The story behind the shooting: 

In the midst of the pandemic, life has taken a strange turn. In Hong Kong, it seems like the Wild West has taken over the city, as businessmen roam the streets wearing suits and gas masks. It's a surreal sight, and one that photographer and artist Albertozi couldn't resist capturing.

In his series titled “Year of the Mask," Albertozi documents the strange juxtaposition of the pandemic and the Western style. The photos show businessmen walking on Hong Kong streets, looking like they are about to draw their guns. But instead of weapons, they carry hand sanitizers and face masks.

The photos are eerie, yet captivating. They make you question how we got to this point, where the pandemic has transformed our lives so drastically. But they also offer a glimpse of hope, as people carry on with their daily routines despite the chaos around them.

Albertozi work is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we can find beauty in the unexpected. His photos capture a moment in history, and one that we won't soon forget.

“When I was preparing the project, I thought a lot about what the colour and atmosphere should be like. I want to let people feel the depression, the absurdity of this city. The emotion I felt like a local citizen. And after the shooting, I choose to make them all in black and white. I think it is because it was an absurd story, and ridiculousness come through much stronger in black and white. Colour is a burden and is distracting in a way, it pleases the eye but it doesn’t necessarily reach the heart. We keep our main picture in colour as we think that this is the one represent our closest look of our city, in a familiar way. And hopefully, it will back to its familiar way one day”. - @LC.ICH, project photographer.

“To a certain extent, I think artists are parasitic in the society. They take social issues as nourishment .When something happens in the city ,they can make powerful works. The way I see art or photography is about the resonation. If only the creator himself can feel the emotion or understand. This is more like an art for the creator himself. In 2020, we all face the virus. Year of mask is a record of people’s lives, but in a form of exaggeration. Hope you feel it and like it.” - @LC.ICH, project photographer.