Mask Project
When asked to create a mask that portrays myself and gives the wearer a sense of what it feels like to be in my place, I decided to focus on the fragile, sensitive aspect of my personality. I feel as though a am a gentle and sensitive person at heart and I often feel vulnerable when I open up to others or allow my sensitive side to be revealed, and I wanted to use the mask to show this personality trait of mine. I decided to use thin fragile materials to convey this idea of fragility and vulnerability to both the viewer and the wearer of the mask. The mask is also shaped like the skull of a doe. A deer, especially a doe, is a symbol of gentleness, fragility, kindness, and creativity–all of which are characteristics that I possess. I also decided on a skull as a metaphor of my insides being revealed and to give off a dark feeling for the viewer, as this mask is representative of my darker emotional side, which is unlike the bright happy side of myself which I show the world more often. The viewer’s face is covered almost completely by the mask, especially the eyes, to create a sense of vulnerability and insecurity for the wearer, as well as to hide the wearer’s outer face from the viewer, turning the focus toward the face of the deer skull.
This the wire frame of the deer skull mask on which I attached the tissue paper mache.
This is the mask after I added the thin layer of tissue paper with paper mache.
Finally I added detail in the nose, which further obstructs the wearer’s face from the viewer.
Brainstorming and sketchbook work:
