Thesis – Multiple Identities of a Face

“Masks were an expression of humanity and nature as well as a statement of time and belief. They were a commitment to the future in that they spoke of the past in terms of the present. They were a symbol of continuation and an extrapolation of time linked to cultural survival.” – Gary Edson, The Parallel Nature of Science and Visual Expression, 4. Ingenious Expression, Masks and Masking, Pg 73

A person’s identity is the totality of self, constructed from how a person portrays his self in the present which links to the past and how one aspires to be in the future. In a lifetime, it is possible for a person to take on multiple identities according to the phases of life and perceptions of society. The quote by Gary Edson is apt in explaining the definition and purpose of masks which reflects the fundamental of this thesis. 

The act of ‘masking’ becomes a ritual in everyday life where we layer our identities to hide flaws and what is undesirable. We take on different personas in efforts to mask the self but in turn exposing our desires and ultimately, exposing the self as all these identities come from the same source, inside of us. This thus, creates a cycle that evolves in its own shell.

Masks Transcending Time – Finding Parallels 
Investigating through cultural contexts, parallels are drawn between early and contemporary culture. An analogy that is an appropriate representation of this would transcend time – like how Jung’s archetypes are a primal part of humans, ever present through various cycles of life.
Action: Investigative publication

The Progression of Masks – Mapping Comparisons 
Masks have evolved from being tangible in early cultures to something intangible in contemporary culture. Social uses differ in present context as compared to earlier context of time. A representation of this could be drawn from the structure of the tree of life, which laid is roots in Dogon culture and African cosmology.
Action: Mobil installation

An Alternate Meaning – The Displacement of the Face
In Gombrich’s essay, The Mask and the Face: The Perception of Physiognomic Likeness in Life and in Art, masks are seen as “…crude distinctions, the deviations from the norm which mark a person off  from others.” Gombrich has revealed another way of seeing a mask. It might not necessarily take on conventional interpretations.
Action: Sculptural series

Mask

Masks were an expression of humanity and nature as well as a statement of time and belief. They were a commitment to the future in that they spoke of the past in terms of the present. They were a symbol of continuation and an extrapolation of time linked to cultural survival.  -Ingenious Expression, Masks and Masking, Gary Edson.

---

mask

mɑːsk/
noun
noun: mask; plural noun: masks
1.
a covering for all or part of the face, worn as a disguise, or to amuse or frighten others.

synonyms:

disguise, veil, false face, domino, stocking mask, fancy dress; More

2.
a covering made of fibre or gauze and fitting over the nose and mouth to protect against air pollutants, or made of sterile gauze and worn to prevent infection of the wearer or (in surgery) of the patient.

synonyms:

matte, photomask, shadow mask, masking, masking tape More

a protective covering fitting over the whole face, worn in fencing, ice hockey, and other sports.

synonyms:

face mask, protective mask, gas mask, oxygen mask, fencing mask,iron mask, ski mask, dust mask; More

a respirator used to filter inhaled air or to supply gas for inhalation.
a face pack.
3.
a likeness of a person’s face moulded or sculpted in clay or wax.
a person’s face regarded as having set into a particular expression.
“his face was a mask of rage”
a hollow model of a human head worn by ancient Greek and Roman actors.
the face or head of a fox or other game animal, as a trophy.
4.
a manner or expression that hides one’s true character or feelings.
“I let my mask of respectability slip”

synonyms:

pretence, semblance, veil, screen, front, false front, facade, veneer,blind, false colours, disguise, guise, concealment, cover, cover-up,cloak, camouflage More

5.
PHOTOGRAPHY
a piece of material such as card used to cover a part of an image that is not required when exposing a print.
6.
ELECTRONICS
a patterned metal film used in the manufacture of microcircuits to allow selective modification of the underlying material.
7.
ENTOMOLOGY
the enlarged labium of a dragonfly larva, which can be extended to seize prey.
verb
verb: mask; 3rd person present: masks; past tense: masked; past participle: masked; gerund or present participle: masking
1.
cover (the face) with a mask.
“he had been masked, bound, and abducted”

synonyms:

hide, conceal, disguise, cover up, obscure, screen, cloak, camouflage,veil, mantle, blanket, enshroud More

antonyms:

enhance, reinforce

2.
conceal (something) from view.
“the poplars masked a factory”

synonyms:

hide, conceal, disguise, cover up, obscure, screen, cloak, camouflage,veil, mantle, blanket, enshroud More

antonyms:

enhance, reinforce

(of a taste, smell, etc.) prevent the perception of (another sensation).
“brandy did not completely mask the bitter taste”

synonyms:

hide, conceal, disguise, cover up, obscure, screen, cloak,camouflage, veil, mantle, blanket, enshroud More

antonyms:

enhance, reinforce

3.
cover (an object or surface) so as to protect it during painting.
“mask off doors and cupboards with sheets of plastic”

synonyms:

matte, photomask, shadow mask, masking, masking tape “a mask that blocks out part of the image”