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Africa Project
Photos from the seventh grade visit to the Musée des
Arts Africains in Paris. Our visit has let us see some examples of the
traditions which live in the African continent. All of these photos show
masks which come from Burkina Faso. When we look at an African
mask, it is necessary to remember that for the people who make and wear
these sculptures, they are not art, as our guide told us.
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These masks have magical powers for those who
believe, they are sacred. Believers who disrespect these
masks risk terrible consequences. However, as long as they remain
behind the glass in a museum they are safe: here in Paris they
become works of art.
This fierce looking mask covered the entire head.
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This second example
represents an Antelope. It is a mask worn on the top
of the head, held on by a strap under the chin like a hat. It is
made of wood, and so it is quite heavy! For people who believe in
the Antelope mask, it means health, youth and beauty. |
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Our third example is a facial mask. Here we can
see the stylised lines of the mask. Instead of making an exact
copy of a face, the sculptor has taken the important
characteristics of the idea, and has then employed these
characteristics to communicate the idea.
Practice: See if you can make a mask which means something important for you.
Think of the necessary characteristics, exclude all things which
are unnecessary, and make your mask. A real mask is often made of
wood, but for us paper is easier! |
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© Shirley Burchill, Chris Green, Mathew Hill, Nigel Hughes
and Antony McDermott 2009
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