Berlin-based art collective Plastique Fantastique has designed transparent spherical face shields for alternative Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), inspired by science fiction comics from the 1950s, to fight with the coronavirus. 

Dubbed as iSphere, a new face mask, challenging traditional face masks, covers mouth and nose completely and designed based on a cutting technique with a small hole and placing their head into it. 

Two transparent hollow hemispheres were produced in 30 minutes and their costs for the material are around €24. 

Developed by Plastique Fantastique founders Marco Canevacci and Yena Young, the studio said that starting from April 27th 2020, it became mandatory to cover mouth and nose in public transports in Berlin. 

The iSphere has been developed as an open-source project that everybody can produce, develop and improve. 

Additional gadgets can give a unique touch to any iSphere: it can have a sunshade, a mirrored layer, an integrated microphone, a speaker, a ventilator, or a snorkel.

Marco Canevacci and Yena Young are inspired by the science fiction comics of the 1950s and the visuals of the utopian movements of the 1960s.

"It is pop, and it belongs to everybody. The iSphere is a funny and serious object that stimulates how to approach this exceptional situation," said Marco Canevacci and Yena Young. 

"The Coronavirus is changing our relation to each other and affecting our perception of reality."

"This virus is very democratic: it spreads over the borders, has no preference for gender, social, cultural, or economic status."

"In this time of lockdown, we wonder about the mutation of our social life and the effects of the deprivation of physical touch," they added.

Plastique Fantastique was established in Berlin in 1999, Plastique Fantastique is influenced by the unique circumstances that made the city a laboratory for temporary spaces and investigates alternative, adaptable, low energy spaces for temporary and ephemeral activities.

The transparent, lightweight and mobile installations relate to the notion of activating, creating and sharing public space and involving citizens in creative processes.

Plastique Fantastique's works include a site-specific installation conceived for New Holland Island in Saint Peterburg, Blurry Venice installed in the 2019 Venice Art Biennale, Loud Shadows | Liquid events for the Oerol Festival in Terschelling, The Netherlands, 2017.

All images and video © Marco Barotti

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