# Disturbing Masked Art Erik Bergrin's KKK HOODS Series Contemplates Disconnection By Milla Kiss | Published 2012-03-07 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kkk-hoods References: [dustmagazine](http://dustmagazine.com/blog/?p=841) & [erikbergrin](http://erikbergrin.com/section/83759_Masks_and_headpieces.html) While gothic, tribal and humanimal masks are becoming fashion phenomenon, for KKK HOODS creator Erik Bergrin, masks represent disconnection. In order to express his ideas and provoke public opinion, Bergrin uses one of the most negative and iconic masks of history: KKK hoods. In the case of this KKK HOOD artwork, the creations not only symbolize [racial hatred](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fragments), but also an approach to life, where people hiding behind masks do not accept themselves and hence are completely disconnected. The KKK HOODS photo series, featured in the Roots issue of Dust Magazine, depict the disconnected, masked lives of plastic-surgery-addicts, heavy-smokers and junk-food-lovers. The actual pieces in the KKK HOODS series are made of exactly the material they are talking about: [cigarettes, wood, nails and wires](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shearling-style-hat). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.4/10 - Popularity: 61% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Gothic-tribal-humanimal Masks:** Opportunity for fashion brands to capitalize on the growing trend of gothic, tribal, and humanimal masks. - **Iconic Mask Use:** Potential for artists and designers to explore the use of iconic masks to provoke public opinion and express ideas. - **Symbolic Artwork:** Space for artists to create artwork that symbolizes societal disconnection and explores the concept of hiding behind masks. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fashion:** Fashion brands can tap into the demand for gothic, tribal, and humanimal masks as a fashion phenomenon. - **Art and Design:** Artists and designers have the opportunity to use iconic masks as a medium to provoke public opinion and express ideas. - **Photography:** Photographers can create thought-provoking photo series that explore the disconnect and hidden aspects of society using symbolic masks. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Emotive Inflatable Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lian-mask.md) - [Block Puzzle Carnival Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/masquerade-mask-1.md) - [Connected Emotive Face Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/w3e-mask-expressive-emotion.md) - [Mask-Made Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tidal-stories.md) - [Disruptive Fashion Art Galleries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dirty-looks.md) - [Digital Archetype Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/christian-rex-van-minnen-1.md) - [Identity-Exploring Clothing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shapes-we-take.md) - [Runway-Inspired Peel-Off Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-001-artistry-mask.md) - [Artful Suspended Fashion Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/invisible-figures.md)