Unmasked : exploring how society forces shallowness upon humanity and what remains underneath through a photography and text based publication

Abstract

The aim of the project is to examine, as well as outline the current trends and risks together with showing the opinion of different kinds of individuals within the society about the subject of shallowness and the idea of people wearing masks to portray an image of themselves that are not their real selves. While focusing on the subject of superficiality, the possible solutions are also to be taken into consideration; their importance emerges consequently of the discussed issues. The project would investigate the questions of how we are putting on masks to portray a certain image to the world both through social media and in the real world. How are we trying to be seen on social networks? How are we trying to act in front of other people? How are we trying to maintain some level of realness and how are we trying to cope with the superficiality in order to be still able to create deep connections? What methods do we use to escape from the superficiality of the world, and what are the aspects that make up the real us? Furthermore, the starting research questions for the project were “What are the reasons that create superficiality in the world around us and what type of superficiality did we adopt”; “What are the aspects that create superficiality, what is the main reason for its emergence and how do these affect our daily lives and thoughts?”; “What is the history behind all these happenings and to what direction are we heading?”; “What are the possible outcomes for the future and what are the possible solutions that can be adapted?”; and “Are people okay with how the world is right now, or are they seeking out change, and if yes, how?” These are all the questions that I was aiming to investigate and eventually answer them through the words of different individuals that are partaking the project.