SARAH GOBELL

Masks Artist Statement

The word masks refers to a covering for all or part of the face worn as a disguise. Most people may think immediately of a physical mask to hide their face or appearance. However, I took masks in a different way, in how people can use technology to hide who they really are. People online use their profiles to show their best and happiest self. Technology can be a mask to hide people’s true emotions or who they really are as a person. My photo represents four people sitting hiding their faces with technology like an actually mask would, with the deeper meaning of hiding their true selves online.

 

I was inspired by this photo from how different people can act online. Some people act tough, kind, or outgoing in online comments or on social media when in reality they have a completely opposite personality. People think they can use technology as a mask to cover up who they really are, by even editing their photos so they look ideal. The process of taking this photo required people sitting together all with different pieces of technology  covering most of their faces. The technology covers their face in the way an actual mask would. The black and white filter allows for more focus on the subjects and not distracting backgrounds.

 

After taking this photo I was reminded of how people make themselves look and seem ideal online for appearances. Masks cover a person and allow them to hide, technology does this in different way possibly without people even realizing.