Posted on 12/16/2020 8:47:02 PM PST by nickcarraway
A year into the coronavirus epidemic, a Japanese retailer has come up with a new take on the theme of facial camouflage - a hyper-realistic mask that models a stranger’s features in three dimensions.
Shuhei Okawara’s masks won’t protect you or others against the virus. But they will lend you the exact appearance of an unidentified Japanese adult whose features have been printed onto them.
“Mask shops in Venice probably do not buy or sell faces. But that is something that’s likely to happen in fantasy stories, Okawara told Reuters.
“I thought it would be fun to actually do that.”
The masks will go on sale early next year for 98,000 yen (S$1260) apiece at his Tokyo shop, Kamenya Omote, whose products are popular as accessories for parties and theatrical performance.
Okawara chose his model, whom he paid 40,000 yen, from more than 100 applicants who sent him their photos when he launched the project in October.
An artisan then reworked the winning image, created on a 3D printer.
Initial inquiries suggest demand for the masks will be strong, Okawara said.
“As is often the case with the customers of my shop, there are not so many people who buy (face masks) for specific purposes. Most see them as art pieces,” Okawara said.
He plans to gradually add new faces, including some from overseas, to the lineup.
(Excerpt) Read more at asiaone.com ...
If this keeps up, we’ll have “moon moth” society. (Jack Vance reference.)
Ghost in the Shell did it first.
One way to fight back against the surveillance state.
Cool. I’ll get a Hillary Clinton face, and commit tons of crimes.
Then you will never be charged.
Of course, the downside is that dogs might continually try to hump your face.
Those have been around for at least 50 years. I saw them on Scooby Doo.
I didn't know she was wearing a mask until she pulled the "skin" on her face. Think of the woman getting a face lift in the movie Brazil. Until she pulled the "skin" you couldn't tell she was wearing a mask.
If you know how to skillfully apply make-up as she did it's ultra-realistic.
These type of mask have been around awhile but the rubber is becoming thinner they're becoming more realistic.
Do a search for realistic rubber face mask.
Didn’t actress Julie Andrews have a dramatic moment of unmasking like this in the movie “Victor-Victoria”?
This was filmed just a few years before some throat surgeon accidentally ruined her natural singing voice forever.
Back in the sixties.
Rollin Hand.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.