Behind the Mask

After reading the African novel THINGS FALL APART the many allusions to tribal masks is a great segue to the common use of masks throughout history to represent cultures, celebrations, and passed on figures. Students engage in a class discussion of both what these masks represent and what they hide. As students reflect upon their own personal culture they are asked to create their own mask that represents them. Dividing into 6 groups they are required to research tribal, cultural, celebration, and death masks throughout history and write a reflection upon their discoveries to share with the class as a PowerPoint or visual presentation of pictures.Then they will be asked to create their own personal mask out of materials of their choosing. The instructor will give a demonstration of how to create a plaster bandage "death mask" and students may create their own from these materials or use creativity to make their own. The mask will represent their "outside" persona and culture. This mask making process will be recorded using android cameras and recorders. Finally, students will write a poem to place on the inside of the mask to reflect on the person the mask reveals and the person the mask hides. These will be composed on the androids and printed out on with the wireless printer, cut to shape, and put inside the finished mask. All masks will be displayed throughout the room, photographed for the school website and available for others to view. The instructor will collate the photos and videos that the students have uploaded into a shared Google dropbox and create a presentation for the entire class so that they can reflect upon the entire process.