Paper Mache Masks

Objectives:

• Effectively use the art elements and principles of design to create a mask.

• Consider craftsmanship and your attention to details to create a quality work of art.

• Consider the emotional impact your mask will evoke. Will it be humorous, grotesque, fantastical, delicate, beautiful?

• Look at masks from different cultures for inspiration. Consider your own interests and how they may be used to personalize your mask. Or consider how your mask could convey a message about the times in which we live.

• Sketch at least 3 ideas.

Masks have been used since antiquity for ceremonial, spiritual, theatrical, and practical

purposes.

Artist Unknown, Crooked Beak of Heaven Mask

Jaguar/Tigre MaskDance of the Dia de la Virgen de Asuncion - Chilapa, Guerrero, Mexico,20th centurywood, oil paint,boar teeth and bristle, mirrors,(9 1/4" w. x 8" d. x 13 1/2" h.)

African masks are used in intricate religious ceremonies as a way to conjure or communicate with spirits or ancestors. Visually and aesthetically speaking, masks will differ not only from culture to culture, but also in the intended purpose of each mask. http://www.africanheritageculturalcenter.org/african-masks.html

Spirit Mask City / Site: Kandingai Viliage, Middle Sepik Copy right: © PNG HANDCRAFT EXPORTS Web site: http://pnghandcrafts.8k.com/ab-masks.html

Venetian Carnival MaskCarnival is a Christian celebration before the fasting period of Lent (40 day period before Easter)

PHANTOM OF THE PALAZZO DUCALE Date: 1995-1996 Style: Carnival Site / City: Venice

Other sources of inspiratonGrotesque: Since at least the 18th century, grotesque

has come to be used as a general adjective for the strange, fantastic, ugly, incongruous, unpleasant, or disgusting. It defies the notions of art as beautiful.

http://www.theofantastique.com/2010/05/18/gary-varner-gargoyles-grotesques-and-green-men/

Gargoyles of Notre Dame, Paris, France

Surreal: art movement that started in early 20th century; combined

unconscious (dream) images with the conscious world (real)

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Oaxacan Wood Carvings: Fantastical wood carvings of animals from villages in

Oaxaca, Mexico. Although these are carved in wood, the

decorative painting and whimsical quality may inspire you.

Cheerful cat carving by Aurora Sosa by artist of San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca.  

http://www.mexican-folk-art-guide.com/Oaxacan-wood-carvings.html

Damian Morales

Luis Pablo

Student work in-progress

armature

in progress: http://wvartist.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/the-big-head-project/

Student work

Relevant Art Elements and Principles

• Shape• Form• Color• Proportion (exaggerated or realistic)• Balance• Unity• Variety

Other relevant terms:

• Expressive• Surreal• Grotesque• Paper Mache• Armature• Assemblage

Websites:

• http://web.archive.org/web/20031211111954/http://www.mpm.edu/collect/mask.html

• http://gallery.sjsu.edu/masks/Imagesfram.html

• http://gallery.sjsu.edu/masks/Masksfram.html