MULTIMASK MASKS2GLOBE: Maskmaking in Classroom Settings

Make a "cartoon" character

2010-04-11T21:42:00.000-07:00

You can “cartoonise” the human face shape of your Multimask by cutting the nose out, plaster it over and then use more plaster bandage to make whatever shape is wanted!

Cereal box card works great for extensions

2010-02-23T16:40:00.000-08:00

Cereal box card has the critical weight and bendability for mask-make purposes. If the card is heavier it can't bend or be manipulated. If lighter, it doesn't hold its shape and glue in the right manner. So ask your students to bring in empty cereal boxes from home; they are just perfect for making extensions and re-shaping the Multimask starter base into storybook characters, animals & birds & bugs, etc.

To see more of the Port Chalmers mask-make project using cereal box card extensions visit http://www.photoblog.com/showoffs/2009/11/22/maskmagicalwe-are-here-maps--masks.html

Junk to Funk

2009-10-12T14:03:00.001-07:00

Above is a group photo of Year 1 and 2 students of Hillpark Primary School, NZ proudly wearing their insect and spider masks created as part of a wearable exhibition - The "Junk to Funk" Show - using recyclable materials like newspaper, bottle tops, magazine picture cutouts, seed pods off trees, etc. Littlies want to step into the world of make-believe and with the help of their colourful insect, critter and creature masks children are able to conquer fears, banish nightmares, make new friends, grow creative confidence, achieve success and build self-esteem. Transforming junk into funky masks is a great idea!!

Midwinter & Matariki Masks DownUnder SLIDESHOW

2009-08-12T18:06:00.000-07:00

Photographing Mask Work

2009-08-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

An inexpensive digital camera is quite sufficient for photographing mask work although there is a knack to getting gorgeous compositional shots with great atmosphere and style and visual interest. Because the light bounces off masks in unusual ways the photographer has to master the angles exactly, get the eyes in the right position (if the mask is being worn) or get the light in the eyes (if not worn), arrange a complementary backdrop, or perhaps add a small prop to the staging, etc.

Like faces, some mask designs are just more 'photogenic' than others. Sometimes an ordinary-looking mask photographs really well, while a clever/complex mask doesn't. It's all in the lighting which brings the magic in...light is where it falls and the fact that you can never quite control it makes the photographic work artistic.

A strong collection of mask images can be posted online [or sent to masks@maskworx.co.nz for adding to the SHOWOFFS COLLECTION], or published in the form of calendars which make great Christmas presents for parents or thank-you gifts for classroom helpers.
Note: Warehouse Stationery has easy-to-use calendar-making technology.

Voice Projection

2009-08-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

If the students need to speak or sing in their masks, it's better if the masks are cut away from the mouth [half-masks] in order to project the voice better. Alternatively, the open or gaping mouth (as per the mask above) would do the trick. Wearing a full face mask on stage tends to muffle the voice.

Happy Yellow Sneetches

2009-07-22T18:35:00.000-07:00

One clever teacher organised a band of enthusiastic parent-helpers to help make this collection of Dr. Seuss "Sneetches", then the children wore them in the Stars on Stage performance. First she sorted making a demo mask (this was done in an earlier mask making session) which was then copied by the parents. This way the masks all end up looking alike, a necessity for stage performance, and the children get to have a great time without losing any ordinary lesson time. It just makes us happy looking at this image (photo supplied by Rotary Park School, Dunedin NZ).

Mask Making is Tough Fun

2009-06-23T18:04:00.000-07:00

Mask work in the classroom is not lollipop time. The Arts Team at Maskworx recommend that mask making sessions are not scheduled for last thing on Friday "when you can't get anything out of them [students] anyway". Mask work is "tough fun" - and it's been said that the best learning happens during "tough fun" - it requires certain Creative Behaviours and extreme concentration:

During mask making teachers should look for these creative behaviours; original and imaginative ideas, clever construction and technically savvy extensions, novel uses for materials found in the immediate vicinity, commitment and courage (sticking with it when the project doesn't work), seeing where the 'happy accidents' take them, stretching the boundaries of the brief (within limits), and articulate symbolic language (speaking in pictures).

We recommend teachers notice and celebrate the student's creative behaviours along the journey of mask making rather than give awards for outcomes.

Awards for Good Mask Work?

2009-06-23T17:46:00.000-07:00

There's always the temptation in a competitive culture such as ours to give out awards for students good work. Sounds reasonable enough, but is it a good idea to appraise children's maskworks from the classroom with an adult eye? Recently a nearby country school made masks to celebrate midwinter. Many of the students were juniors. The organiser of the mask project put aside ten small trinklets as prizes. One of the parent-helpers then selected ten favourite masks by popping a red dot on the noses of the masks thought to be the best. "It was a mistake" the organiser later told us..."we then had lots of crying children".

Children aren't seeing the same thing as grownups do. To them it's not a piece of moulded cardboard with glitter on it; they're seeing a star cluster or a winter queen!! The (artistic) child sees with his/her whole mind, whilst most adults have forgotten about the wonky eye view of childhood and can only see surface details. If the child has been allowed to make the mask all by themselves, they will simply adore their own creation. They will believe their character is really real and not to receive an award can be heartbreaking. [For a happy solution see above post]

The Wheel of Creating

2008-12-02T12:12:00.000-08:00

This "Turtle Mask" (made recently at Victoria Avenue School Auckland) started off so plainly, just a dark green mass. But then she gave it another "go", repainting the background colour a lighter (and better) shade of green, and then she began to explore how to show the idea of scaley skin...Our Design Director Melanie remembers flicking thru photos with her on the Internet. She always wanted to add the jewels too (even though Mel thought they weren't necessary) and they look just right! How wonderfully complete she looks...that green hair and costume so perfect, her eyes reflecting her joy in that perfection!!

Oftentimes masks struggle to be born...but try not to walk away from a mess-up. Try to turn a disaster into a something wonderful by seeing where the mess leads you. Continue because the last step on the Wheel of Creating (after nearly "losing it")...is LOVING IT!

Inside the Skin of their Characters

2008-11-17T21:42:00.000-08:00

This is the 'Holy Grail' of mask making - kids inside the skin of their characters. These two young students who made their wise old men masks (fashioned simply from a roll of toilet tissue) have absolutely "nailed" their characterisations. You can see the kids are 'in' their masks. They are 'in' their characters. They are 'in' their stories. These kids have successfully "become the visual text". BRAVO!!

Multimasks as Makeup Design Tools 4 Drama

2008-10-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

At a recent Victoria Avenue School production the Makeup Team was responsible for ensuring 150 children were appropriately made up for the Drama Performance - three nights in a row!

The special FX makeup was a particular challenge; achieving the same cohesive 'look', three nights running, using teams of novice makeup 'artists' (parents!!), while allowing for the fact that the parents on these teams could be different each night!

Mel's Solution: Use Multimasks as the base on which to create face designs, to provide a lifelike template for all to copy!

Apply makeup, including face paint, lipstick, eye shadow, blusher and even glitter, directly on to the Multimask face base.

Add handwritten notes to the Made-up Multimasks, to provide extra clarification for the special FX teams eg. "heavy brows", "blusher under glitter", etc.

Put together the sets of makeup required for each team...the actual coloured facepaint, the specific blusher to be used, the right lipstick and eye shadow materials, referring to the Made-up Multimask as a guide.

Include in these packets (Snaplock bags) the items necessary for applying the makeup: sponges, blusher brushes, eye shadow sponge-applicators, those vital lip liners and eyebrow pencils and the cotton buds and "Wet wipes" for removing mistakes!

Clearly label the completed packets...the team name, how many characters to be completed and to which room they are allocated.

Brief your teams and send them off with their complete template and tools to do the job!

At the end of each evening check the packet contents and replace any items, sharpen pencils, clean sponges - ready for reuse the next night!

Made-up Multimask + Complete Make-up Pack + Enthusiastic Parent Volunteers = Special FX Makeup Success!!

A Simple Frame for your Mask Story

2008-09-24T17:56:00.000-07:00

To make a framed mask like this China Garden Mask you will need: 1x Coloured Multimask, 1x Bioware Oval Paper Plate, 1x set of Chinese cards, 1x Chinese Paper Cut, 2x buttons, Gold paint, Gold trim, PVA glue.

Begin by preparing your upsidedown paper plate 'frame' by painting it gold. When dry, use a glue stick to 'tack' the cards in a fan shape then PVA them into position on the gold frame. Prepare your mask by using spray adhesive to stick the paper cut design onto the face shape. PVA the mask onto the frame (place on top of the fan embellishment). Add gold trim around the rim to cover the flange. Afix button 'eyes' with hot glue gun.

(Total cost: $7 Duration Time: 1 hour)

Notes 4 Teachers on The Multimask Model of Maskmaking

2008-07-28T16:07:00.000-07:00

A new 10 page supplement that helps teachers plan their first Classroom Maskmaking Experience is now available to download FREE http://www.maskworx.co.nz/links.html

Full of useful tips and information for educators on how to guide their students as they "Unmask their Creativity" in Mask.

Quick Corrugated Card Compositions

2008-07-23T20:12:00.000-07:00

Corrugated card is inexpensive and easily attainable (from Warehouse Stationery or equivalent store), and makes a wonderful 'building material' for masks. Corrugated card can easily be cut and shaped then attached to the Multimask:

To make animal, bird and character masks...bunny ears, noses, scare me features, etc
To provide an excellent construction material for wearable art
To construct imaginative 'technical' elements. Corrugated card cutouts and a stapler (with a few props like bamboo skewers or dried twigs) are all your class needs for fast, effective, clean maskitecture!!

Rotational Symmetry: from the Maskworx Magic Box

2008-05-22T15:48:00.000-07:00

Symmetry is a way that units of pattern are organised. A pattern is symmetric if you can copy it, move it to a new location or orientation, and place it so it exactly matches the original. There are many two-dimensional symmetries but here we will examine Rotational Symmetry - using masks in repetition.

Rotational Symmetry occurs when a series of masks is rotated around a center point. The number of repeated elements can vary. In this case there are seven winter carnival masks repeated until a new image is formed which resembles a 'snowflake', a good example of rotational symmetry found in the natural world.

Mirror Symmetry: from the Maskworx Magic Box

2008-05-22T15:31:00.000-07:00

Symmetry is a way that units of pattern are organized. A pattern is symmetric if you can copy it, move it to a new location or orientation, and place it so it exactly matches the original. There are many two-dimensional symmetries but here we will examine Mirror Symmetry - (masks and mirrors often work well together)

Mirror or reflection symmetry divides the mask design into halves that are mirror images. The axis can be located either vertically (most common) or horizontally. The human face naturally has symmetry that's why it works so well with masks! In the natural world, butterflies are a good example of mirror symmetry.

Learning Questions "spark" Art

2008-04-01T17:17:00.000-07:00

The heart of making anything is trying to clear up something that is puzzling. So each creation begins with a learning question or creative question and each new mask is a product of trying to nail that question. But it is never quite resolved. The ribbon (as in the Maskworx ribbon logo) is the riddle that flows through everything...

Teacher Tip: Keeping Clean

2008-02-04T12:11:00.001-08:00

No matter how hard you try to stop paint spilling it always seems to slop somewhere. A good tip for keeping paint, glitter and glue off students' expensive school blazers and uniforms is to ask them to bring a clean plastic rubbish bag (or keep a supply handy) for "Mask Week". Cut out the required holes, slip it over their heads and hey presto...clean kids!

Little Black Moretta

2008-01-29T23:16:00.000-08:00

Did you know... Once upon a time in 16th century Venice, the highest fashion was not the little black dress, but rather the little black mask - called the Moretta ("moretta" means small & dark).

Venetian women at this time were not at all prudish and made no attempt to conceal their chests, in fact their dresses were cut so low as to strongly emphasise their cleavage. It was customary to apply makeup to colour their nipples carmine (bright red!).

As not much was left up to the imagination, the Venetian ladies wanted to create a sense of mystery by concealing everything that gives away feelings and emotions the most - the eyes and mouth. This was the aim of the Moretta. But there was one odd detail; the Moretta was held in the mouth by a button on the inside which was gripped between the teeth. The lady was absolutely mute (until she decided to respond to the advances of her audience). The reason for the button was so she could whip the mask off quickly when the game of captivation was up.

New Artists in Schools Programme '08

2008-01-16T14:03:00.000-08:00

We have been sent information regarding the Ministry of Education Artists in Schools residencies being implemented in New Zealand for the first time in terms 2 and 3 of 2008, and would like to pass the details on to you. For full details please go to http://arts.unitec.ac.nz/artistsinschools/
This could be a novel way of paying for your Multimasks whilst receiving expert artistic direction.

Clowning Around...

2008-01-14T16:33:00.001-08:00

Clown mime Marieke Marygold (of Auckland) performs at the Ark, one of the venues of the Lawrence Summer Festival, January 08.

Marieke was often seen walking her 'dog' (a ball of black fluff by the name of Hairy Macleary) or tootling around Lawrence in her clown car named 'Lil Pet.

To see Clown Masks made by students of St Marys School, Auckland, visit our photoblog http://www.photoblog.com/showoffs/2008/01/14/

Behind the Mask

2008-01-06T13:13:00.000-08:00

The English Department, Villa Maria College of Christchurch, designed a mask-making workshop option for Integrated Studies Week end of term 2007. Specific learning outcomes were:

Create a monologue "From behind the mask" that explores the inner life of an animal seen at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

Create a visual representation of an animal in the form of a facial mask using natural materials

Present both mask and monologue in a dramatic presentation before an audience

More than an appealing "exotic" character to replicate

2007-12-10T16:39:00.000-08:00

To address the problem of students running out of steam during the sculpture part of mask making Multimask has been developed to enable students to tell a visually interesting story with big impact, but with less mess and energy waste. Multimask frees up classroom time for in-depth studies in the curriculum of the diverse cultural & sociopolitical contexts that produce mask making. Patty Bode's stellar article featured in Rethinking Schools Online about making Puerto Rican Vejigante Masks in class redefines multicultural visual arts education: http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/17_01/Puer171.shtml

The Vejigante (bay-he-GAHN-tay) is a fantastic, colourful character introduced into the carnival arts hundreds of years ago, and is a classic example of the blending of African, Spanish, and Caribbean influences in Puerto Rican culture.

Eat your Nose!!

2007-11-24T13:46:00.000-08:00

Did you know…centuries ago in Europe (circa 1500’s) when doctors visited their patients they wore masks with enormous beaky noses!

The Plague Doctor mask was used by doctors during periods of plague. During that era doctors had a very limited understanding of microbes (germs) that caused diseases and understood that the plague was caused by malevolent “spirits”. They wanted to keep the spirits away by frightening them, which explains the terrifying appearance of the beaked mask and dark waxed canvas costume they wore.

To avoid contact with the afflicted, the mask’s eyeholes were covered with glass and any examinations conducted by the doctor were done with a hand held stick. So the doctor could breathe behind his mask, air - filtered by aromatic herbs hidden inside the nose - passed through two slits cut in the “beak”.

One snowy morning in Dunedin, a local teacher was demonstrating the Plague Doctor mask to her junior class. Earlier she had secretly stuffed the mask's nose with the traditional herbs and scented lavender flowers as well as a generous handful of gourmet jellybeans!

The teacher said, pulling jelly bean 'bogies' from a plague doctor’s NOSE was "one of the stranger things" she'd done in her teaching career… but the kids loved it!

Handy Hint - make a demo set

2007-11-21T16:59:00.000-08:00

When instructing large numbers of students (school holiday groups) or very young children (5-8 years) it is useful to make your own Demo Set of the nine basic shapes. Simply order an extra ten Multimasks, cut out one of each shape as outlined by the embossed guidelines on the back. This way students can easily see a representation of each shape, choose their favourite at a glance, then bung it on top of their own Multimask, draw around it and hey presto...'instant mask' they can cut out and embellish. Speeds things up and everyone has a good time from the Get Go! Keep your educator's demo set in a ziplock bag to use over and over again.

"Ippinquill" - a Carnival Arts character

2007-11-15T12:58:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the November '07 launch of our new website MASKWORX has devised "Ippinquill" a new 'carnival arts' character. Using only scissors and a pencil (plus 2 buttons) Ippinquill emerges from a stack of about 15 Multimask classic face shapes as a carnivalesque (happily exaggerated) face scape - the beginning of a visually interesting story. Who is Ippinquill? What would Ippinquill's habitat look like? What is Ippinquill's favourite food? Why is Ippinquill here?

You can answer these questions by colouring in the visual details yourself, adding textures, tones and tiny props for a truly three-dimensional story of who this carnival arts character is?
Begin by cleverly cutting out your own "Ippinquill":
Cut & free the jaw like a ventriloquists doll, secure with elastic bands
Cut a 'handlebar moustache' from the forehead of 2x Multimasks
Cut nose-brow shapes from 2x Multimasks
Cut 11 extra 'noses' and assemble 8 of them in layers (saving 3 for 'tongue' and 'ears')
Arrange 1 mini-nose upsidedown as a 'tongue' and 2 mini-noses as 'ears'
Cut cheekbones from the moulded chin of 2x Multimasks and another to form the spiral (at top)
Affix all cutouts with adhesive dots, add buttons or beads for 'eyes' then colour your composition in...

Unmask their Talent

2007-10-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

Educator Tip - the Brief
Educators can help students learn how to generate original ideas, designs, and composition by giving them a clear brief before they start their mask project...

It is not enough to tell students “Just be creative” as few have the initiative, thinking skills and confidence to turn ideas into products from the get-go. Often students may be tempted to borrow ideas from others. Jonathan Milne, Creative Director of the learning connexion suggests copying and uniqueness can go hand in hand. He says: "Just as your copied genes [from your parents] come out as something unique, so does art". His free advice for learners is: "When copying, be yourself" [make it your own].

Another important tip “just being creative” is not a mandate to make 'dark' stuff that scares people. As artist Juliet Novena Sorrel says: "The NEW risk is to make something beautiful". The best imaginative thinking begins within clear guidelines. Especially in a situation like mask making - where anything is possible - remember to brief the learner so they can unmask their creativity safely. Young people love boundaries.

The Mask Made Me Do It!

2007-10-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

Did you know…the history of masks and vice in Venice is incredible. Centuries ago the Venetians devised an extreme example of liberty using a special mask called La Gnaga.

Made of light papier mache, the Gnaga mask covered half of the face, leaving the mouth free. La Gnaga wearers openly provoked townsfolk on the street with a multitude of obscenities spoken in a gruff voice. This harsh voice made them sound like cats, which in Venetian is ‘gnau’ which explains the name of this mask.

With their mask La Gnaga on, the wearer could not be arrested however strange or disorderly his/her behavior (unless really violent or dangerous), because he/she became a “masked person”, and officially any mask was acting out a role, or playacting. If apprehended for infringing the law, the exuberant mischief-maker could simply retort: “The Mask made me do it” and get away with it!

A nice trick, but don’t expect it to work in today’s world. Nowadays, it’s not the mask itself that liberates. It's the act of making masks that switches on valuable new ways of seeing and thinking to liberate the creative process. There is something liberating about making your own stuff.