Experiences of Expressing Emotions while Masked
Until recently, I spent three months of the year in South East Asia, mainly Malaysia. In many parts of Asia, it is common to wear a mask in times of high pollution and when you are unwell as a courtesy to those around you. I repatriated in March and it was actually strange for me when I was released from quarantine to see people not wearing masks… during a pandemic.
In January this year, while we were dealing with what was then known as a “Novel Corona Virus” mask-wearing was not uncommon even before it was mandated. While travelling on public transport in Kuala Lumpur, I noticed very quickly that when I smiled at people, they smiled back... despite us all wearing masks. We smile with our eyes.
Other emotions are obvious too, pictured below on the 16th March, 10pm in Penang, this is my expression after an attempted mugging. When I took this photo I didn’t know that this incident would rank third in the list of messed up stuff that would happen that evening. Hurriedly (and sadly) left Malaysia a few days after this
And a little fun with fruit at the airport in February after an announcement to wear a mask at all times.
Masks became the new normal on flights and my studio in the sky.
The final repatriation flight when things were getting “real”
And now, just the other day, on public transport in Sydney…
As you can see in all of these photographs… emotions are evident because we use more than our mouths to communicate.
Now let’s have some fun with the idea of smiles!
At the beginning of the workshop, we’ll look at some slides for inspiration, this isn’t an instructional workshop, we won’t be learning a new skill or technique so feel free to have some fun with the concept.
A smile can be so many things, it can be what you offer others, it can be a lie or an expression of joy. A smile is a form of communication… even when covered.
