Commander AJ, my alias, travelled through deep space, alone on his spaceship for 7 years (2229-2236); that’s why I thought he would be the perfect “testimonial” to exit this lockdown. You can find the limited edition “The Space Violin” masks by EnergiaPura here
https://shop.energiapura.info/gb/mask/2907-av002u-00-mascherina-pure-air-4-pezzi.html
Why did I decide to combine my project with a protective device? Disposable surgical masks are the subject of many controversial debates: needed by the millions, prices are out of control, they only protect for a few hours, many are counterfeit with falsified certifications and of dubious safety, their disposal is problematic and causes ecological damage, not to mention that “hospital vibe” they exude.
For this reason, I decided to collaborate with EnergiaPura, a historic Made in Italy ski wear company, which is using its ‘technology of fabrics’ know-how to produce high performance protective masks:
- – they filter up to 95%, both in and out (CE certificate), so they are safe for us and others
- – machine washable at 60°, hypoallergenic and comfortable to wear
- – attractive: this way we can transform a medical device into a clothing accessory, providing us with an acceptable way to not feel embarrassed while having to live with this virus that is among us.
This, and other ways, are how all of us around the world are slowing trying to exit this #lockdown after a couple of months forced at home. In Italy the first steps will be allowed from May 4th: we will be “free” to go out, though with limited movements and not all the activities will reopen immediately, same goes for schools.
The continuous, and nowhere near finished, bombardment of information regarding the progress of this pandemic has left us confused, every other aspect of our lives seems to end up in the background: I too have asked myself how to react as quickly as possible and this line of masks is just one of the signs. Those who follow me with some consistency know that I’ve been participating in a solidarity tour in the outskirts of Rome: volunteer associations provide food, while myself and other artists return to the stage providing music and laughter for an audience that follows us exclusively from the windows and balconies of their homes.
The concerts and live parties we are used to will probably not return for quite some time, but we can’t give up. This experiment with a remote public watching us from their homes is only one piece of the puzzle we can create. The next frontier of creativity is interaction with social network platforms, going beyond the spontaneous flow of the “homemade” broadcasts seen during these months; with the hope, however, that it will always remain as a “second screen” of something that happens with a live audience.
In these days I have been studying a “tour” for your screens: stay connected through my pages (especially Facebook facebook.com/officialandreacasta and Instagram instagram.com/andreacasta) to find out how to participate, as of the first week of May. Come on “fellow humans”, we’ll rise up again very soon!
