showoffs's PhotoBlog

Maskmagical...Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

2009-12-02T02:36:57Z

These works-in-mask were made at Aramac State School in Australia. Project leader Sarah Larsen, a multimedia artist and teacher of Thangool, central Queensland said: "[some of] my P to 3 students were working with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and were focussing on feelings, personalities and characteristics. We extended that to include how to tell what someone is feeling or the feeling itself in a visual language." Reportedly, the children had a lovely time and really enjoyed their mask task, and we at Maskworx were especially thrilled to receive these lovely bright images from Australia!! Well done... For more info on the Multimask starter base visit www.maskworx.co.nz For comments or queries email annette@maskworx.co.nz For more about Sarah visit www.sarahlarsen.com.au

Maskmagical...Processional Arts at Port Chalmers

2009-11-25T19:14:58Z

This year's annual parade by Port Chalmers School featured the school-wide project WE ARE HERE, an identity project mapping the Port Chalmers area where the children live and making masks of the creatures that live there with them. This map & mask project was lead by local visual artist Juliet Novena Sorrel. Ms Novena Sorrel believes creating maps allows children to identify with their communities in a stronger way. "It makes them really feel like they belong somewhere". Their 'map' came alive when they paraded along the main street on their way to Watson Park where the procession culminated with the children installing their map on the ground. They then connected each individual piece of art by unrolling a ball of white ribbon to create their own routes through the cardboard community... See previous Showoffs entry for further visuals. For further info on the ethically made in NZ Multimask starter base visit www.maskworx.co.nz Comments or Enquiries email annette@maskworx.co.nz

Maskmagical..."We Are Here" Maps & Masks

2009-11-22T20:46:24Z

The project WE ARE HERE started with the children of Port Chalmers School, Dunedin working in groups to map the Port Chalmers area in which they live with some "differing perspectives". This map & mask project was part of the school's annual artist-in-residence programme lead by local visual artist Juliet Novena Sorrel who helped the children create a map of their community and masks of animals and creatures which live there. Ms Novena Sorrel believes creating maps allows children to identify with their communities in a stronger way. "It makes them really feel like they belong somewhere". Their map came alive on Sunday when the children paraded along the main street on their way to Watson Park where the mobile 'map' was laid out. It was wonderful to see their work in the classroom spill out into the community. After the mapping session, picnic rugs were rolled out and kites flown on the stiff breeze which blew in from the ocean. Please note because of the scale of the overall mapping project the children only had a short time to make their masks. We think they did a great job envisaging their characterisations. It isn't easy to translate ideas from the flat into three-dimensions so quickly! The whole event was created from pre-mixed poster paints, corrugated card for the placards, and empty cereal box card was used to extend the Multimask starter bases, plus two torn-up bed sheets...exciting results from such humble materials!! For more info on the Multimask starter base used for this project visit www.maskworx.co.nz

Maskmagical...Transformative Action Stories

2009-11-03T19:56:14Z

These "transformative action story masks" were made by senior Drama students at Marlborough Girls College. MGC has been using the Multimask starter base ever since we first 'invented' it at Maskworx HQ three years ago. MGC have needed no special help as they have adopted an enterprising figure-it-out-as-you-go learning style. From memory, this is their 4th series and as viewers can see the results are stunning! WARNING: A side-effect of hand-making transformative action story masks in Drama Class is students may suddenly start "glowing"!! For more info on Multimask visit www.maskworx.co.nz

Maskmagical...Henna Hands & Moko Masks

2009-10-21T03:30:20Z

These masks, stunning in their simplicity, were made by 6-7 year-olds at Bailey Road School , Auckland as part of a unit studying two different interpretations of tatoo - Maori moko and Indian henna hands. [Although Maskworx does make brown-toned Multimasks] their teacher wanted her young students to learn how to create their own skin-tone effects using squished teabags. A Maori 'moko' was then added using black paper cutouts, very effective results, very achievable for youngsters, very clever way of showing how tatoo travels across cultures!! If you wish to comment on the masks displayed [and are not logged on to Photoblog] please email annette@maskworx.co.nz For more info on the Multimask starter bases visit www.maskworx.co.nz

Maskmagical..."Behind the Mask"

2009-10-13T23:45:15Z

These identity masks were cleverly made by Year 5 & 6 children (ages 9, 10, 11) to express their talents, interests and passions. On the inside of the masks, the children wrote about the side of themselves that they sometimes hide "behind a mask", such as being afraid, worrying about not being perfect, etc. Then the children sealed up the message on the back, and - like a time capsule - put a date for their "future" selves to open it up to reveal what they hid "behind the mask" as children. For more info on the Multimask starter base visit www.maskworx.co.nz

Maskmagical...Teacher Trainee Identity Unit

2009-10-01T23:49:54Z

These conceptual and compelling mask compositions were made by third year College of Education teacher trainees studying at the School of Literacies and Arts in Education, University of Canterbury, NZ as part of a unit on Identity for their course EDAR261. The lecturers who facilitated the making of these exemplary identity masks were Nicki Dabner and Gina Haines. For more info on the Multimask starter base/forma used in these creations visit www.maskworx.co.nz

Maskmagical...Classic 16th Century Commedia

2009-10-01T01:45:28Z

This set of classic Commedia dell'Arte masks were made at Albany Senior High School, Auckland NZ. Each commedia character began with a Multimask starter base which required considerable re-building using papier mache (strips of paper and flour 'n water goop) to mould the expressive features of each stock character. Shoe polish was used to create the leather-look of the original 16th century Commedia masks. These contemporary Commedia masks are as good as any sourced from Italy! More info on Multimask www.maskworx.co.nz

Maskmagical...Colourful Culture Masks

2009-09-03T03:35:04Z

This colourful collection of Culture Masks was made recently at Bailey Road Primary & Intermediate School, Auckland NZ. Educational mask making is the smart way for youngsters to gain perspectives on themselves and explore their emerging identities. They like colouring in anything covered up, ethnicities and nationalities for example. For more info on the Multimask starter base used to make these masks visit www.maskworx.co.nz

Maskmagical...Whitianga Scallop Festival Masquerade

2009-08-15T22:19:00Z

This set of beautiful masks was made for the Whitianga Scallop Festival Masquerade. It was the first time project leader Jill Bowker had ever made masks. She made them as an inter-generational mask activity with her daughter and granddaughters aged 11 and 6. Wonderful creative work, thrilling results!!!! For more info on the Multimask starter base used in these creations visit www.maskworx.co.nz