mexican day of the dead masks
Objective: students will create a sugar skull mask inspired by the history of dia de los muertos.
History:
steps:
First, sketch and plan out the design for your mask! Will yours be a certain theme? Will it incorporate traditional Mexican designs such as marigolds or butterflies? Will one color be the primary emphasis of your piece?
Next, you have two choices in styles of mask you can create. You can use powdered plaster or plaster casting.
Powdered Plaster-Powdered plaster will be used with warm water to create a thick paste. The paste will then fill a pre-made mold of a face. This is a neutral looking style which will result in a heavier sculpture. See class examples.
Plaster Casting-Casting involves the use of plaster strips, cut and soaked in water and then applied on top of a mask mold. With plaster casting, you can add pieces of plaster to enhance your mask, creating a plaster flower, spider, or other material. This style mask will be hollow on the inside and you are able to cut through this plaster to create holes in your mask as well. See class examples.
Powdered Plaster-Powdered plaster will be used with warm water to create a thick paste. The paste will then fill a pre-made mold of a face. This is a neutral looking style which will result in a heavier sculpture. See class examples.
Plaster Casting-Casting involves the use of plaster strips, cut and soaked in water and then applied on top of a mask mold. With plaster casting, you can add pieces of plaster to enhance your mask, creating a plaster flower, spider, or other material. This style mask will be hollow on the inside and you are able to cut through this plaster to create holes in your mask as well. See class examples.
Once dry, you are encouraged to start painting your mask. You will be using acrylic paint but can also embellish your mask in other ways including beading, jewels, feathers, etc. Think about what your mask represents and the spirits it would be attached to.
Google classroom response question:
What impact does tradition play on a culture? What impact does culture play on tradition?