I collect masks. I'm not sure what it is but ever since I was a kid I have always been intrigued by the idea of transformingones identity. That is why I love masks. Perhaps it's a superhero thing, but mask making is one of the oldest cultural traditions
in the world, in fact the earliest example being from the Stone Age. Hunters would wear animal masks to disguise themselves
and stalk prey. They transformed themselves into the animals they were hunting. In essence this is what a
mask does, it changes the wearer into something else. have you ever noticed when you wear a mask
you act a little differently, that you temporarily lose yourself and become whatever the mask represents?
In this class we are going to play with this concept and using various found objects or existing
masks, we are going to transform them into strange and unusual facial disguises. This is a two day
class. This gives you the opportunity to to make some plaster forms from your own face if you are so
inclined. It also allows ample drying time for some of the constructions before they are transformed with paint and texture.
Making masks is different than merely wearing them: it can be a process for artists to reveal what is veiled
inside one's soul. It is a strange art form that keeps secrets but also simultaneously unearths hidden worlds. Oh, the irony.
Michael will also be covering a variety of paint techniques exploring several media.
This was a terrific class
This promises to be a great adventure!
