26/02/2026
Third reveal: the Umasq mask by Tzachi Nevo.
At first glance it feels graphic and bold — almost like a face distilled into symbols. A long wooden nose, closed eyes, a red mouth suspended in a rhythm of black-and-white stripes. It’s playful, slightly ironic, and impeccably composed.
Look a little longer and it starts to move.
The background isn’t static. It’s built from horizontal lamellas. As you walk up the stairs and your viewing angle shifts, the color perception changes. Black becomes dominant, then white takes over. The face subtly transforms. It’s never exactly the same twice. The artwork responds to you.
That kinetic effect is precisely why it works in this spot.
About the maker:
Tzachi Nevo, founder of Umasq, began as an industrial designer before spending 25 years in media marketing. In 2015 he returned to art, creating three-dimensional modern masks with traditional echoes and a distinct sense of humor. You can feel that layered background here — design discipline, spatial awareness, and storytelling in one object.
Why it fits in the villa:
• It plays with perspective. Just like Mediterranean light changes a space throughout the day, this mask changes as you move. It turns a staircase into a small theatrical moment.
• The wood frame connects to natural materials — travertine, teak, warm tones — grounding the graphic stripes.
• The humor keeps it human. It’s design with a wink, not design that takes itself too seriously.
And then there’s something personal.
The shifting lamella effect feels almost symbolic of the owner’s two worlds: Den Bosch and the Rotterdam region. Den Bosch — layered, historic, intimate. Rotterdam — bold lines, graphic contrasts, modern architecture. This mask holds both energies. Traditional mask references framed in sharp, almost Bauhaus-like striping. Warm wood against high contrast geometry.
From one angle it feels calm and composed. From another, dynamic and urban.
It’s not just a face on a wall.
It’s perspective made visible.
