Creating Kaszubian Mask

On our last lessons we were discussing the differences between plagiarism and inspiration. Plagiarism is copying someone else work, while inspiration is creating something new which has visible signs showing connection with someone else work. We also made projects of Kaszebian inspired mask. You can see my project below:

Unfortunately the background of the mask was chosen badly so the Kaszebian pattern are not visible.

ASIAN MASKS

Asian masks and cultures are strongly influenced by Indian culture. It make all Asian masks similar, but with some differences.

Indonesian people used masks in dancing rituals. Dancers were said to be interpreters of gods or just spirits of ancestors. Different case is Hudoq dance, in which masks represented nature.

China is very old empire so mask come from ancient times. In old caves, in Chine, it is possible to find portrays of people wearing masks. As China developed the role of mask changed. They were used in rituals, mask were supposed to protect person wearing mask from evil spirits.

In Korea masks originated from warriors, they and their horses wear masks for protection. Masks were also used in rituals.

In Japan mask firstly appeared in prehistoric myths and then moved to theatre. One example is bugaka.

Bibliography:

1. http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-indonesian-mask-image6211974

2. http://mymasks.wordpress.com/category/uncategorized/

3. http://asianhistory.about.com/od/arthistoryinasia/ss/KoreanMasks_3.htm

AFRICAN MASKS

In African culture masks were used as a part of costumes during ceremonies. Wearing masks during all rituals was crucial. Every mask had symbolic meaning and represented spirit of dead. Person who wore it made an attempt to control evil forces by recalling spirits from mask. African masks usually presents animals, it means the closeness to the nature.

The mask makers were provided with the respect among tribe. Symbols on the masks had deeper meaning so mask makers had to have great knowledge about his job. Mask are made from wood. There are two main reasons why wood. The first one is that it is easy to get and the other is that people from Africa believed that trees had souls, so before cutting down they had to give sacrifices to the trees. Masks were decorated with geometrical patterns.

Examples of African masks:

1)

2)

3)

Bibliography:

1. http://sprott.physics.wisc.edu/pickover/mask.htm

EUROPEAN MASKS

Masks in Europe exist even before the first culture, which is Greek one. This first masks represented wild animals. Two most popular types of masks in Europe are ancient and venetian masks.

VENICE:

In Venice masks were made for people to wear during carnival. Mask makers were on the top of the society leader. During medival ages Venice was one of the most economically developed city and societies. Wearing masks moved from the carnival to the whole year period, it made everyone equal. Catholic church banned wearing mask, but after some time it was reintroduced and allowed for the three months period – carnival. The mask were made by mascheraties and were made from paper and wax cloth. Venetians mask can be divided into:

1. Bauta
   
   
   
2. Columbina
   
   
   
3. Medico della Peste
   
   
   
4. Servette Muta
   
   
   
5. Volto
   
   
   

ANCIENT MASKS:

Ancient masks were created for theatre needs, they presented opposite feelings like happiness and sadness. Greece, where masks were used, worshipped several gods. One was Dionysius, in his worship the plays with use of masks were made.

Bibliography:

1.http://blog.naver.com/PostView.nhn?blogId=missko888&logNo=70123758378&viewDate=&currentPage=1&listtype=0

2. http://www.quirao.com/en/p/world-art/venetian-masks-/19819/colombina-ibiz-440.htm

3. http://theglobefair.blogspot.com/2011/12/carnevale.html

4.http://www.venetianmasquerademasks.co.uk/venetianmaskshop/prod_1141646-Leather-Moretta-mask-in-black.html

5.http://www.quirao.com/en/p/world-art/venetian-masks-/1433/party-volto-butterfly-1433.htm

6.http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/interactives/greece/theater/playersProps.html

MASK COMPARISON

Through the history of the world many cultures developed differently, but in most cultures one factor was the same, masks. In Europe, Asia and Africa masks were important issue in cultures.

For me two most amazing masks are these from Asia and Africa.

Both Asian and African originated from specific rituals and in both cultures someone who wore the mask was also connecting with the spirits of dead. In Asia masks were, later on, used in dances and theaters. African masks usually represents animal faces, that symbolises the connection with nature, while the Asian masks mostly presents human faces. Masks in Asia are made from a number of different materials such as: clay, dry lacquer, cloth, paper and wood, while in Africa they are only made from wood, it is because Africans believe that wood has soul in itself, often before cutting down they make sacrifices. African masks are decorated with geometrical patterns whereas Asian ones are decorated with facial patterns. 

Example of African mask:

Example of Asian mask:

Biblography:

1. http://www.yoshinoantiques.com/newsletters/Masks.pdf

2. http://www.africantreasures.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=maskafrica00032 - picture

3. http://www.nysun.com/pics/6972.jpg  - picture