Day 18

'Mickey Mouse', Pen and Marker on Paper

Following on from yesterday's ramblings and that whole notion of something stealing your gaze, this again was an object from the Ulster Museum which struck me as being visually interesting right away but it wasn't until I took the time to read the description of the object that I got the full picture of exactly what it was. As you can probably tell the above image is a Gas Mask and it was used during World War II, the thing that makes this gas mask particularly interesting though is that it's actually a child's.

During the second World War, bombing raids were responsible for essentially bringing the war to the everyday people of Britain's doorstep, as if this wasn't bad enough the threat of chemical warfare was a very realistic one. Whilst adults understood the concept of the importance of wearing a gas mask for protection against harmful chemicals, many children were frightened by the thought of it... and lets face it gas masks aren't one of those things that we think of in any way shape or form as friendly and welcoming. The solution then was that a child's gas mask was designed that resembled 'Mickey Mouse', in fact that was the nickname giving to the mask, the notion being that their affection and familiarity with the character would help them to feel more at ease with having to wear the mask.

 It is a strange solution to the problem in some ways, but on the other hand I can see the logic in how the designer came to this conclusion. Mainly as familiarity does help us to feel more comfortable, for example think about the last time you were unsettled by something on the way home on a dark night. It is only when we get home to those surroundings we have become so accustomed to, our own 'safe haven' that we finally feel reassured that all's going to be fine. It's possibly something to do with people by their very nature being creatures of habit, we like routine, we like structure and we like that most of what we do doesn't put us too far out of our own comfort zone. The unfortunate consequence is that often we can become complacent or a little stuck in our ways, it's something I've been thinking may have an effect on me as this project progresses. The more habitual I become I run the risk of becoming a little uninspired or apathetic with what it is that I'm trying to do, which is one of the reasons why the drawings so far have for the most part been fairly different. By selecting different techniques, styles and subject matter I'm confident that I can stave the monotony and stop it from ever becoming a problem.