Virginia Taylor

6/2/2016

QUESTION: Examine and compare/contrast the use and creation of different styles of tribal masks throughout various African tribes. In what ways do the functions of the masks remain the same? How does one qualify these masks as art in Western culture when they are made for a practical purpose in these tribes?

3 BASIC MASK STYLES TO FOCUS ON:

DAN MASK
The Dan Mask is a mask commonly used among the Dan tribe found in Liberia and along the Ivory Coast. These masks are considered incredibly sacred objects; they are believed to protect the wearer as well as allow for communication with the spirit world. Dan masks are most commonly used during ritual dances and ceremonies to allow for contact between the spirit world and the human world, and every Dan mask has a different use during these ceremonies.

LWALWA MASK
The Lwalwa Mask is utilized by the Lwalwa Tribe stretching from the Democratic Republic all the way into Angola. These masks are incredibly special, as they are only worn by men during ceremonies known as "bangongo", which is a ceremony in which young men are initiated into adulthood. These masks are considered some of the most valuable among the Lwalwa tribe, so the artisans who craft them are highly regarded.

YOHURE MASK
Yohure Masks are a vital part of the society of the Yohure tribe, a tribe who mainly resides on the Ivory Coast of Africa. These masks are created in order to help members of the tribe feel a better sense of peace with the death of one of their people--the masks represent Yu spirits who, when the mask is worn during a ceremony, can restore balance to a hurting tribe. The masks are considered incredibly powerful for this reason, they are often kept out of the site of women for fear of the dangerous supernatural powers.

Click on the images below to enlarge. These photos depict real examples of the masks explained above, and characteristics can be noted between the graphically created images and real-life examples!

MAJOR THEMES
-use of masks in ritual ceremonies and gatherings
-masks often allow for a connection between the human world and the spirit world, thus they hold very significant religious meanings
-masks are generally considered very powerful and important
-special status is often attributed to artists that can create these masks, as it is seen to be a specialized, and sometimes even divine skill
OVERALL: Masks are created in these beautiful ways because of their significance, not simply as works of art. Many tribes use ornate detail and beautiful coloring in masks to emphasize their importance in the community, as well as honor the gods through a beautiful offering.

This video is so interesting in that it briefly explains how Picasso drew inspiration from African masks in his revolutionary, and honestly quite controversial, style of cubism. Many Western artists saw these masks as art, reveling in their aesthetic qualities and interesting geometry rather than truly understanding their symbolic and historical meaning. Are African masks simply art, or should they be considered something more because of their practical and often religious use in African tribes?

A few examples of work from Picasso's "African Period" (approx. 1906-1909). During this time, Picasso began to develop the early backings of Cubism, all inspired by the geometry and lines of African masks.

CONCLUSION

African masks are truly recognizable in their geometry and construction, unlike anything ever seen in the art world. As a result, many more Western artists, specifically Picasso, used these masks as inspiration for the geometry in his work, ultimately leading to the development of his style of Cubism. The numerous African tribes and unique mask styles of each allowed for limitless inspiration for these Western artists, however, many more Western artists did not truly understand the significance behind these masks, only admiring them for their aesthetic qualities.

CITATIONS

Art and Painting: About Picasso's African Art. EHow, 2009.

Dan. Dean Gle Mask, late 19th-early 20th century. Wood, pigment, 9 3/4 x 6 x 3 in. (24.8 x 15.2 x 7.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Evelyn K. Kossak, 80.244.

Lwalwa Mask 19th-10th century Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood, hide, pigment H. 12 5/8 x W. 8 x D. 7 1/2 in., The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979

Pablo Picasso, 1907, Head of a Sleeping Woman (Study for Nude with Drapery), oil on canvas, 61.4 x 47.6 cm, The Museum of Modern Art, New York

Pablo Picasso, Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, 1907, Oil on Canvas, 243.9 cm × 233.7 cm, Location Museum of Modern Art. Acquired through the Lillie P. Bliss Bequest, New York City

Pablo Picasso, 1907, Nu aux bras levés (Nude)

Yohure. Mask, early 20th century. Wood, height: 12 in. (30.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Eugene Becker, 77.240.

12 Comments

Alex Norman

6/3/2016 09:45:43 am

Virginia! Your presentation was fascinating. I've always been curious about African masks and their meanings, but I had never really considered their influence on modern art. When I saw the images in your post I was reminded of a National Geographic article I read on the use of mask-making as a therapy to help soldiers manage symptoms of PTSD. Here's the link: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/healing-soldiers/. There are a lot of similarities in the shape and forms of the masks. So although the spiritual significance of masks may have been taken for granted as modern artists incorporated the forms for their geometric intrigue, it's neat to see masks still serving as a psychological, connective tool in our western society.

Josie Ladle

6/8/2016 02:03:49 pm

Ok, I know I just said this on Ben's post, but your layout is AWESOME and so so so easy to follow. I think I might be in love. But with you or your post???? Tune in next time to find out B-)

But for real, I thought it was really relevant how you brought up the whole Western appreciation-but-also-borderline-appropriation-maybe(?) topic. You're definitely right, people who aren't a part of the cultures usually don't know everything (or anything) about the significance of items like the masks that carry religious/etc. weight. I actually have a great-aunt/uncle in Wyoming who have an African-themed guest room (classic white Wyoming-ers, amirite?) that has what I assume to be Pier 1 Imports' interpretation of tribal masks hanging on the walls. I'm positive my aunt/uncle just stuck them there to complete the ~~aesthetic~~. Maybe I should send them your post ;~)

Ben Widener

6/9/2016 09:45:08 am

Your post layout was great! Short and sweet while still covering all of the content very well! I loved how you simplified the mask types down to three and went over the major themes in one select portion of your project. The video and contemporary connections were fascinating; I never knew masks could be so intersting and you raised my interest of african culture.

Lyla Rossi

6/9/2016 10:01:40 pm

This is so cool! I love that these masks were indicative and unique to the certain tribes. In that sense, it reminds me of a suggested implication of the Venus statues that we studied...wow, 9 months ago?! Although we remember there were several interpretations of their uses, the Venus figures could have been ways for a certain group of people to identify themselves, similar to the way these masks are purposed or stand for. At the same time, I loved how you referenced the different purposes of the masks in the culture's ceremonies and practices, because they were not only for decoration or art; they were part of their way of life. Also, love the Picasso connection, because it's so so evident. And there's something just so beautiful about those shapes together.

Erin Paasch

6/9/2016 11:19:46 pm

This is so interesting! Thinking that Cubism, which has become (unfortunately) entirely synonymous with a Western art movement, was taken for the geometric nature of tribal masks is both mind-blowing and a little bit disheartening. It is truly a shame that cultural appropriation can go on such a grand scale to the point where the cultural element is essentially stolen and repurposed.

Ishani Pendse

6/10/2016 01:14:07 am

Yo good job Virginia! I really liked your visuals. I agree with Erin. It is terrible how Africans were seen as "primitive" and "lacking culture" during the times of colonialism however their art which had very vital functions were a significant source of influence for one of the biggest art movements.

Campbell Wharton

6/10/2016 08:12:32 am

hey, this was pretty great! your knowledge and use of the past culture and meanings of these masks was really interesting. my favorite part was how you referenced the many different styles of masks all over the coasts of Africa, it can't be easy to identify the differences of each mask as precisely as you did.

Evelyn

6/10/2016 08:34:26 am

Awesome post! This is a great didactic tool and I can tell that you put a lot of effort into it. You make some good points and I find it especially interesting parallels and ideas you've made in this in comparison to your seminar paper/presentation. You've pulled together some great ideas and I this piece.

Alix Elizabeth

6/10/2016 08:44:01 am

You have a really great layout here, especially your image alignment. It's really interesting to see the extent to which African masks have been utilised in Western art and in most cases removed from their original cultural contexts - it's good that you brought up the issue of cultural appropriation. Again, really nice job!

Helena Trevor

6/10/2016 08:59:03 am

I find this very interesting because I have seen African masks and Picasso's work but never thought about connections between them before, even though, looking at them now, they seem so similar. It is unfortunate that some of the history is lost, since Western artists cannot appreciate it beyond aesthetics. Your presentation is somewhat connected to Campbell's in terms of the importance of oral histories and performance art and I think its really cool that visual and performance art can be combined in rituals.

Ellie Kim

6/10/2016 09:53:08 am

I absolutely love your post!! It's so well done and so nice to look at and read - good job!!! I love how you compared the masks to Picasso's work - the shapes are so similar. Your topic is also so interesting - it is so cool how different African cultures had different masks that reflected their tradition. So cool!!!

Sophia Mccrimmon

6/14/2016 02:50:21 pm

This is so cool and another great example of the complicated dynamics of cultural appropriation. Picasso's "African Period" is really interesting artistically, but it becomes a little more troubling and problematic when you think about how he removed these images and masks from their deep and intricate cultural context.

Virginia Taylor

3 BASIC MASK STYLES TO FOCUS ON:

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