NAEA Women's Caucus Voices Blog - 1 views

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  #1 Stephen Izzo on 17 Feb 11

   

  In teaching a mask project to my upper elementary art students, I always bring the cultural aspect into the design of the mask. Masks worn by one cultural group may mean one thing where the meaning may be different in another. A mask can visually speak without the use of words where it is understood by the group of people within the cultural family. You mentioned, "We wear varied masks each day in order to relate and cope with our environment." I used a similar example in that many cultural organizations didn't just use masks for decoration, but rather as a way to communicate a feeling or emotion. I tell my students to think of an occasion where masks may be worn. A mask can be used as a metaphor to translate an emotion. Masks can be made to be worn for decoration , but also for protection, cultural beliefs, prayer, emotional feelings such as happiness or sadness and also disguise.

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner">In teaching a mask project to my upper elementary art students, I always bring the cultural aspect into the design of the mask. Masks worn by one cultural group may mean one thing where the meaning may be different in another. A mask can visually speak without the use of words where it is understood by the group of people within the cultural family. You mentioned, "We wear varied masks each day in order to relate and cope with our environment." I used a similar example in that many cultural organizations didn't just use masks for decoration, but rather as a way to communicate a feeling or emotion. I tell my students to think of an occasion where masks may be worn. A mask can be used as a metaphor to translate an emotion. Masks can be made to be worn for decoration , but also for protection, cultural beliefs, prayer, emotional feelings such as happiness or sadness and also disguise.</div>

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