Masks

• Main Author: Brody, Davya
• Other Authors: Bell, Roberley, Lyons, Elizabeth, Stanitz, Mark
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 1997
• Subjects: Metals; Wood; NK4890.M37 B76 1997; Masks > Design and construction; Masks > Themes; motives; Yupik masks > Influence; Yupik
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1850/13505

'Masks' is a body of work which explores the concept of mask in a variety of ways. Masks have been around since prehistoric times. Their use and development has a rich visual and cultural history, "masks' draws from this history both for inspiration and for direction. The other concept of mask investigated in this body of work, is mask-as-metaphor. The word "mask" does not simply mean an object which covers one's face. It also implies blocking something out, covering something up or hiding behind something. The mask of a building, body armor, the way we want things to be seen, or the things we want to hide all these things things imply "mask". It is this idea of mask-as-metaphor which is the inspiration and the concept behind each of the masks I've made and the stories that accompany them. Therefore, 'Masks' is a conglomeration, a body of work which draws on the long history of masks for inspiration, but which explores it in a new direction. Each of the masks I've made is part of a story or anecdote. The stories are examples of the ways in which we humans define others and, in turn, are defined by what we do or the experiences we've had. Therefore, the masks are not merely visual objects - rather, they are icons which illustrate the stories. The stories are, in turn, not merely separate anecdotes, but are words which illustrate and define the metaphor.