RESC 098 Masks and Meaning is open to first year students in the Arts Residential College
What is the transformational power of the mask for the contemporary performer?
Which societies keep mask traditions alive through religious ritual, community celebration, and/or artistic expression?
How do these communities imbue masks with spirit?
Discover the world of masks through this hands-on studio class in mask design and mask making. Movement workshops focus on two contrasting performance styles, Italian Commedia dell’Arte (using the mask you make) and Japanese Noh Performance. Social identity and ritual healing for our contemporary community are explored through collaboratively creating original masks. Your research into the expressive power of a specific tradition – Native American, Africa, Asia, Indonesia, or your own – is shared both through class presentation and your creation of a mask inspired by your study.
Creative process and creative risk taking will be emphasized throughout this course. Our goal is discovery using the mind, eye, hand, and body. We will especially explore design, sculpting, and painting to learn; that is, using mask design as a process to help discover ideas in much the same way we use writing to help formulate our thoughts. Each design evolves from significant independent research and class discussion.
Fulfills the Following Requirements: Writing Level 1, Foundation Seminar
