AP PHOTOS: Masks hold images of pandemic, Hong Kong protests
Posted August 15, 2020 7:00 am
HONG KONG (AP) - In one of Edmond Kok's creations, a 3D visualization of a spiky coronavirus bursts out of a face mask. Another mask uses a plastic takeout container to remind people of the environmental cost of food deliveries.
A design inspired by a Thai temple symbolizes people missing their favorite holiday destinations because of travel restrictions.
A Hong Kong actor and costume designer, Kok has had little theater work during the pandemic but found creative opportunity in the now-ubiquitous face mask.
He has crafted more than 170 masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems.
They're not worn as illness prevention but as pieces of art.
Kok's creations also address fears in Hong Kong that China is taking away the greater freedoms that residents of the territory have compared to the mainland. Under a new national security law, people have been arrested for displaying or chanting slogans deemed as advocating independence from China.
A mock gloved hand covers one mask, illustrating the struggle to express one's voice freely. A security camera represents a fear of surveillance, and eyeballs, a fear of being watched or censored.
'œI really want to document different things that happened in our lives,'ť he said.
After the pandemic ends, Kok hopes he and others will revisit their experiences through his masks. He has posted photos of them on Instagram and other social media platforms.
Face masks are seen on the table in studio by Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Hong Kong actor and costume designer Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a spiky green mask which is a 3D visualisation of corona virus in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask covered in blue artificial flowers which he made on Valentine's Day this February in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask made by a white paper in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask made from Chinese bamboo steamer in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask made from takeaway container in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask designed as traditional clown face and bow tie costume in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask made by a rubber yellow duck in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask made by a paper tiger use for villain hitting in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask inspired by the decoration of Thai temple to Kok's face in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask designed with a stuffed glove stuck on it, representing a hand over his mouth, looking scared, in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask decorated with many different fruits in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, wearing a face mask at his studio in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, is making a face mask at his studio in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
Edmond Kok, a Hong Kong theater costume designer and actor, is making a face mask at his studio in Hong Kong Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. With little theater work because of the coronavirus pandemic, Kok has found a way to turn the now ubiquitous face mask into a creative opportunity. Since February, he has created more than 170 face masks inspired both by the pandemic and Hong Kong's political problems - not for actual use but as pieces of art. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
The Associated Press
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