Mask Makers Web

In a small suburb south-east of Mexico City live Delfino Castillo Alonso and his wife Angela Torres de Castillo. They both create a unique type of masks work used for the Charro or Country Gentleman carnival. Mr. Castillo carries on a tradition passed down from his great grandfather to his grandfather and to Mr. Castillo of making masks out of wax. The masks are primarily worn by Carnival masqueraders in small towns around Mexico City and the State of Mexico. The masks are primarily used for the Traje (Suit) de Charro or de Ledita. Technique: The masks are made out of wax formed over plaster of Paris mold. The process begins by placing 3 layers of starched cotton cloth (manta) over the plaster mold. Then the cotton layer is painted pink with a forchina powder to attain the color of the skin. The painted cloth mask is then let to dry for 5 hours under the sun. Ingot bee wax is melted and poured over the cloth mask. This particular and unique technique allows for a very realistic facial features of the mask. The masks are enhanced with detail painting around the eyes, cheeks and forehead. The addition of eyebrows, mustaches, and beards made from ixtle (agave fiber) and horse's tail to create different characters such as the Charros. The mask has gold teeth. The dancer attaches the mask to his face using the color ribbon in the mask forehead.

Category: Maskmakers / Other materials - latex - mixed media etc.

Added on: Jan 30, 2001 | Hits: 13511