Mask Makers Web

Commedia dell'Arte With its origins in Renaissance Italy (early 16th Century) the Commedia dell'Arte was one of the earliest forms of theatre as we know it today. Starting with traveling troupes of street performers donning masks to draw attention to themselves, these players soon teamed-up and started taking on more defined characters, and Commedia dell'Arte was born. Starting in Italy, troupes moved into all of Europe, influencing theatre in Spain, Holland, Germany, Austria, England, and especially, France.

Added on: May 11, 2002 | Hits: 2139

In Italian. A link collection. For those who speak Italian. Lots of info, description of characters and their origin..

Added on: Apr 26, 2001 | Hits: 2210

A commemorative site for Jacques Lecoq.

Added on: Apr 28, 2002 | Hits: 2664

Japanese Kyogen Kyogen movement is highly stylized and each movement is choreographed. Each posture, every walk and each piece of business is defined. the literal translation for Kyogen is "crazy words," and the accompanying dialogue is simple, direct and comically exaggerated.

Added on: May 11, 2002 | Hits: 2198

T?cuaro, Michoac?n, Mexico Very good article - with allround information about the Mexican mask tradition.

Added on: Sep 25, 2002 | Hits: 2752

Click on on Pulcinello for workshop information or on Arlequina to visit Judith's homepage.

Added on: Apr 09, 2001 | Hits: 2013

by Mary Lou Robertson (M.A., Anthropology, NIU) Khon masks comprise part of the costume of performers of the classical dance-drama of Thailand. The dance-drama is also known as "Khon." A Khon performance involves singing, dancing,acting, acrobatics, and music. Stories for the drama are based exclusively on the Ramakien, the Thai version of an Indian epic. The following paragraphs will elaborate on the masks, the types and symbolism, and various aspects of the Khon drama.

Added on: Feb 02, 2001 | Hits: 2265

In many of the dances, the head cover identifies the character being performed. The jeweled crown head-dresses (chada) that are worn are all much the same, but for the Khon, the mask is the character.

Added on: Dec 29, 2000 | Hits: 3202

Briefly about the traditions

Added on: Dec 28, 2000 | Hits: 2179

Brief article + photos

Added on: Apr 15, 2001 | Hits: 1935

Brief overview with character descriptions: Harlequin, Pantalone, Pulcinella, Dottore. Part of a site about the Venician Carnival.

Added on: Apr 09, 2001 | Hits: 2051

(french version) Lots of groups. La vocation principale de Lieux Publics est la cr?ation d'?v?nements artistiques et festifs dans les espaces libres et ouverts des villes. Ces cr?ations s'appuient sur la tradition des Arts de la Rue et exp?rimentent de nouvelles formes d'?criture et de composition ? l'?chelle des environnements urbains modernes. Le th??tre, la danse, la musique, les arts forains et de prouesses, les arts plastiques, l'audiovisuel et les effets sp?ciaux sont les disciplines constitutives des ?v?nements de Lieux publics. Chaque projet g?n?re une mise en sc?ne et une sc?nographie urbaine originale et sp?cifique au site investi.

Added on: Jan 04, 2001 | Hits: 3826

The African mask is not an objet d'art in itself, but neither is it a simple cultural or theatrical accessory. At the same time, the sculptor is not an "artist", but his function goes much further than that of a simple craftsman. The majority of the pieces on display radiate a beauty and strength which were admired by Braque, Picasso or Vlaminck, and the sculptors can only be considered as geniuses. The mask was traditionally used in Africa in the majority of ceremonies: feritility or initiation rites, religious or funeral celebrations, but also theatrical or comic performances often linked to the deepest ethnic myths. The mask confers on the person wearing it - for the duration of the ceremony - the essence and the powers of the spirits or ancestors it symbolizes. Secret societies, almost always composed of adult males, are simultaneously repositories and creators. The wearers of masks, sworn to secrecy, are subject to constraints and taboos which protect them from the dangerous magic powers of these objects

Added on: Mar 30, 2001 | Hits: 1930

Balinese masks (topeng) are seen most often in the scores of regular dance performances in special tourist venues all over southern Bali, as well as in resturants and hotels. For ritual purposes, the Balinese use masks most often when celebrating temple birthdays. With over 20,000 temples on Bali, each with a different birthday every 210 days, there is ample opportunity to see topeng in action. Masks are also displayed "officially" in processions and trance rituals. Sacred masks must be made from crocodile wood (pule), a tree that grows in cemeteries, the domain of the goddess Rangda. The whole tree isn't cut down. When the pule tree produces a knot, the maskmaker asks the spirit of the tree to be allowed to take the knot for a mask.

Added on: Jun 01, 2002 | Hits: 1961

http://www.mamuthonesmamoiada.it/Versione%20Inglese/MEDITERRANEAN%20MASK%20MUSEUM/Mediterranean%20Mask%20Museum.htm

Added on: Jun 18, 2001 | Hits: 1917

Art. in spanish. about mexican masks

Added on: Jun 03, 2002 | Hits: 1921

Prof. Michael Meschke a Member of the Executive Committee of the Union International de la Marionnette; a director and film maker; author of "In Search of Aesthetics for the Puppet Theatre" talks to Dr.Gautam Chatterjee at a lunch break during ?Mask? Seminar at New Delhi.

Added on: Jun 01, 2001 | Hits: 2179

Specializing in Custom Leather & Neoprene Theatre Masks for Commedia dell?Arte, Pro-Wrestling, Opera, Dance, Clowns, Fashion, Custom made masks, Clown Noses, specializes in molding leather, odd projects & Judaica and teaching workshops. Clients include, Big Apple Circus, Patch Adams, WWF, WWE ?Mankind?, Phantom of the Opera.

Added on: Oct 16, 2006 | Hits: 6359

Make a face to help restore the facade of The National Arts Club [15 Gramercy Park South, New York, NY 10003]. An October 19th Benefit offers a stylish "Evening in Venice" with a Carnevale mask exhibit and auction, the NYC debut of a Venetian play "The Serpent Woman" [La Donna Serpente] written by Carlo Gozzi and performed by the Pontine Movement Theatre, and Mionetto's Venetian wines to accompany an Italian buffet. Here's your chance to make a mask to help raise funds for a landmarked arts club AND score a neat portfolio credit [as well as a tax deduction] for being part of a group exhibit at The National Arts Club AND gain valuable media exposure. All masks accepted for this auction will be previewed at a PRESS CONFERENCE luncheon October 19, 2000 from 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM. Art, fashion, lifestyle, online, and broadcast media will be invited along with VIPs, mask donors, and sponsors. Any mask accepted for this juried exhibition will also admit the maskmaker to our Oct. 19th Benefit and our Oct. 30th Hallowe'en Benefit for FREE [a $200+ value]. There will also be prizes for the most beautiful mask, funniest mask, and the mask that attracts the highest auction bid. [You do not have to be present to collect a prize.]

Added on: Apr 02, 2001 | Hits: 1952

I first cast a basecast of my face. The second step is to build a mask on top of my face/basecast using various clays. Next the clay mask is removed from the basecast and decorated. The clay mask retains the imprint of my face on its underside while the front of the mask may look nothing like me. Each mask I create involves this cycle of connection and separation.

Added on: Apr 03, 2001 | Hits: 1964

Acting masked is a skill that in its own right separate from 'normal' acting. It is not a self evident thing. Once masked it is the actor's task to harness all the attributes the mask can offer a performance. Unfortunately, the literature on masked acting is not extensive nor is the best of it readily available. We want to here explore the subject of training actors for masked performance by relying on our own experiences and some key references.

Added on: Mar 20, 2001 | Hits: 2051

Topeng: Balinese Masked Dance Legong

Added on: May 11, 2002 | Hits: 2099

Jord, ild, vand, luft. Site in Danish. by John Jensen. opgave fra Sl?jdl?rerskolen.

Added on: Jul 24, 2002 | Hits: 1987

"When a masking ceremony was over special precautions had to be taken. Sources differ on exactly how these measures were carried out. It may have been necessary to protect some masks from human gaze, so as not to offend the spirits.18 Some say masks had to be guarded until they were discarded or else they might make mischief, such as knocking down other masks.19 Masks were sometimes burned,20 often taken to a place away from the village and allowed to go back into the earth, and sometimes given to children.21 "

Added on: May 21, 2002 | Hits: 2278

"The smell of candles and incense and chants in Pali combined to make the atmosphere sacred at an ancient ceremony held at the National Theater recently. With senous faces and attentive eyes, in the ceremony, with all attention centered on what was happening on stage. "

Added on: Dec 29, 2000 | Hits: 3423