Photo from K11 MUSEA
Hong Kong-based company K11 Group launched a partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) to showcase limited-production face masks designed by nine global artists that will be exclusively sold in the Asia Pacific region.
The MOKA Masks feature designs by Virgil Abloh, Mark Grotjahn, Alex Israel, Barbara Kruger, Yoko Ono, Catherin Opie, Pipilotti Rist, Hank Wills Thomas, and Andy Warhol.
The collection includes artworks such as “Flower” by Andy Warhol, “A Piece of Sky” by Yoko Ono, “Bo from Being and Having (detail)” by Catherine Opie, a sunset palette design mask with two pins by Alex Israel, and a geometric style pattern mask by Mark Grotjahn.
Typography masks are also available in three designs, “Still Speaks Loudly” by Virgil Abloh, “Better Safe Than Sorry” by Barbara Kruger, and “Life, Handle with Care” by Hank Willis Thomas.
As MOCA’s first mask project, the partnership matches the museum’s commitment to “making the experience of art accessible and encouraging the urgency of contemporary expression.”
“Wearing a mask communicates that you’re mindful of protecting others, your community, and yourself. […] Being a responsible and caring citizen amongst citizens just became even more beautiful because of these artists’ contributions,” MOCA Director Klaus Biesenbach said.
Through the partnership with MOCA and driven by founder Adrian Cheng’s “Creating Shared Value” vision, K11 Group continues to bring positive change to society by producing fashionable options to an everyday necessity while supporting artists.
“These limited edition designs showcase the creativity of some of the world’s most respected artists, and I hope they provide stylish options to the global community and help people adapt to the new normal, all while supporting the art industry at the same time,” Cheng said.
This is not the first time Cheng has helped those in need during the pandemic.
Cheng is also New World Development (NWD)’s CEO, the company that launched shared platform #LoveWithoutBorders in February, an effort to provide creative and sustainable solutions to challenges brought by the pandemic.
The platform set up an anti-epidemic fund of $10 million for Hong Kong-based families via NWD’s foundation, raised funding for local communities through K11 campaigns, and built its own mask production lines in Hong Kong.
The company also launched “Mask-To-Go” dispensers located in 37 designated centers across all 18 of Hong Kong’s districts run by non-government organizations to ease public anxiety about mask shortage.
The collection will be showcased at the Gold Ball on the second floor of K11 MUSEA, the group’s flagship museum-retail complex that opened in Hong Kong last 2019.
The masks are adjustable, made with two layers of fabric, includes a pocket for filter insertion, and vary in fabric depending on the design which includes 100% Cotton, Cotton Blends (98% Cotton, 2% Elastane), or 100% Polyester Microfiber.
Each mask is priced at HK$320 (or an estimate of ₱2,000) with the all-designs bundle at HK$2,880 (or an estimate of ₱18,200).
The MOCA Masks are available for pre-order via K11’s eshop. Isabel S. Macaraeg