Masks
Like robots and other AI beings, masks sit in the 'uncanny valley' - that borderline between human and machine/ object, that both fascinates us and makes us uneasy when we look at them.
International Mask Arts and Culture Organisation
Creative Covid masks
thanks about - masks for wearing (and ritual they're used in vs masks as scultptures for aestheic functions.
Make up as mask - images of beauty
ideas of anonymity
International Mask Arts and Culture Organisation
Creative Covid masks
thanks about - masks for wearing (and ritual they're used in vs masks as scultptures for aestheic functions.
Make up as mask - images of beauty
ideas of anonymity
Cultural aspects of masks
You may also wish to explore some of the cultural traditions which use masks during specific celebrations:
- Venice - Carnival - this is the pre-Easter celebration what datres back to medieval times. The masks most commonly associated with Venice are full or partial face masks, usually worn with lavish C18th-inspired costumes
- Mexico - Day of the dead
- Austria - Krampusnacht (look at Jamie Cameron's artwork)
- America - Halloween
- China - New Year
Venice - Carnival
This is the pre-Easter celebration what dates back to medieval times and can be seen on pretty much any Italian tourist brochure. The masks most commonly associated with Venice are colourful full or partial face masks, usually worn with lavish headresses and C18th-inspired or renaissance-inspired costumes. They are usually based on jester or animal shapes and generally emphasise beauty and exoticism (feathers, jewels, intricate embellishments) over creepiness. If you're into these types of masks, you may also want to research the Commedia dell'arte theatrical tradition.
Worldwide impact: The Venetian carnival tradition has also influenced South American (esp. Rio's Mardi Gras) Carnivale traditions and many of the costumes worn in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras are inspired by these cultural events.
This is the pre-Easter celebration what dates back to medieval times and can be seen on pretty much any Italian tourist brochure. The masks most commonly associated with Venice are colourful full or partial face masks, usually worn with lavish headresses and C18th-inspired or renaissance-inspired costumes. They are usually based on jester or animal shapes and generally emphasise beauty and exoticism (feathers, jewels, intricate embellishments) over creepiness. If you're into these types of masks, you may also want to research the Commedia dell'arte theatrical tradition.
Worldwide impact: The Venetian carnival tradition has also influenced South American (esp. Rio's Mardi Gras) Carnivale traditions and many of the costumes worn in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras are inspired by these cultural events.
Mexico - Day of the dead
The Mexican Day of the Dead is a day where families celebrate relatives who have passed away. It is a day of public parades and private altars, with colourful costumes, including masks and mask-like make up. Masks usually reference skulls and skeletons, but in fanciful rather than macabre way - bright colours, flowers and swirling designs dominate.
The Mexican Day of the Dead is a day where families celebrate relatives who have passed away. It is a day of public parades and private altars, with colourful costumes, including masks and mask-like make up. Masks usually reference skulls and skeletons, but in fanciful rather than macabre way - bright colours, flowers and swirling designs dominate.
Austria - Krampusnacht
Krampusnacht has recently become more well known as american consumerism has picked up the festival - with little of the original context. In Austrian Christmas tradition, St Nicholas (Santa) is accompanied by a wild demon who punishes bad children (usually by hitting them with a with a stick) while he rewards good children with presents. Masks were usually made of wood, with long horns, and costumes were made from sheep or goatskins. The masks evoke traditional European representations of the devil - with goatish beards or pointed chins, long horns, deeply wrinkled skin and far too many teeth. they may also be disproportionately large for the wearer's body. More commercial masks may have much more in common with fantasy game villains than traditional representations of the devil.
Krampusnacht has recently become more well known as american consumerism has picked up the festival - with little of the original context. In Austrian Christmas tradition, St Nicholas (Santa) is accompanied by a wild demon who punishes bad children (usually by hitting them with a with a stick) while he rewards good children with presents. Masks were usually made of wood, with long horns, and costumes were made from sheep or goatskins. The masks evoke traditional European representations of the devil - with goatish beards or pointed chins, long horns, deeply wrinkled skin and far too many teeth. they may also be disproportionately large for the wearer's body. More commercial masks may have much more in common with fantasy game villains than traditional representations of the devil.
Chinese new year
Masks are an important part of Chinese New Year from lion masks worn by parade dancers to revellers who wear dragon (and other) masks to invoke happiness and prosperity in the coming year. The dominant colour is red which signifies luck and prosperity. the masks range from simple face masks to complex sculptures on poles and gigantic heads large enough to conceal the dancer inside.
Masks are an important part of Chinese New Year from lion masks worn by parade dancers to revellers who wear dragon (and other) masks to invoke happiness and prosperity in the coming year. The dominant colour is red which signifies luck and prosperity. the masks range from simple face masks to complex sculptures on poles and gigantic heads large enough to conceal the dancer inside.
Contemporary artists using masks
There are many contemporary artists (esp performance artists and artists referencing indigenous cultural artifacts) who use masks in their work. I will add some of these artists here.
Jamie Cameron smiling disease
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Please note that the London Biennale is seeking artworks about masks as "morphic mirrors" by artists from around the world (as far as I can tell).