faceless

The (UK) Daily Telegraph has reported about strange beings seen at various events around London.

Faceless figures cause a stir at Wimbledon, Harrods and Elton John's ball
By Lucy Cockcroft
Last Updated: 12:01am BST
03/07/2008

Two mysterious faceless figures have appeared in the crowds of the most high-profile events this summer, including Wimbledon, Henley Regatta, the Harrods sale and Elton John's White Tie and Tiara Ball.


Faceless people causing a bit of a stir at Wimbledon...

In what looks like a scene from a horror film, the two sit almost motionless among spectators, their facial features totally obscured by a flesh-coloured membrane.

Close inspection shows that the masks - which appear to be made of a thin rubbery material - have tiny perforations around the eye and nose area so the wearers are able to see and breathe.

The anonymous figures have provoked much speculation among bloggers, desperate to guess what they are trying to achieve.

Could it be performance art? Or a ploy to advertise a yet unnamed brand?

One theory is that they are a couple of celebrities keen to avoid the glare of the paparazzi lens. Indeed, they seem to have access to some of the most sought-after A-list events.

The man and woman have been spotted at Elton John's white tie and tiara ball and the Harrods summer sale, opened by Sex and the City actress Kim Cattrall.

They have also popped up in a rowing boat at Henley Regatta.

Most recently the pair were photographed watching the ladies quarter-final at Wimbledon, and then sat out on Murray Mount.

One blogger wrote: "They probably aren't just random people off of the street.

"If it ends up being a pair of celebrities who have had it with being photographed all of the time and are staging a protest, I vow to support every project they appear on from now on.

"Whatever their purpose, I want to join them. And I have a new Halloween costume for this year."

Another suggestion is that they are from a group named Anonymous, which formed on the internet and is best known for organising protests against Scientology.

Members have turned up to past demonstrations wearing Guy Fawkes masks.

The favourite theory seems to be that they are part of a viral marketing campaign, possibly for BBC science fiction television series Dr.Who, or even - according to one internet site - for luxury car brand Lotus.

A blogger wrote: "This ad for .... the Lotus, takes the alien cake on over-the-top ads. Apparently you're a faceless droid until you ..."buy" a personality in the form of a Lotus."

But for now, the real identity and purpose of these faceless figures remains a mystery.

A plausible explanation is that they are recovering from facial cosmetic surgery, but still want to be out in public.

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It has felt like a long week. I fell asleep on the couch after returning home from work. It might be a sign to have a do nothing weekend.