Transcript Masks - Greenfield

A mask is an object normally worn on the face, typically for protection, disguise,
performance or entertainment. Masks have been used since antiquity for both
ceremonial and practical purposes. They are usually worn on the face, although
they may also be positioned for effect elsewhere on the wearer's body, so in parts
of Australia giant totem masks cover the body, whilst Inuit women use finger
masks during storytelling and dancing. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mask)
While it is perfectly fine to enjoy masks from many cultures as rich, colorful works of
art, one can gain a deeper understanding by considering how masks are used in
a particular culture and the meanings that the tradition-bearers bring to them.
In general, masks have two important social functions:
(1) they provide a disguise for the wearer and
(2) they allow the wearer to assume the identity, at least temporarily, of some other
person or being.
. (http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/what-masks-reveal#sect-background)
The individual vision of the mask designer also greatly influences the style of the
mask.
African tribal artists do not try to create a perfect representation of their subject.
Although some
realistic portraits are made, others celebrate more abstract qualities like nobility,
beauty, courage,
mischief and humor. They create an idealized version, emphasizing those elements
that they
consider most important
http://people.ehe.osu.edu/bgordon/files/2012/06/Sui-Huang.pdf
Texture: Skilled craftsmanship, fine detail and quality of finish are of great importance
to the
African tribal artist. Highly polished surfaces which represent a youthful healthy skin
reflect the
idea of beauty and virtue, while rough dirty surfaces suggest fear and evil. Many
African
carvings portray the idealized human figure in its prime, brimming with health,
strength, and
celebrating fertility or virility.
Shape and Color: African masks take on many forms. They can be oval, circular,
rectangular,
elongated, heart-shaped, animal or human, or any combination of these. Shapes and
Colors of
African masks are tribe specific, thus they are used as parameters to locate the mask’s
origin. In ethnic art
the colour was always vegetable, sometimes mixed with sacrificial blood or some magical
substance. It
was applied to the mask during special rituals in order to ensure its magical power. A wax
substance was
often added to the colour to achieve, after some rubbing, a glossy finish. Some tribes
utilized the ‘mud bath’ or burning technique to apply black color to the masks. In
different tribes different colours have
different meaning. Kaolin, white colour, can be a symbol of death, spirit or daylight but also
good fortune.
Charcoal, black, symbolizes evil. Ochre, red – is used to mark a celebration of life. Yellow
ochre and blue
lye are also used.
http://people.ehe.osu.edu/bgordon/files/2012/06/Sui-Huang.pdf
GAMBIA AND AZTEC
SPAIN
Devil masks such as this are worn during la
Diablada, a masked dance performed in the
Oruro region of Bolivia. Originally, the dance
was meant to appease the Supay, or evil
spirit in the mines. After Spanish contact, it
developed an additional meaning of good
versus evil in the Christian context of the
battle between Lucifer and the Archangel
Michael.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Crocodiles are an important part of the
culture and landscape in this region, as can
be seen by the crocodile tongue protruding
from the mask mouth.
TIBET
In Tibet, there are generally two types of
masks. One type is used and worn in plays
and dances.
IVORY
Masks and masquerading are important to
the Dan, who live in Liberia and the Ivory
Coast. They believe that a mask has a spirit
of its own. Some are believed to hold the
power to serve as a type of social control,
whereas others are used in skits, singing,
and proverb telling. This mask presents the
idealized and stylized human features
characteristic of most Dan masks.
AFRICA
The transition from childhood to adulthood is
important to many African groups and is
often marked by complex initiation rituals.
This type of mask is used in the Bamana
N'Tomo society
FALSE FACE MASK
Because they represent the spirit that
appears to each individual in dreams, there
are many types of False Face masks.
However, there are some common features.
These shared features include deep-set eyes
that often have metal plates; deep, arched
eyebrows; large noses that are often bent; a
wig, usually made of long, black horsetail
hair; and a contorted mouth. The shape of
the mouth varies depending on the function
and mood. The Protruding Tongue mask
portrays pain.
Traditional masks are carved on a living
basswood tree. If the tree was chosen in the
morning, the mask was painted red. If the
tree was selected in the afternoon, the mask
was painted black. This goes back to the first
False Face's daily journey following the path
of the sun.
AFRICA
AFRICA
Animals are believed to represent links
between the human and the spiritual
worlds. No Guro mask is without hidden
messages and spiritual importance. The
tribal life is mostly regulated by the Je
society. This male secret society is
responsible for the social, administrative
and judicial organization of the tribe. It is
responsible for making decisions and for
protecting the members of the tribe.
AFRICA
AUSTRALIA AND ALASKA
BURKINA FASO
TORRES STRAIT ISLAND
Turtle-shell masks in the western Torres Strait
reportedly were used during funerary
ceremonies and increase rites (rituals
designed to ensure bountiful harvests and an
abundance of fish and game).
The top of the headdress features the horns
of an antelope, the body of a serpent, and
the tail of a chameleon.
Animal masks, known as ekuk, are used during ceremonies of the beete
cult, a social association among the Kwele peoples. This bata or ram
mask is distinguished by the curving horns that gently frame the face.
The mask is relatively flat, with slight changes in plane clearly delineated
by variations in color. The face, simplified to a heart-shaped form in the
center of the mask, is highlighted in white. This delicate depiction of the
face is a common feature in masks of the Kwele and other related
ethnic groups in the surrounding equatorial forest region. The diverse
repertoire of ekuk masks from beete ceremonies includes
representations of the ram (bata) as seen here, the fierce gorilla (gon),
and the swallow, among others.
MALI
Dogon masks such as this sim mask are worn primarily at
commemorative rituals for Dogon men. The face of the
sim mask is typical of many Dogon wooden masks. A
rectangular box with an arched forehead, it has two
deeply hollowed channels in front. The edges of the box
extend upward at the top, forming small "ears." A
pierced, diamond-shaped section links the mask with
its tall superstructure, which is lashed to it with strips of
hide. The mask's face is said to represent an antelope,
while the top depicts a tall, thin spirit in human form
whose body is constantly swaying. This sim mask is
unusual in that the vertical elements attached to the
ends of the lower crossbar point downward; in most
examples they point upward like those on the crossbar
above. The choreography of the sim mask's movements
is among the most strenuous of Dogon dances,
requiring the performer to swing the mask around the
axis of his body, and to beat the ground with the tip of
the superstructure.
MEXICO
At markets throughout Mexico you’ll find
masks in the folk art tradition which combine
human and animal features: jaguars, birds,
bats and alligators.
CHARACTERISTICS
Mask Characteristics
High arched eyebrows
Beauty
Narrow chin
Beauty
Eyes half-shut
Peaceful
Small eyes
Humility and humbleness
Small Mouth
Humility and humbleness
Really long faces
Soberness of duty that comes with power
Round eyes
Alertness and anger
Bulging forehead
Wisdom
COLOR
Color Meanings
Red
Love and beauty, excitement, energy, blood, war, aggression
Blue
Peace, tranquility, cold, calm, faith, heavens, and oceans
Orange
Energy, balance, vibrant, excitement, adventure
Yellow
Joy, happiness, gold, sunshine
Black
Power, sophistication, fear, evil, mystery, sadness
Green
Nature, health, good luck, spring, jealousy, inexperience,
Purple
Royalty, spirituality, wisdom, enlightenment
Brown
Earth, stability, hearth, home, comfort
White
Purity, simplicity, youth, winter, cold, good
MORE INFORMATION
http://www.artyfactory.com/africanmasks/information/african-mask-artists.htm
http://www.rebirth.co.za/african_mask_basic%20forms.htm