MOCA-face-masks-by-artists

Face masks have become an unlikely canvas, a new piece of fashion real estate, on which to wear designs that express your identity, to match your outfit or to make a statement. To cement its status as a fashion accessory, and encourage contemporary expression, nine artists have jumped on the bandwagon with a series of limited-production masks.

Think Virgil Abloh, Mark Grotjahn, Alex Israel, Barbara Kruger, Yoko Ono, Catherine Opie, Pipilotti Rist, Hank Willis Thomas, and Andy Warhol (thanks to The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts).

The result of a partnership between The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles and Hong Kong-based K11 Group, the MOCA masks are being showcased at the Gold Ball on the second floor of K11 MUSEA in Hong Kong. Adrian Cheng, founder of K11 Group and CEO of New World Development, spearheaded the partnership and made it possible for the masks to be available in the Asia-Pacific.

This is MOCA’s first mask project and reflects the museum’s commitment to making the experience of art accessible. Made in Los Angeles, these masks are available in the Asia-Pacific via the exclusive K11 x MOCA partnership. They are available for pre-order from Aug 7.

(Related: K11 Musea rises as art powerhouse in Hong Kong)

Alex Israel’s exclusive creation features a sunset palette design, with a specially designed artist portrait pin. The other creations span a colourful floral design by Warhol (this echoes the same artwork which is in MOCA’s permanent collection), Ono’s puzzle design, and Grotjahn’s geometric style pattern. Typography centred-designs are also featured.

All masks are crafted in Los Angeles and vary in fabric depending on the design, including 100% cotton, cotton blends (98% cotton, 2% elastane), or 100% polyester micro-fibre. They are made with two fabric layers, with a pocket on the inside with sides for the option of filter insertion.

(Related: Comme des Garcons works with graffiti artist Futura to release a line of striking shirts)