Mask Maker, Mask Maker, Make Me a Mask Tuesday 9:00 - 4:30 $130  
  Michael deMeng    


Student Level: All
Type of Workshop: Project

 
 

    I collect masks. I’m not sure what it is but ever since I was a kid I have always been intrigued by the idea of transforming ones identity. That is why I love masks. Perhaps it’s a superhero thing, but mask making is one of the oldest cultural traditions in the world, in fact the earliest example being from the Stone Age. The hunter would were animal masks to disguise themselves and stalk prey. They transformed themselves into the animals they were hunting. In essence this is what a mask does, it changes the wearer into something else. Have you ever noticed when you wear a mask you act a little differently, that you temporarily lose yourself and become whatever the mask represents? In this class we are going to play with this concept and using various found objects or existing masks, we are going to transform them into strange and unusual facial disguises. Making masks is different than merely wearing them; it can be a process for artists to reveal what is veiled inside one’s soul. It is a strange art form that keeps secrets but also simultaneously unearths hidden worlds. Oh, the irony.

    Supply List:
  • A base to work from. This can be a piece of wood, an actual mask, a mannequin head, anything that you can work from to build you assemblage mask.
  • Aves Apoxy Clay 1/4lbs or more www.avesstudio.com
  • Variety of other found objects that might be interesting additions. Items like watch parts, gears, old toys, typewriter parts….just about anything, really. You want a variety of shapes and forms.
  • Paint Brushes (a couple small detail brushes, and some cheap brushes (1/2 inch to 1 inch in size)
  • Wire a couple of different gauges
  • Basic Tools…pliers, scissors,
  • Molding Paste (Golden or Liquitex)
  • Matte Medium
  • Paint
    • Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold (acrylic paint by Golden)
    • TitaniumWhite (acrylic paint by Golden)
    • Carbon or Mars Black (acrylic paint by Golden)
    • Pthalo Green blue shade (acrylic paint by Golden)
    • Quinacridone Crimson
    • Dioxazine Purple (acrylic paint by Golden)
    • Any other colors that your heart desires…could be fluorescent colors.
  • Optional items or suggestions to enhance the class project:
  • Tools like pliers, wire cutters, etc.
  • Heat gun.
  • Dremel

Questions? Email Michael at assemblage@michaeldemeng.com
Website: http://www.michaeldemeng.com