Change the world

11/01/2021

Nelson Mandela University’s Institute for Coastal and Marine Research (CMR), together with Visual Arts student Mr Luke Rudman had the opportunity to be involved in the international artistic initiative the MaskBook Project, which recently formed part of the fifth anniversary of the Paris Agreement.

The MaskBook project addresses and raises awareness for major environmental issues (such as air pollution, climate change, and waste) and mobilises the general public through creativity and by using the anti-pollution mask as a symbol.  Citizens, artists and celebrities all over the world are encouraged to participate.

The Paris Agreement, an agreement with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), aims to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change.

To mark its fifth anniversary, various climate summits were arranged across the world on Saturday, 12 December (the main events being held in the United Kingdom and Paris).

A special session during the event hosted by the United Nations Secretary General, showed a video of prominent personalities from different countries wearing designer masks created under the MaskBook Project.

Mr Rudman had the opportunity to be involved as he designed the mask for the South African personality, Esther Mahlangu, an Ndebele artist, known for her bold, large-scale contemporary paintings that reflect her Ndebele heritage.

Mr Rudman has an interest in environmentalism and does great work in waste awareness through visual arts.

To create the mask, Mr Rudman used recycled plastic waste, paints, beading, and other collected items.  He incorporated several iconic South African symbols in the mask design, including the protea, arum lily and Blue Crane (see photograph attached).

For more information on the MaskBook Project, the Paris Agreement and to view the photo gallery for the event on 12 December, please click on this link: https://www.maskbook.org/en/about.

Contact information
Ms Zandile Mbabela
Media Manager
Tel: 0415042777
Zandile.Mbabela@mandela.ac.za