Invader, the enigmatic French street artist, is as renowned for his distinctive mosaics as his commitment to anonymity. No one but those closest to him knows who he is since he started installing mosaics around the world.. But how did his mask bring him fame and secure his identity? Let’s find out.

Purposes

Firstly, it is for anonymity. During Invader’s Global Space Invasion, he may have had to work in broad daylight, installing concrete tiles on walls. It’s a tough process to create and prevent passersby from recognizing you simultaneously. Every piece takes time to install, and he has to wait for the adhesive to dry. A hoodie or a cap to conceal himself works fine, but Invader typically stays for interviews during public appearances. So, one of the ways he maintains his secrecy is by wearing masks to cover his face and conceal his identity.

Secondly, it is to maintain the mystique surrounding his persona. The masks have become a part of his artistic identity, an icon even, adding an extra layer of intrigue and symbolizing his art's universal and faceless nature.

Thirdly, it is to draw full attention to the art itself. It helps shift the focus from the artist and allows people to enjoy solely the amazing art created, fulfilling Invader’s motive of sharing art with everyone.

Cover-ups

Invader has been seen wearing various types of masks, each with its unique visual appearance. Here are a few notable examples:

pictures

Firstly, he simply places a picture in front of himself. The design is very simple with a pixelated photo of what seems to be a human portrait, probably himself, placed to cover his face. Inspired by the pixel art style that defines his mosaics, these masks feature blocky and pixelated images printed on them.

As a side note, these limited photos of him revealed his physique, skin color, and particularly his arms. They seem to be the same person, but sadly, there is not much proof of the authenticity of these photos. Are they leaked by accident, or are they specifically taken for featuring in an article? We may trace it back to the source.

Checkering

Secondly, he checks photos of himself when he isn’t wearing a mask. This method is not necessarily a mask, but still, it’s a way for him to hide his identity. The original photo is taken, and then a filter is applied to his face.

It seems that this figure has a similar appearance to the first picture with the glasses on. However, he wore long sleeves that covered his arms and physique making it unsure whether he was Invader or not.

Black and white Mosaics

Mars_97

Thirdly, he covers his face with black and white mosaics. One of the pixelated mosaics he created back in Marseille, MARS_97 is used to cover up his face. A similar monochromatic art is used for his Facebook profile photo. Both of them seem to be a representation of his entire face, representing “Invader was here”.

Colored Pixel Art

In a similar occasion, he uses colored pixel art to cover up his face. This variation showcased the versatile mosaics installed worldwide.

The direct linkage of himself to his artwork reinforces his brand identity and the unique pixel art style, further promoting fame and attention to the Invader persona due to the mystery and the relationship with his art style. These cover-ups are reminiscent of traditional disguises, underscoring the artist's desire for anonymity and the timeless nature of his guerrilla art tactics.

Masks

Character Masks

Occasionally, Invader will wear masks in public. Most of them depict characters from pop culture or iconic TV shows, They include characters like Ninja Turtles and Super Rangers. These masks add a playful element to his public persona, connecting his real-life appearances to the digital and fantasy themes in his art.

NY_163

Iconic Masks

He has also been seen wearing masks everyone knows about, masks that are too hard for you to miss. When you look at it, you will recognize it, or at least, you will have seen it somewhere.

Miscellaneous

There are some other masks that he wears, though these masks habe only appeared in one or two in articles and news outlets

Impact

Public Perception

The use of masks has a profound impact on how Invader is perceived by the public.

The masks contribute to the enigmatic aura surrounding Invader, highlighting the mystique of his rare public appearances. By hiding his face, Invader ensures that the focus remains on his art rather than his identity. This approach aligns with his motive (hyperlink pls) of universal art that belongs to everyone.

Cultural and Artistic Influence

The masks themselves have become cultural icons and recognizable symbols of Invader’s brand and artistic philosophy.

Invader’s use of masks has influenced the street art community and broader cultural contexts. Many street artists, inspired by Invader’s approach, have adopted similar tactics to maintain anonymity. Some even go as far as copying his work. The masks add a performative element to his art, engaging the public in a narrative that blurs the lines between the artist and his creations. The masks have transcended their practical purpose, appearing in media representations, and being a part of the broader mythology of Invader.

The masks worn by Invader are more than just tools for the sake of anonymity, but are integral to his artistic identity and public persona, encapsulating the themes of universality, mystery, and nostalgia that define his work. As long as Invader continues to hide behind these masks, the fascination with both his art and his identity will undoubtedly endure.

Purposes
 

cover-ups   
-pictures
-checkering
-BLACK AND WHITE 
-COLORED

MASKS
-CHARACTErs
-ICOns
-MISCELLANEOUS

impact

conclusion