This was the first step in this process, sketching out my idea. In my Avatar Seminar class we were told to create a paper mask based on a specific childhood memory. I chose to make my mask based on my memory of second grade. I had moved to Virginia and was the only black child in class so for this reason I felt like an outcast, and all I ever wanted to do was hide. So I came up with the idea to create a mask that would “hide” me. I made the decision to give this mask this specific texture because often time in class I would sit by myself by the window. I distinctly remember the blinds always being open. So to mimic the shape of Venetian blinds I decided to incorporate horizontal pieces paper.
Step one of the construction process, which was cutting out strips of paper and making them thicker as I went along.
Step number two in my construction process was taking a thick piece of Bristol paper that was measured to my face, then taping the cut out srips of paper horizontaly to abstractly represent me sitting in front of the Venetian blinds , and hiding from my classmates .
This is my mask in its final state. It abstractly represents my childhood memory of second grade, it covers the whole face to represent how I wanted to hide, and the textured strips of horizontal paper represent my memory of sitting in front of the blinds away from my classmates.
