MASKS What are they & who wears them?

Party Masks – people have enjoyed dressing up in masks for thousands of years

In the 18 th century fashionable people bought their masks from mask makers

They wore them to parties – to misbehave So masks became associated with deception

People could pretend they were strangers

Although it’s unlikely that they didn’t recognise each other!

Venetian Carnival Masks In Venice they still dress up as they did In the 18 th century – for carnival

A much more convincing disguise!

Masks are also used for political protest

Some politicians have tried to ban them!

In the past masks were made from the faces of the dead

Classical masks representing Tragedy & Comedy Masks were very important in early European theatre

Greek & Roman masks were made from wood – so none have survived. This is carved from stone.

Theatre at Epidaurus – seen from above

Scene from Antigone - by Sophocles All the parts were played by men – women were forbidden from acting in the plays & even from watching them.

The chorus

Noh Theatre of Japan

This is an ancient art form which is still practised

The moves - & the masks – are passed on from generation to generation

Spirit Masks

Masks from Senegal in Africa

Many tribal people believe that the spirits of gods, ancestors and animals can live in a mask

They believe that by putting on a mask they can become that spirit, god or animal the mask represents

The dancer goes into a deep trance…

…and sometimes threatens the crowd.

Mask shop for tourists Many of these ‘spirit’ masks are now owned by collectors and are worth a lot of money

Native American owl mask Native American tribes have similar beliefs

A Seneca Indian’s fertility mask

Mexican girl/fertility mask Mexican masks combine Catholicism with pagan pre-Christian beliefs

Mexican carnival mask (sun god)

Mexican mask for death – or is it life?

Day of the Dead

Burmese masks – displayed in a Buddhist temple

Cambodian masks – of devils and animal spirits

Masks made by children

Arab women in Dubai

Is make-up a mask?

Make-up has been worn for 1,000’s of yrs

Make-up has been worn for thousands of years Egyptian Queen Nefertiti

Horus was the eye of protection – a good luck charm

Make-up has been worn by men and women for a long time. Does it hide our true feelings or help us express them?

And the hijab – does it hide who you are or express it?

Make-up & mask. The truth or a lie?

Does an actor hide behind a mask?

Or – does it allow the true self to come out?

? ? What do you think?

Now is the time to find out !