories. Everyone was just staying home, and sales took a hit—I got very few orders.
But as an artist, I always have personal projects on my to-do list. These aren’t for business or public eyes; they’re just for me. So during the pandemic, I had time to focus on those. In some ways, the pandemic was good for me—it gave me the space to do things just for myself.
Q: What are your thoughts on the trend of getting “pandemic puppies”? Were you worried about the risks?
Masa: I was okay with it because I was really careful about cleanliness. Every time before entering my apartment, I made sure to clean myself, my puppies, and my boyfriend thoroughly. During that time, almost no guests were allowed in my home. I only walked the dogs early in the morning or late at night when the streets were empty.
The only thing that annoyed me was people petting Gucci or Maruta on the street without asking. Especially now that the city has reopened, more people are out and about, but the virus is still here. I wish people would stop touching my babies without my permission.
Q: Did the pandemic have any impact on your life or business?
Masa: Absolutely. As a jewelry designer running an independent brand, the pandemic hit my business hard. People weren’t going to events or dressing up, so the demand for accessories plummeted. But on the flip side, it gave me time to focus on personal projects that had been postponed for years. These projects aren’t for my business—they’re just for me as an artist. So in a way, the pandemic gave me the gift of time and the chance to create without external pressures.
Q: How did the pandemic influence your decision to get puppies?
Masa: I’d been planning to get a puppy for a long time but kept delaying it because of work and personal commitments. The pandemic created the perfect opportunity. I believe the early days with a pet are crucial for building trust and establishing boundaries, and the pandemic gave me plenty of time to focus on that.
Interestingly, I never planned to get two puppies, but it just happened. And now, I love that Gucci and Maruta can grow up as siblings. Watching them play and bond has been such a joy during these challenging times.
Q: What are your thoughts on wearing a mask as a policy?
Masa: I fully support it and believe the policy should be even stronger. I wear a mask every time I leave my apartment, whether I’m indoors or outdoors, and sometimes I’ll change it during the day if I think it’s been contaminated.
For me, wearing a mask isn’t just about personal protection—it’s about responsibility to others, including my boyfriend and anyone we might encounter. Even though I’m fully vaccinated now, I still wear my mask whenever I’m outside. It’s a discipline that’s become a part of my pandemic life.
Q: If you had to choose three words to describe your life during the pandemic, what would they be?
Masa: The pandemic wasn’t entirely a bad thing for me, so my three words would be:
- Time—I gained so much time to focus on myself and my work.
- Uniqueness—This period has been special and unforgettable.
- Gift—It gave me moments and opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Interview: Song Rao
Age: 36
Origin: Beijing, China
Residence: Bushwick, NYC
Background: Scientific Master’s Degree in Sustainable and Environmental Systems, Self-Taught Visual Artist
Q: Did the pandemic impact your life?
Song: Definitely yes. I completed my master’s degree online—ugh, Zoom! It was tough to keep up with lectures, take notes, and follow the PowerPoint slides all on a laptop screen. Plus, as an international student, English isn’t my first language, so it was harder to understand everything through electronic speakers or earphones compared to in-person classes.
But honestly, apart from the school challenges, it wasn’t all bad. And hey, I paid the same tuition, and Pratt is a good school.
Q: Why did you want to do this project?
Song: It all started with a class I was taking, Solid Waste Management. I learned how the NY State Sanitation Department classifies different types of solid waste and how recycling processes work. That made me curious about how we’d deal with the billions of discarded single-use face masks piling up everywhere.
I started collecting my own used face masks from day one and encouraged friends to do the same. I even did some neighborhood cleanups to gather more. After washing and drying them, I repurposed them into dresses and blazers.
Fashion has always been a passion of mine, and I think it’s a great way to connect with cool, like-minded people. I hope my work can evoke memories—good or bad—about the pandemic. Face masks are such an iconic symbol of 2020-2021, representing so many layers of meaning. This project is my way of recording history.
Q: What’s your opinion on wearing masks as a policy?
Song: I don’t get why some people are against it. It’s the simplest way to protect yourself, your family, and your community. It’s a good policy.
Sure, I feel hot, breathless, and sweaty when wearing a mask, but I think everyone feels that way. We’re all in the same boat. I got vaccinated months ago when it became available to foreigners, but I still wear my mask when I go out.
Q: If you had to pick three words to describe your life during the pandemic, what would they be?
Song: Adaptation, Resilience, and Fashion—lol.
Exhibitions and Recognition: In August 2021, I was honored to receive the City Artists Corps Grant, a recovery initiative designed to support artists significantly impacted by the pandemic. This grant was funded by the New York Foundation for the Arts and supported by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs.
In October 2021, I collaborated with two emerging artists, Yvonne and Reto, to present an experimental exhibition at Chelsea Market’s 10th Avenue space, hosted by Street Lab. The work has also been selected for exhibition at the Maggi Peyton Gallery, located within the Manhattan Borough President’s Office
