Primary D&TPrimary D&T

MasksMasks

Session ObjectivesSession Objectives

Understand the NC for D&TUnderstand the NC for D&TUnderstand the cross curricular Understand the cross curricular

nature of D&Tnature of D&TCreate an historical maskCreate an historical maskLesson planningLesson planning

A MaskA Mask A mask is an article normally A mask is an article normally

worn on the face, typically worn on the face, typically for protection, concealment, for protection, concealment, performance, or amusement. performance, or amusement. Masks have been used since Masks have been used since antiquity for both ceremonial antiquity for both ceremonial and practical purposes. They and practical purposes. They are usually worn on the face, are usually worn on the face, although they may also be although they may also be positioned for effect positioned for effect elsewhere on the wearer's elsewhere on the wearer's body, so in parts of Australia body, so in parts of Australia giant totem masks cover the giant totem masks cover the body, whilst Inuit women use body, whilst Inuit women use finger masks during finger masks during storytelling and dancingstorytelling and dancing

PerformancePerformance

Throughout the world masks are used for Throughout the world masks are used for their expressive power as a feature of their expressive power as a feature of masked performance - both ritually and in masked performance - both ritually and in various theatre traditions. The ritual and various theatre traditions. The ritual and theatrical definitions of mask usage theatrical definitions of mask usage frequently overlap and merge but still frequently overlap and merge but still provide a useful basis for categorisation. provide a useful basis for categorisation. The image of juxtaposed Comedy and The image of juxtaposed Comedy and Tragedy masks are widely used to Tragedy masks are widely used to represent the Performing Arts, and represent the Performing Arts, and specifically Drama. specifically Drama.

AfricaAfrica

There are a wide variety of masks used There are a wide variety of masks used in Africa. In West Africa, masks are used in Africa. In West Africa, masks are used in masquerades that form part of in masquerades that form part of religious ceremonies enacted to religious ceremonies enacted to communicate with spirits and ancestors. communicate with spirits and ancestors. Many African masks represent animals. Many African masks represent animals. Some African tribes believe that the Some African tribes believe that the animal masks can help them animal masks can help them communicate with the spirits who live in communicate with the spirits who live in forests or open savannas. forests or open savannas.

TheatreTheatre

Masks play a key part within world theatre Masks play a key part within world theatre traditions, particularly non-western theatre traditions, particularly non-western theatre forms. They also continue to be a vital force forms. They also continue to be a vital force within contemporary theatre, and their within contemporary theatre, and their usage takes a variety of forms.usage takes a variety of forms.

In many cultural traditions the masked In many cultural traditions the masked performer is a central concept and is highly performer is a central concept and is highly valued. In the western tradition it is valued. In the western tradition it is sometimes considered a stylistic device sometimes considered a stylistic device which can be traced back to the Greeks and which can be traced back to the Greeks and Romans. Romans.

Ancient Greek MasksAncient Greek Masks The concept of using masks in theatre was born The concept of using masks in theatre was born

from worship of Dionyssos, the Greek god of from worship of Dionyssos, the Greek god of fertility and wine. fertility and wine.

There were a great amount of rituals and There were a great amount of rituals and ceremonies that were associated with worship of ceremonies that were associated with worship of Dionyssos and many of them included the Dionyssos and many of them included the wearing of masks. wearing of masks.

Thespis, a Greek writer, was the first to wear a Thespis, a Greek writer, was the first to wear a mask and it is from his name, Thespis, that we mask and it is from his name, Thespis, that we derive the word thespian, a synonym for actor.derive the word thespian, a synonym for actor.

One of the main reasons for the wearing of Greek One of the main reasons for the wearing of Greek masks in theatre was the fact that there were masks in theatre was the fact that there were female roles but women were forbidden from female roles but women were forbidden from performing on stage. Therefore, men work female performing on stage. Therefore, men work female masks when they played the female roles.masks when they played the female roles.

The use of masks was also helpful when an actor The use of masks was also helpful when an actor had to play more than one role. A simple change had to play more than one role. A simple change of masks was all one needed to switch of masks was all one needed to switch characters. There were some theories about the characters. There were some theories about the masks helping to accentuate the actor's voice but masks helping to accentuate the actor's voice but there are many that also discount this concept. there are many that also discount this concept.

The masks were usually made of wood, cloth or The masks were usually made of wood, cloth or leather and were as creative as the people who leather and were as creative as the people who made them. Many of the masks were decorated made them. Many of the masks were decorated with hair, either human or animal, to complete with hair, either human or animal, to complete the effect. There was only a small hole drilled the effect. There was only a small hole drilled where the pupil of the eye would be for the actor where the pupil of the eye would be for the actor to see through. to see through.

Every actor today owes a measure of gratitude to Every actor today owes a measure of gratitude to the ancient theatre and the Greek masks that the ancient theatre and the Greek masks that graced each and every stage. They were the graced each and every stage. They were the forefathers of modern theatre and by association, forefathers of modern theatre and by association, even television and the movies. even television and the movies.