Notes 4 Teachers on The Multimask Model of Maskmaking

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.