Saturday, April 13, 2013

Mask


Inspirational Image #1

Artist: Burkina Faso
Title of work: Helmet Mask (Bolo)
Media:  Wood, pigment, animal hair, resin
Date: 19th–20th century
 
Size: H. 16 1/2 x W. 8 3/4 x D. 11 1/8 in.

Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?  

This mask is built on a helmet platform.  The main portion is made from wood and appears to have been carved.  The design painted on the exterior of the mask. There are holes around the lower edges.  These may have been used to secure to helmet to the wearer. 
 

Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used? 

Repetition, pattern, and shape are all used here.  The striped pattern repeats on the face portion while the triangle pattern repeats on the top fin of the mask.  Shapes are utilized throughout the mask.    

 

Inspirational Image #2



Artist: Jörg Seusenhofer (Austrian (Innsbruck), 1516-1558)

Title of work: Close helmet with mask visor
 
Media:  Steel, embossed and etched

Date: 1530
 
Size: Weight 6, lb. 6 oz. (2892 g) Height, 10 3/16 in. (25.86 cm) Width, 9 in. (22.86 cm) Length, 14 3/8 in. (36.5 cm)
Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?  

This is a steel helmet with a mask on the face shield.  There appears to be a chicken head near the chin area.  There is an ornamental floral pattern on the side.  The edges are decorated with repeating marks.
 
Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used? 

Variety and texture are both used ion this mask.  The chicken head, floral patterns, and ribbed top fin all lean themselves to create variety.  The chicken head and movable front plate have lines and levels shaped into them.  This provides texture to the piece. 

 Inspirational Image #3



Artist: Myōchin Muneakira (Japanese, Edo period, 1673–1745)

Title of work: Mask

Media:  Lacquered iron

Date: 1715

Size: Height, 7 3/4 in. (19.71 cm) Width, 6 3/4 in. (17.2 cm)
Source of picture (URL): http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/40000360

Description – Describe what you see.  (subject matter)?

This mask is a traditional Japanese mask.  This type of mask is intended to ward off evil spirits.  The mask is made of iron and has a dark almost black color.

 
Formal analysis – (form)  What principles and elements were used and how are they used?

The principal used here is unity.  The color and surface smoothness is uniform throughout the mask.  The curving patterns are also common in several areas of the work.  
 
 

The inspirational images I selected were masks that were constructed into helmets.  They are both artistic and functional.   The masks were chosen based on the style, function, and aesthetic properties I was looking portray in my piece.   I used color and shape in my mask.  The blue face plate and gold accent pieces are intended to give a bit of variety.  The mask also incorporates geometric shapes.  This is similar to the first inspirational image.  The finished mask I made was a little different than what I envisioned. I made modifications along the way as I saw fit.  This project was different than any project I have done in the past.  It was a good experience and allowed me to look into subject matter I would normally not get exposure to.
 

Hand Drawn Sketch:




Final Mask:


 

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