Our ongoing series takes an intimate look at the reality beneath the illusion of masculine behavior. Various men share experiences in which they had to put on their MASK, giving insight into their habits and thoughts. Unexpected aesthetic elements exteriorize the unspoken interior sensations. These uncensored moments are a dialogue aimed at liberating the individual and the ensemble from the weight of taboos.

“In high school I usually had short hair, a line-up type of hair cut. When I started growing it out, guys at my high school would say, ‘Nice comb over faggot. Why are you growing your hair out like a girl?’ None of that fazes me. When the comb over came into style, those guys started getting them. It shows how social norms dictate who you are as a person.

“My music…some songs I don’t really share. When they would come on in the car with my guy friends, I would immediately change the song. Like if Ed Sheeran came on they’d say, ‘What are you gay? Trying to be in touch with your feelings?’ Or I’d be with a girl and a love song would come on and she would be like, ‘What the fuck is this?’ So I’d change the song or subject.”