Mask Makers Web

West Coast Native Indian Art incorporates the use of design and legends to create a unique look unique any other art form in the world. It is strongly characterized by even distribution of weight and movement, so space-filling using traditional forms and legendary figures is an important principle of this art ......... the curve of a fin, may become the beak of a bird whose eye will contain a spirit design and so on. Although traditional ovoid shapes, eye, claw and feather shapes are used, each individual artist incorporates these shapes to his own advantage along with some of his own designs to create unique pieces of art which distinguish his work from others. The symbols of the Native Cultures of the northwest have similar meanings, although the legends associated with them may be slightly different. These explanations are meant to be a guide to a better understanding of what each symbol stands for.

Added on: May 31, 2002 | Hits: 25693

Of major importance in Kwakiutl myth, Komokwa was King of the Undersea World, Master and Protecter of the Seals, who were a symbol of wealth. His name means "Wealthy One", and he ruled from a great, rich house under the water. His house contained great wealth in blankets, coppers, and other treasures. Many human supplicants of legendary history tried to reach this kingdom and those ancestral heroes who achieved their goal became wealthy and powerful, returning to their home village with magical boxes full of treasure

Added on: May 31, 2002 | Hits: 15791

On Tindale's 1953 trip to north west Western Australia he collected a number of tin masks from Port Hedland, in the Pilbara. These ceremonial masks, made from recycled tin, reflect the creative power of Aboriginal cultures.

Added on: May 31, 2002 | Hits: 16043

Australian aboriginals

Added on: May 31, 2002 | Hits: 16062

Spanish tradition. site in Spanish

Added on: Jun 03, 2002 | Hits: 15271

These are marble and stone depictions of Greek masks. The originals were made from leather.An actor contemplates his mask. Note the color and appearance of a wig. Depiction of life backstage

Added on: Jun 10, 2002 | Hits: 15652

The large size of the theater (in its final form it seated 20,000 people) and the distance of even the nearest spectators from the performers (more than 10 meters) dictated a non-naturalistic approach to acting. All gestures had to be large and definite so as to 'read' from the back rows. Facial expression would have been invisible to all but the closest members of the audience; the masks worn by the actors looked more 'natural' than bare faces in the TDA. The masks of tragedy were of an ordinary, face-fitting size, with wigs attach and open mouths to allow clear speech. Contrary to some later theories, there were no 'megaphones' in the masks, and their decoration and expression was quite subtle, as vase paintings from the 5th and 4th centuries demonstrate.

Added on: Jun 13, 2002 | Hits: 15888

Beautiful masks here. Online sale. " Shop Masks " Masks are powerful receptacles of wandering spirits, the divine and the demonic. For thousands of years masks have been used for rituals, protection and entertainment purposes and are considered sacred objects. Masked dramas, puppet shows, operas and ballets are vehicles of religious teachings in the Indonesian culture. Elaborate dance dramas use masks to bring to life mythological figures. Masked dramas may be performed to appease witches or gods to appeal for their support. Masked dancers are believed to possess the spirits of the mask. The spectacular dance tradition in Bali consists of four traditional drams. The Wayang Wong is drawn from Hindu legends dramatizing the Ramayana and the Mahabhrata. The Barong is a dance that expels evil spirits from villages it involves giant puppets and animals that are seen as protectors. The Topeng or masked theater tells stories of ancient kingdoms and provides a visual for people to relate to their ancestors and the Calonarang which is a call to appease and get the support of Durga, the Queen of witches and Goddess of death.

Added on: Jun 15, 2002 | Hits: 25017

For centuries, in Java - Indonesia has used mask in a dance performance, such as in Joho ancient inscription in 840 ACC. In the book of Negara Kertagama, during the reign of Prabu Hayam Wuruk, the king of Majapahit Kingdom, in XIV century, the word "rakot", was used to refer to a mask performance. It means that people have been making mask since long ago. Mask dance has grown up particularly in Java and Bali because of the demand at that time. Nowadays, we often see a mask dance. To make mask for a dance performance, people must consider the figure who will use it. In the development, the mask is also made for souvenir with a variety of color and size. Beside as a dance property, mask can also be used as a decoration, e,g. Candle and holder lamp etc. The new and innovative models are created according to the market demand. In making a mask, people use carving technique to form the character and decoration on it. The material to make mask is softwood which is easily carved, e,g. "Pule" or "Waru" wood.

Added on: Jun 20, 2002 | Hits: 17698

The Bwa (or Bobo Red) and Nuna live in the dry savannah land of central Burkina Faso. Like other peoples in this area, the Bwa and Nuna seek the help of powerful spirits who live in the wild forests, bush country, and rivers surrounding their villages. Wishing to control these forces and enlist their help against the powers of destruction, the Bwa and Nuna create masks that make the spirits visible and put them in touch with the people

Added on: Jul 03, 2002 | Hits: 20950

Efter kristendommens indf?relse er maskens form?l reduceret til blot at skr?mme b?rn, n?r de tr?ngte til at blive sat lidt p? plads og senere endnu som rene turistobjekter. Hvor de gamle masker kunne udtrykke begge k?n i samme maske, fremstilles masker nu ofte som par.

Added on: Jul 07, 2002 | Hits: 15774

Emnearbejde fra Vokslev friskole Gr?nlandske masker kendes hovedsageligt fra ?stgr?nland i et omfang som g?r, at der her er tale om en egentlig maskekultur. Der findes kun f? eksempler p? masker fra Vestgr?nland og her er det kunstneriske udtryk et helt andet.

Added on: Jul 07, 2002 | Hits: 15782

Casting Characters -Khmer Mask-making in the workshop of An Sok Surrounded by slanted rooftops and spacious views of the city, the family patriarch An Sok is usually seen hard at work. Walking through the studio, the visitor slowly realizes that the odd football-shaped cement forms lying on the ground are moulds for the faces of the characters of the Reamker, the Khmer version of the Ramagana.

Added on: Jul 19, 2002 | Hits: 25237

+ 3 photos Tibetan drama, "Ajilam" in Tibetan language, is an important art of Tibet's brilliant culture and is also a most precious treasure of Chinese dramas. Tibetan drama is a favorable traditional dramatic art of the Tibetans. In the ancient folk religious dance of "jiangme", masks appeared, which is a sign of transition from the religious dance to drama. Masks play a great part in the formation of Tibetan drama.

Added on: Jul 20, 2002 | Hits: 15727

2 part article By Thomas Murray Photography by Don Tuttle Part I: Tribal and Shamanic masks. Part II: The Spread of Buddhism

Added on: Jul 20, 2002 | Hits: 22640

CONFERENCE IN IRELAND APRIL 2003 (Also frontpage story july 2002 )

Added on: Jul 25, 2002 | Hits: 16391

Artist; self-taught Mesoamerican scholar and ethnographer of the arts and crafts of Indian Mexico. Born 1907 in Detroit, Michigan; died August 30, 1978 in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Cordry studied at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, and later earned a reputation as an expert on puppets, which he both created and collected. He began collecting artifacts and information documenting Mexican Indian arts and crafts in 1931, on a trip to Mexico. He formed professional associations with the Heye Foundation (now the Museum of the American Indian), which sponsored further trips, and with the Southwest Museum in Los Angeles, California. In 1941 Cordry traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico, and in 1942 founded a crafts workshop there to finance his expeditions to collect and record ethnographic data. He later relocated to Mixcoac, in Mexico City, and Cuernavaca, but kept his home in Mexico and pursued the documentation of its arts and crafts until his death. Publications include: Mexican Indian Costumes (1968) and Mexican Masks (c1980).

Added on: Jul 28, 2002 | Hits: 21151

German site

Added on: Jul 28, 2002 | Hits: 15862

Kalarte Gallery: Latin America

Added on: Aug 05, 2002 | Hits: 15944

Masks for Kolam mask dance drama. A tourist site.

Added on: Aug 10, 2002 | Hits: 14925

The Carnival festivities end up with the Funeral of the Mask, (a parody of funeral). The corpse, is the Carnival King, and many mourning "relatives" follow the procession. The whole spectacle is hilarious.

Added on: Aug 28, 2002 | Hits: 24987

Many foreigners in Greece seem to think they invented the drunken, riotous celebration, forgetting that Greece is the home of Dionysus, the god of wine. A trip to more "Greek" areas shows that his legacy is in no danger of dying out. At country fairs and patron saint festivals, piety is mixed with pleasure in rituals that descend pre-Christian days, when gods were honored with feasting, dancing and orgies (even today, Greek villages typically experience mini baby booms nine months after a big feast day!). These festivals are great occasions to find villages with their tourist traps disarmed, ready to welcome visitors into the infectious celebrations. Wine and beans are doled out, bandstands are set up in front of churches and the old ways come alive through music, dancing and other rituals. Many of these festivals take place at the very ruins where the original rituals began; what better way to experience the culture and the architecture than at an out of control festival!

Added on: Aug 28, 2002 | Hits: 15632

+ 2 photos of masked dancers Boulles is a folk ritual which takes place once a year in Naoussa, Makedonia. It is believed that it originates in ancient Greek celebrations for the coming of Spring. All the dancers are male. They are wearing the traditional foustanella with special additions for the ritual: a breast plate covered with coins, a scarf tied around the waist, a mask and a large scarf covering the head. The picture below shows Boulla - a male dancer in woman's clothes. Boulla represents the Spring (Persephone of the ancient myths), which explains the flowers decorating the veil.

Added on: Aug 28, 2002 | Hits: 25849

Very nice collection

Added on: Aug 28, 2002 | Hits: 15847

Many beautiful masks displayed here: "Over the centuries, the many ethnic groups that populate the Himalayas have produced a myriad of fascinating masks. presented together, they evoke the spirit of the ancient cultures of this region of the world. While the classical art of the Himalayas (bronze, wood, and stone sculptures as well as murals and paintings on cloth) has been acquired by western museums and is recoqnized for its quality and richness through publications, the art of the Himalayan mask is just beginning to be discovered." Eric Chazot, 1990.

Added on: Aug 30, 2002 | Hits: 15054