Schnabelmaske 1994

Here we see Manuela Sambo’s 60 by 30 centimeter mask, or Schnabelmaske. The mask evokes the historical images of plague doctors, figures who donned beak-like masks filled with herbs to ward off disease. These were worn during outbreaks of the bubonic plague in the 17th century. Sambo's mask reminds us how deeply disease is intertwined with social and cultural anxieties. This piece seems to ask, how do we confront our fears of the unknown? Is the mask an attempt to protect, or does it signify the fear itself? Sambo, born in 1964, may be commenting on more recent health crises, such as the AIDS epidemic, and the sense of helplessness it brought. Through this object, Sambo touches on collective fears, personal experiences, and the symbols we create to navigate our anxieties. It's a stark reminder of our shared vulnerability and the ways we seek to confront existential threats.