1. Mask making

2. Why Do Humans make masks?

3. Japanese Noh masks, by Toshizane
Japanese Masks
2. Hannya, Japanese Noh mask, artist:Toshizane, the hannya mask with its horns and sharp fangs is probably the best known fo all Noh masks. The mask expresses the fury of a woman turned demon through jealousy and anger and who revenges by attacking.
3. Obeshimi, Japanese Noh mask, by Toshizane. This is a demon mask and face of the mythical tengu. Beshimi means mouth clamped firmly shut. Thus, in spite of the obstinate expression humor and bluster are manifested
Japanese Noh masks, by Toshizane

4. Asymmetrical Mask,1875,Eskimo
Alaskan Masks
Yup’ik Alaskan Masks
mask 1 For many generations the Yup’ik people of Alaska have created beautifully expressive masks for their traditional dances and ceremonies. Over the long winter darkness dances and storytelling took place in the qasgiq (traditional men’s house) using these masks. This is a Nepcetaq (shaman mask) with face peering through a triangular shield, painted red, white, and black. Ten feathers are bent through holes in the upper rim and sewn in place.
Photos: Barry McWayne
mask 2Asymmetrical Mask ca Eskimo, Alaska glazed brick 45 1/2 X 65 3/4 inches painted wood, feathers Purchase: Friends Fund .
Yup’ik Shaman mask
Asymmetrical Mask,1875,Eskimo

5. Carnival Masks of Puerto Rico Paper-mache masks
Carnivals are of ancient origin and virtually all peoples in all eras have organized carnivals to mark or celebrate different events. Carnivals can be magical, political, satirical, or purely entertaining; some even poke fun at death. In much of Puerto Rico and other parts of the world with a strong Roman Catholic presence, Carnaval has a special meaning. It refers to the last days before the beginning of Lent. In Puerto Rico, Carnaval begins on February 2 and lasts until Ash Wednesday, which is forty days before Easter.
In many carnivals, masks are key ingredients of the public spectacle. Some elements of carnival in Ponce, including the use of papier-maché masks, probably came to the island from Spain. Other customs may have come from African and Native American traditions
Paper-mache masks

6. The Mask as Transformer of Personality
The word “person” comes from the Latin word persona meaning mask. A mask allows the wearer to adopt a new personality or identity with its own unique mannerisms and behaviors. This use of the mask is evident in all parts of the world and can be seen in both ancient and modern cultures.

7. Indonesian Masks
Mask dances in Bali probably came from ancient rituals that honor ancestors and gods of planting and harvests.

8. Religious Ceremonies or Celebrations Chinese New Year
Many cultures create masks for religious ceremonies or celebrations.
The person in the mask transforms into an important part of the ceremony.
Chinese New Year

9. The Mask as Preserver of Personality
Nowadays we take millions of photographs and
countless feet of video to preserve the memory of faces and places. We do this, in part, because we believe that the personalities, places and emotions recorded in these images will continue to live with us. Historically, others have had this feeling too. People have long tried to preserve the personalities of the dead, especially if the deceased possessed great wisdom, physical strength, or power.

10. The Mask of King Tut
Egyptians made masks to put on the mummified bodies of the dead. This mask was believed to strengthen the spirit of the mummy and guard the soul from evil spirits on its way to the afterworld. 

11. Protection
Medicinal
Decoration
Entertainment
Collection
Disguise

12. Masks
"Masks have the ability to conceal, change, or transform the 'person' behind the image into something or someone else.”

13. African Masks

14. African Masks
People in Africa have made masks for a long time. Archaeologists have found masks from the Palaeolithic Period, between 200, 000 and 2.5 million years ago!

15. African Masks
African masks are made from leather, metal, and many types of wood.
Masks are worn in 3 ways:
Vertically covering the face
Covering the whole head like a helmet
Resting on top of the head

16. African Masks
During celebrations, times of harvest, initiations, preparation for war, peace, and troubled time, African people wear masks to honour the occasion.

17. African Masks
Rituals and ceremonies are always accompanied with song, dance, and music played with traditional African musical instruments.

18. African Masks ~ Reflection
Why and when are masks worn by African people?
What do African masks tell us about the people who wear them?
What story can a mask tell?
How do masks help the wearers to become something or someone different?

19. Indonesian Masks

20. Indonesian Masks
Indonesia is on the other side of the world, south of Asia and north of Australia.
The Island of Bali is one of 18,000 islands that make up the country.

21. Indonesian Masks People from Bali carve elaborate masks using wood.
Horsehair is used for moustaches and beards, and glass or mirrors may be used for eyes.

22. Indonesian Masks
Most people in Bali practice Hinduism. One belief of Hindus is that everything has a soul: the rain, the winds, the rocks, and even masks.

23. Indonesian Masks ~ Reflections
Why and when are masks worn by Indonesian people?
What do Indonesian masks tell us about the people who wear them?
What story can a mask tell?
How do masks help the wearers to become something or someone different?

24. First Nation Masks

25. First Nation Masks
First Nation masks often represent the spirit of creatures, animals and myths.

26. First Nation Masks
First Nation masks are often made out of driftwood, animal skins, bones and feathers.

27. First Nation Masks
When used in ceremonies, First Nation dancers take on the spirit of the creatures that the masks represent and enter the supernatural world during the dance.

28. First Nation Masks
Why and when are masks worn by First Nation’s people?
What do First Nation masks tell us about the people who wear them?
What story can a mask tell?
How do masks help the wearers to become something or someone different?

29. Venetian Masks

30. VENetian Masks
In the Medieval era of Italy, people felt that they could not be themselves and that their freedom was taken away by religion. In order to participate in activities that were not allowed, people were masks to hide their identity.

31. VENetian Masks
Because the masks benefitted the city, they became legal to wear. The masks allowed people (young and old, poor and rich) to do business that they might not have done if people knew their identity.

32. VENetian Masks
Using bright colours, sequins, and feathers, todays masks are used for celebrations and masquerade balls.
They are made from clay or papier-mache with a layer of plaster.

33. VENetian Masks Why and when are masks worn by Venetian people?
What do Venetian masks tell us about the people who wear them?
What story can a mask tell?
How do masks help the wearers to become something or someone different?

34. Egyptian Mummification34

35. Egyptian Mummification
Two stages to mummifying a body:
Embalming the body (taking out the blood)
Wrapping and burial of body 35

36. Mask of Tuya
Khonsu’s Burial
Mask
Egyptian masks

37. Egyptian Mummification
Why and when are face-coverings worn by Egyptian people?
What does the mummification process tell us about the people believed in it?
What story can a face-covering tell?
How does a face-covering help the wearers to become something or someone different? 37

38. More about Mummification
More about Mummification 38

39. Students will create a mask using one of the following materials:
Clay
Plaster gauze
Paper Mache
The theme of the mask should considered:
Religious, Self-reflection, Disguise, Ceremonial,
Decorational, etc.
Assignment Objective