masks

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masks

August 20th 2007 03:53

The mask is the ultimate stylish façade. Although they are most commonly recognized at parties and carnivals, they have a deeper religious and social significance, being concerned with funeral customs, fertility rites, or even curing sickness.

In funeral ceremonies masked dancers may seek to drive the soul of the deceased into the spirit world, where it will not harm the living. Burial masks are sometimes placed on the face of a corpse either to protect the deceased from evil spirits or, as in Egypt, to guide the dead person's spirit to its home in the afterlife.

Masks are often believed to contain great power, being potentially dangerous unless handled with the proper rites. In certain customs a person who puts on a mask representing an animal or evil spirit can become that which they are imitating.

The use of theatrical masks started in Ancient Greece being used in both drama and comedy. In Japan, the most famous use of masks is in the Noh plays; where the subtlety of expression is very important. In the mystery and miracle plays of medieval Europe, masks were used to portray dragons, monsters, the seven deadly sins, and, of course, the devil.

The masquerade was a fancy-dress ball where disguise was an absolute requirement. It was considered by many to be subversive of the established rules of society. The balls – Midnight Masques - were held in England from the early 1700s.

They originated from the Venice mask carnivals where a masked person could gain access to places which were usually forbidden and could shed their inhibitions. It was often impossible to tell the sex of the wearer and it was extremely bad form to show signs of recognizing a masked person. Everyone from the governor of Venice to a scullery maid was simply addressed as Sior Maschera or Mr. Mask.

The laws regulating the wearing of masks were more liberal for the aristocracy. The nobility lived life to the full, and reveled in a lifestyle of gambling, parties and mystery. For them Carnevale extended from weeks to months.

Towards the end of the eighteenth century the use and tradition of masks began to decline and disappear altogether. In 1979 the Venice Carnival was revived. However the Carnival now is less about debauchery and more about dressing up in fantastic and beautiful costumes and masks. Oh the humanity!

I prefer the less ostentatious masks, the simple and subtle expressions; the “aura” and “dessi” masks. I also admire the almond-eyed “carnival” mardi gras mask. But my favourite would probably be the bronze senofu mask for its brooding primal command. Mind you, the post-modern apocalyptic lad in me likes the evo-5000 gas mask, and although I don’t like the Saw horror movies, I do find that mask particularly striking and rather unnerving.

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