Who knows what distort means? When you change something from the way you see it in real live

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1 Class Discussion 15 minutes POWERPOINT # 1 First Grade Art Awareness Today we re going to talk about a kind of art called sculpture. Who knows what a sculpture is? (Art that has a length, a height and a depth (or is 3 dimensional) Does anyone know what a person who creates sculpture is called? A sculptor Sculptors often distort shapes to make artwork look interesting. Who knows what distort means? When you change something from the way you see it in real live Today we re going to talk about a special kind of sculpture called masks. Who knows what a mask is? A sculpture you wear that covers your face. If masks are sculptures, does a mask have length, height, and depth? Yes, that s why it is really a sculpture. Have any of you worn masks? Why would someone make a mask? There are several reasons people might create or wear a mask; To disguise yourself or hide your identity. How many of you saw the movie Star Wars? In many movies actors wear masks to disguise themselves. For protection. Has anyone ever seen someone wear a mask at work? What kinds of jobs need people to wear a mask? (Nurses, Doctors, firefighters). Sometimes people with dangerous jobs wear a mask over their face to protect themselves like welders, and underwater divers. Who else wears a mask for protection? (athletes like football players, umpires and goalies) To pretend. Have you ever worn a mask in order to pretend to be someone else? What does pretend mean? To pretend is to make believe. Who did you pretend to be during the last Halloween? If you are going to make a mask, it is fun to look different than you do in real life, isn t it? One way would be to distort the shapes on your mask. Here are a couple of examples of masks. All of these masks were created using different ways to sculpt. Prairie School Art Awareness GR1_09

2 This first mask is a Peruvian mask. It was made by Indians in Puno, Peru, who live high up in the Andes Mountains. like this are still used today for important festivals. Look at a real face of one of your friends. Now look at the mask. What shapes have been distorted? Have the eyes been distorted? Nose? Mouth? This mask was made with paper mache. Has anyone made art using paper mache? Paper mache is paper strips and glue. The artist took the paper with the sticky glue on it and moved it around until he got the shape he wanted. This is called modeling. How is this mask different from a real human face? (Discuss the colors) Is this face distorted? What do you think this mask is used for? POWERPOINT # 2 This next mask is from the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. like this one are worn in masquerades that take place at funerals to honor important Mweka or vicinity, Western Kasai province, Democratic people. The materials and animal Republic of Congo; KubaLate 19th/mid-20th features combined on the mask are centurywood, glass beads, cowrie shells, feathers, raffia, fur, fabric, string, associated with status and leadership. bellsh x w x d cm The shells were once used as money and represent wealth. The beard-like ruff of the large colobus monkey refers to powers of the forest. A trunk projecting upward and over the front of the mask represents the elephant, the supreme symbol of leadership. The mask was made using wood, glass beads, cowrie shells, feathers, raffia, fur, fabric, string, bells Do you see anything distorted in this mask? Does the mask look like a Monkey head? Why or why not? Is this face distorted? What do you think this mask is used for? (let the children guess) Prairie School Art Awareness GR1_09

3 POWERPOINT # 3 Please take a look at some of the details in this mask and tell me how you think the artist made this. What do you see? (beads, bell, fur, shells) Why do you think they did that? To represent something real. Prairie School Art Awareness GR1_09

4 Project 15 minutes Materials in PTO room: Peruvian mask sculpture (in basket with mask supplies) Pre-formed cardstock mask one for each student (bring extras) Extra decorative items like feathers, buttons, sequins, poms, etc. Containers to place in the middle of a few children to share decorative items Materials in classroom: Glue Markers Crayons Materials from Home: If you have examples of any kinds of masks, please feel free to bring them in as examples for discussion Activity Background for Parents: Children will make their own masks using pre-formed masks, markers or crayons, glue and decorative art objects. Use a paper plate to put a handful (or a couple) of decorative objects in the middle of a few students (depending on how the teachers have the kids set up, you may need to adjust) Help the children limit the amount of glue they use or it will take a long time to dry. Explanation to students: Today you will make your own mask. Each of you has a mask to decorate. To start out, if you would like to add color or a special design, take the next 5 minutes coloring your mask Now start gluing all your other items to the mask Prairie School Art Awareness GR1_09

5 Artist Background: This is reference for presenter supportive material so you know more about the artist. Mask #1 Throughout history people have worn masks. They have been used for many purposes. can be used to do disguise the wearer. Most masks worn as a disguise have the features of a human being or an animal. In many societies, masks represent gods or spirits. The can be worn for protection. They can be worn when the wearer wants to pretend to be someone else. By hiding the features of the face, masks prevent other people from making judgments about the wearer s personality and character. can also be worn to supposedly give the wearer magic powers. The custom of wearing masks probably began with animal heads worn by people. They may have been used in hunting. They probably were used as disguises and as magic to help make for a successful hunt. may also have been developed from the practice of marking the face with colorful designs. can be made of paper or carved from wood or stone. They can be made of cloth, grass, leather, shells, or metal. Some are realistic, others are make-believe. Mask #2 Originating in the 16th century and reaching its peak of influence in the 19th century, the Kuba Kingdom united numerous ethnic groups in south-central Democratic Republic of Congo. Mukenga masks like this one are worn at funerals of influential, titled men in the northern part of the kingdom. The mask s form and materials combine symbols associated with status and leadership. Constructed over a wooden frame, its surface is comprised of raffia cloth upon which glass beads, cowrie shells, raffia fibers, and animal fur are attached. The carefully arranged cowrie shells, once prized as currency, signal wealth and status. The beardlike ruff of the large and dangerous colobus monkey refers to powers of the forest. A prominent trunk projecting upward and over the front of the mask represents the elephant, the supreme symbol of leadership. Wearing an elaborate full-body costume that includes leggings, gloves, footwear, a vest, and cloth strips heavily embellished with cowrie shells and beads, the Mukenga performer tours the community on the third day after the death of a titled man. Following the burial, the Mukenga again appears, accompanied by the music of whistles, bullroarers, and drums. The funeral attire of the deceased is identical to the costume of the Mukenga masquerader, suggesting a link between the masquerade and the powerful presence of ancestors. Prairie School Art Awareness GR1_09