WHY DO PEOPLE WEAR MASKS?

Look at this History of Spectacles for an explanation of why people are wearing fashion glasses now. This will probably give you some ideas about when and why people use masks and other face coverings.

What are some other masks that we see around us every day?

  • Bike riders helmet
  • Surgeons or dentists' surgical mask
  • Football players face mask and helmet
  • Welder's mask
  • Fencer's mask
    Look at the masks in the next part of this lesson.

    What questions do you have about them?

    This is a transformation mask worn by Indians in the Northwestern United States and Canada.

    These masks are from the Olmec people of Mexico. Read the description

    Masks from the Beijing Opera in China

    African Masks

    Korean Masks

    Haida Secret Society Masks

    Begin by answering these questions:

    • What do these masks have in common?
    • Which masks were made of carved wood?
    • Who wore the masks?
    • Why did they wear them?
    • What kinds of designs do you see on the masks?
    • Are the designs symmetrical?
    • What colors are used on the masks?
    • Are there other things attached to the masks? What are these things?

    You are now going to make a design for a mask.

    Will your mask be used to make someone happy or afraid? Will your mask represent a human figure or an animal? If you choose an animal think about words that describe this animal. Make a list. What colors would you use to intensify these characteristics? Print out this paper and draw a design on it. Color in the design.

    You are now going to create a 3 dimensional model of this mask using papier mache.

    YOU WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS:

    • Newspaper to cover your working surface
    • Newspaper to tear into small squares
    • White glue
    • Water
    • A plastic mask to use as the form - you can get these at hobby and costume shops. They are very inexpensive.
    • Paper towels to tear into small squares
    • Paint
    • Spray clear gloss paint.

    STEP ONE

      Tear your newspaper into a pile of small squares about 1" x 1". Tearing is better because it makes a rough edge.

    STEP TWO
      Mix some white glue with water so you have a runny mixture

    STEP THREE
      Cover your table with newspaper.

      Place your plastic form on the newspaper

    STEP FOUR

      Take a small square of newspaper, dip it into the glue and water. Put it on the plastic form.
      Completely cover your form with one layer of newspaper squares.
      If you want to exaggerate some of the features you should do that now. You can use commercial paper mache mixed with water to do this.
      Let this layer dry over night.

    STEP FIVE

      Now, completely cover the newspaper with one layer of paper towel squares. The smaller the pieces, the smoother your mask will be. Make sure that you don't leave any edges of paper sticking up. Smooth everything down. Let this dry over night.

    STEP SIX

      When your mask is dry you can remove the plastic form. It should be thin but hard. You may want to cut out the eye holes if you did not leave them open. However, you may want to use your mask for a wall decoration and never wear it. In this case, you do not need to cut out the eyes.
    STEP SEVEN

      Now, you are ready to paint. First draw the design on the mask.
      Choose your colors and paint your mask.

    STEP EIGHT