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.

After looking at the postcards for Valentine's day, I sensed that some cards were from people who simply hated Valentine's day. Are they lonely? Angry about something? Then I saw some that seemed to sort of poke fun at that "special" day. I also saw some that seemed to vent their frustration with a particular feeling about something that was happening in their lives and really wasn't Valentine's Day related. My favorite one though is the one on the Starbuck's coffee cup. (Funny how I knew it was a Starbucks cup even though I can only see the bottom half of the logo). The postcard made me laugh as I could see myself doing something similar to my wife's coffee cup. And...she would be the one that wouldn't notice either. She just agreed with me. :-)

After looking at the postcards for Valentine's day, I sensed that some cards were from people who simply hated Valentine's day. Are they lonely? Angry about something? Then I saw some that seemed to sort of poke fun at that "special" day. I also saw some that seemed to vent their frustration with a particular feeling about something that was happening in their lives and really wasn't Valentine's Day related. My favorite one though is the one on the Starbuck's coffee cup. (Funny how I knew it was a Starbucks cup even though I can only see the bottom half of the logo). The postcard made me laugh as I could see myself doing something similar to my wife's coffee cup. And...she would be the one that wouldn't notice either. She just agreed with me. :-)

Steve Izzo
http://www.personal.psu.edu/swi100/blogs/s_izzos_aed_813_blog/blog/