2021
2023

Life Cycle

Julian Thomas

Julian Thomas

Parsons The New School for Design

Parsons The New School for Design

Parsons The New School for Design

Parsons The New School for Design

2021
2023

Life Cycle

Julian Thomas

Parsons The New School for Design

Parsons The New School for Design

Parsons The New School for Design

Parsons The New School for Design

2021
2023

Life Cycle

Julian Thomas

Parsons The New School for Design

Parsons The New School for Design

Parsons The New School for Design

Parsons The New School for Design

The date is March 11th, 2020, the WHO has just characterized the outbreak of Covid-19 as a global pandemic. An unlikely hero skyrocketed in use, utilized as PPE equipment for decades prior, the simple face mask became part of our every day lives. It quickly became a point of tension, a symbol of unity and division around the world. If we fast forward 3 years, this simple single use product has found its way into our city streets, waterways, sewage systems and land fills across the globe. Each mask which is used for but one day, will take an alarming 400 years to biodegrade. A ticking time mob, as they break down into smaller and smaller micro plastics, eventually finding their way into the food chain as they are consumed by wildlife. Globally 129 billion masks are used and disposed of every month. That?s one trillion and 548 billion masks polluting our planet annually. Fortunately there is an alternative, projects like tetracycle recycle these masks into plastic lumber. Which can be used to make furniture and other useful objects. The purpose of this project is to challenge you to reconsider your relationship with masks. To teach the world that another way is possible. As testament to that, the entirety of this installation will be recycled so that not one mask will go to waste.

Life Cycle