Masks as culture: masks as technology, masks as art, masks as magic

[kestrell]

Anyone else spend an hour trying to find the perfect face mask? Alexx helped me pick out a very tentacular green man mask. Now I'm trying to figure out what costume, complete with appropriate mask, I will be wearing for Halloween.

Here are three articles and an essay by Oscar Wilde that explore the facets of mask-wearing

The Truth of Masks: A Note on Illusion by Oscar Wilde
http://www.online-literature.com/wilde/1310/

3 Questions: Historian Emma Teng on Face Masks
https://news.mit.edu/2020/meanings-face-masks-emma-teng-0819

MIT: The Meanings of Masks
https://shass.mit.edu/news/news-2020-pandemic-meanings-masks-series

At the Heart of Dismal U.S. Coronavirus Response, A Fraught Relationsip with Masks Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/at-the-heart-of-dismal-us-coronavirus-response-a-fraught-relationship-with-masks/2020/07/28/f47eccd0-cde4-11ea-bc6a-6841b28d9093_story.html

Comments

The Octopus Protective Mask

[jesse_the_k]

Damn, I've been searching for days and I can't find the photo, but that doesn't matter.

I saw a terrifyingly realistic octopus mask. Looked like it was made from leather or PVC, so it would be horribly hot. Upper pair of tentacles meet and close above the ears, the next pair curl on the cheekbones, the next pair meet and close below the occiput, and the final pair curl under the chin. The crowning creepiness is the oval globe of the head drooping from the chin, which looks a lot like a testicle.

You would rock it!

Re: The Octopus Protective Mask

[kestrell]

*lol* Thanks! I don't think I would find the leather or PVC at all comfortable, though: I only wear natural fibers, , because so many things irritate my skin, including many things made for sensitive skin.

I have decided to find/obtain/possibly make a fantastic mask for Halloween, though, so I'm looking for ideas: currently, I'm thinking of making a Green Woman mask.

Re: The Octopus Protective Mask

[jesse_the_k]

Yes! The green woman's shaggy hair lends itself to attaching the mask behind your head.

Does she stick her tongue out like the green man? You could use some retro reflective fabric for the tongue, which would be a safety feature as well as extra horrifying.

Re: The Octopus Protective Mask

[kestrell]

I hadn't planned out the details yet: I just decided on this yesterday, and this morning has been busy--I've also been put in charge of arranging for someone to speak about assistive teech to the Implementation COuncil.

I have decided that I absolutely will not be taking on any more projects for the rest of the year. Absolutely. Positively.

But designing the mask should be fun. I was thinking of a base of forest green velvet, though one of those cheap plain forms would probably make a more robust base. And then I thought I would glue silk leaves and vines on , along with some acorn beads. Do you have a glue recommendation?

I have a fabulous dark green velvet dress, so I'm thinking of wearing that and making the mask the focal point, but in the same pseudo-medieval/Victorian style.

Re: The Octopus Protective Mask

[jesse_the_k]

Sounds like a lovely design. Don't forget some spangles!

Sadly I have zero glue knowledge, but I do remember seeing an extensive glue discussion in the OT book you commended to me last year by Therese Willkomm, PhD.

I heartily applaud your decision to spend less energy in frustrating meetings, and waiting for vagrant paratransit rides.

Re: The Octopus Protective Mask

[kestrell]

Oo, spangles, yes! And a few feathers.

Thanks for reminding me of the author of that book! I was just trying to remember what the title was and who wrote it.