Masks

Masks have been worn since antiquity, and for a variety of reasons:

-Protection

-As disguise

-In performance or entertainment

Greek theater drama masks represent comedy and tragedy

Masks are seen in many different cultures.

Where are these masks from? How do you know?

-Covered the faces of the dead

-Assumed powers/traits of certain deities

-Masks were thought to magically transforming an individual from a mortal to a divine state.

Egyptian Funerary Masks

Where are these masks from? How do you know?

Some tribes believed that a mask represented a spirit who possessed the wearer.

Not everyone could wear a mask; an individual had to be specifically trained for the purpose or possessed of mystic powers, like the ability to mediate between the living world and spiritual realm of ancestors and other beings.

African Tribal Masks

-Summon dieties-Used in rituals, celebrations (Dia de los Muertos), Pre-Colombian sacrifices

Mexican Folk Masks

Masks in the Mexican folk art tradition combine human and animal features: jaguars, birds, bats and alligators

can be identified within a humanized face.

Where are these masks from? How do you know?

Head of a dragon for the

Chinese New Year

Celebration

Carnival masks have their roots in France and Venice, Italy and have spread to Rio De Janeiro and New Orleans revolving around Lent.

Masks you might see

today…

Superhero masks…

A character assumes certain

traits and abilities once masked

Contemporary Ceramic Mask- makers

Bill Abright, California

“I've always been attracted to masks. I

concentrate on the face because it is the most

memorable and expressive part of a person's

identity.”

Jungle

Where ideas come From Crusty

After being bisque fired, Abright uses acrylic paint and graphite pencil to bring out features

Her current work is done by hand using earthenware clay and a combination of surface glazes,

colored slips, stains, terra sigillata and Egyptian paste.

Katherine Mathisen“Mudgoddess” on Etsy

Florida artist

Creating figurative sculpture posed in simple gestures

to convey human emotion and relationships.

Celebrate the Colors of Life Mask of Celebration

The Beekeeper

Peggy Bjerkan, “Maskwoman” California

“I especially like to emphasize humor, wit and irony in my pieces and I hope that the

masks are able to speak for themselves.”

Reflecting popular English idioms, catch phrases and proverbs

A Change of Heart

Rose Coloured Glasses The Dreamer

Midas Touch

Wooden Heart Ether Bunny

“My masks are painted with underglazes and sometimes another glaze overtop. When all firing is completed, I use colored gessoes, acrylics and Prismacolor pencils to define the features. One to four coats of varnish are then applied.”

1. An animal

2. A Famous Artist

3. Alter Ego/Masquerade

4. Specific Language

Your Mask-Making Prompt Options:

Animals often represent certain traits, behaviors, signs or omens

Do you feel drawn to a particular animal?

An AnimalInspired by Mexican Folk Masks

Are there any animals that you find to be extremely frightening or intriguing?

Is there a particular animal that you see often when you’re out in nature?

**You will still begin with YOUR facial features to make the mask

A Famous ArtistInspired by…a famous artist

An Alter Ego/Masquerade MaskInspired by a Superhero or Mardi Gras/Carnival

A Play on LanguageInspired by artists Bill Albright and Peggy Bjerkan

Where Ideas Come From, Abright

Songs

Sayings

Jokes, Puns

Poems

Ideas

A Change of Heart, Bjerkan

Step 1 Begin making your tin foil/tape mask

Follow the instructional step-by-step sheet to do this!

While you are taping away at your face in the dark, begin thinking about the four options for your mask’s inspiration. You will need to come up with ideas for all the options…this is a good time to think.

Step 2 Brainstorming and Thumbnails

List out three ideas per category (animal, famous artist, alter-ego, language).

Thumbnail sketch two of those ideas per category. Remember, thumbnail sketches are not detailed – they are just quick ideas.

Step 3 DETAILED sketch

This should include color and a paragraph explaining your inspiration.

Include any cultures, artists, sayings, animal meanings that might be relevant.

Step 4 Add extra features

Now that you know what you want your mask to look like, you can finish the tin foil/tape base and then add any extra features (ears, giant swirls, sun rays, petals) with more tin foil, cardboard and tape.

Step 5 Paper Mache

Step 6 Paint with Acrylics

Don’t forget to think about…

How you will hang your mask??

How it will attach to your face?

(also, can someone please make one of these giant heads as an extra project?)

http://www.donmichaeljr.com/blog/category/actual-masks/