Masked

 

 

This mask is from Afghanistan  and is a Hizara wedding hat that covers the brides eyes.  The bride is clothed in all white except for her wedding head dress/mask. It is the equivalanet to the wedding veil used a lot in American weddings. The colors used are saturated and full of life. Geometric shapes and patterns are woven with the same thread they make from carpets and blankets. It’s a beautiful contrast to the white cloth worn by the bride. I was drawn to this mask because of its intimate purpose. It hides the eyes of the bride so that only her husband can see them. While  I know some may view this is sexist, I do find the beauty in that.

____________________________________________________

This is an Egyptian funerary mask, also known as a death mask. In Egyptian culture the death mask is believed to strengthen the spirit and soul of the dead in the afterlife. It is carved from wood and used d-shape for the eyes. The delicate features and smoothness of the nose and mouth indicate that this was a woman’s death mask.  In honor of the dead, there is no “abstractness” to the masks but yet is one cohesive carving. I chose this mask because I could still see the beauty of this woman hundreds and hundreds of years later. To me it is eerily life like and you can see inside her eyes. I like its simplicity yet elgance. I feel it is v ery respectful of the woman who died.

______________________________________________________

 

This is an Asaase yaa mask, from Ghana. It represents  "Mother Earth,"  and it is believed by Ghanans that she is the ruler of earth.  Asaase yaa is always worshipped during important feasts and rituals.  The mask itself is carved from wood and painted using the symbol for infinity around the eyes. It is meant to represent forever and always.  The mask lacks colorfulness as it is believed that she has given all her color to Earth. I like the black and white, and the figure eight around the eyes. I also enjoy is simple yet bold pattern. The lines are thick and curvy.