Mask Exploration

The first mask that I chose was the “Hawk Mask.”  It is made out of and carved from wood.  The mask represents protective spirits that take animal form.  The site goes into detail about the geometric patterns that are on the wings that refer to their moral principles.  “The zigzag lines flanking the face signify the "path of the ancestors."”  This shows how the mask is very important to this group as a whole because it represents so much of their past, their knowledge, and protection. 

The second mask I chose was from Bolivia.  It is a Bolivian China Supay mask.  It is 14 inches long, fiber-glass, plaster, paper mache, paint, sequins and glitter.  It’s a human face that has large eyes, features on the face, and uses many different colors.  The emphasis on the mask is to the large features on the face.  That is the first thing you see and are brought to.  I chose this one simply for the use of colors.  I loved the variety.

The last mask that I chose was an animal spirit mask.  It is created by the Piaroa-Huarime people in the Orinoko River region in Venezuela.  It is 12 inches long, basketry covered with beeswax and mud, bark cloth hood.   “This mask probably represents the marmoset, a small simian which is believed to have a special affinity toward men.”  When this mask is used while dancing, the stripes make it look animated. 

I used play-dough to create my mask.  I just rolled it out and cut out a circle.  I used small glasses to cut out the eyes.  For the mouth, I originally wanted to do teeth but then I just did a straight line and I thought it wouldn’t look right.  My mask kind of turned into a “zombie” looking mask which isn’t what I expected but that’s okay.  I used shape in my mask and maybe there is emphasis on the eyes.