Mask CultureTheatre Greek Italian Japan Korean Chinese Opera

Greek TheatreGreek Theatre Thalia, the muse of comedy & Melpomene, the muse of tragedy

Greek Theatre 5 th Century BC Comedy & Tragedy Big eyes and mouth Exaggerated expression Project broad emotions (happiness, sadness, anger) to audience from great distance Change of characters (Performance limited to 3 actors)

Roman Times Stylized – Grotesque - Fantastic

Commedia-dell-arte 16 th – 18 th Century Inspired Venetian Masks for the Carnival – the Mardi Gras

Characterization Zanni Zanni originates from Giovanni, a typical name of servants in Italy. The role of Zanni is very changeable; silly, simple-minded and vulgar. Zanni can also be sly, cunning and cheeky. Zanni is always poor and hungry.

Noh Classical Japanese Theatre  Performed since the 14 th century  Tradition more than innovation  Influenced more dramatic form of theatre such as the Kabuki  Only SHITE, the main character, wears the mask  Masks are used to represent female or non-human characters (deities, demons, animals)

Characterization Deigan  Expression of a middle-aged woman  Deeply devoted to a loved one

Characterization Hannya  Horns and sharp fangs are characteristic of a demon.  Demon who is transformed from a woman because of jealousy and anger.  Hannya seeks vengence

 Extravagant masks for deities or monsters  Uses body language to express emotions  Medium expression  Subtle  Versatile; can express a number of emotions by tilting the masks / adjusting the lighting

Korean T’alKorean T’al  Masks are grotesque, exaggerated and use dark and bright colors to suit performance at night by wood fires.  Red, black, white colors are favored.  Most of the masks depict human faces but some represent deities and animals.  An interesting feature is that the masks of yangban, the upper class gentlemen, are almost always deformed: a lopsided mouth, a distorted nose or squint eyes. ( a reflection of the commoners' hostility toward the privileged class )

Chinese OperaChinese Opera  One of the oldest known dramatic art forms worldwide  Chinese opera masks are significant in a way that they represent the characters’ personalities and intense moods.  Opera masks are also used to represent various human emotions which leads to the “changing face” technique. (frequent on-stage change of facial expression)

Characterization Cao Cao  The white face is common on the stage for the powerful villain.  It highlights all that is bad in human nature: cunning, craftiness, and treachery.  Cao Cao, powerful and cruel prime minister in the time of the Three Kingdoms / Qin Hui, treacherous Song Dynasty prime minister who put the national hero YueFei to death

Masks in TheatreMasks in Theatre  Traditionally, masks were used for practical reasons: - for audience to see the expressions of actor/actress to be seen from a great distance - for a change of characters throughout the performance  Later, masks allow for the creative interpretation of characters - the colors, lines and shapes become symbolic and meaningful - stock character (stereotypical fictional characters) can also be represented

Mask CultureTheatre Greek Italian Japanese Korean Chinese Aztec Egyptian Indian African Polynesian

The Aztecs (Mexico)The Aztecs (Mexico)

The EgyptiansThe Egyptians

The IndiansThe Indians

Balinese MaskBalinese Mask

African war maskAfrican war mask

Polynesian Tiki MaskPolynesian Tiki Mask

Masks and CultureMasks and Culture - Performance and dance (Harvest dance) - Religious rituals (Initiation rites) - Death mask