Revealing the talent behind the mask
T
–Cara
hroughout the world masks are
used for their expressive power as a
feature of masked performance - both
ritually and in various theatre traditions.
Over the centuries they have been used
for protection, in feasts or in wars, for
ceremonies or in theatrical performances.
Masks are used almost universally and
maintain their power and mystery both
for their wearers and their audience.
They continue to be popular with various
audiences – for carnival, children’s parties
and Halloween, with mass produced
masks often associated with characters in
popular films, TV programmes or cartoon
characters. Their popularity is a reminder
of the enduring power of pretence and play,
and of the power and appeal of masks.
But moving away from their mainstream
popular appeal, there’s not a hint of a
cheap plastic mask or a thin nylon black
cloak to be found in QMU’s busy costume
design workshop. Instead, an intriguing
array of handcrafted creations adorn the
cutting tables. Amongst the stray slithers
of lace and silk, is a selection of bespoke
masks and hats suitable for all genres of
theatre.
The Costume Design and Construction
s t u d e n t s h ave b e e n h a r d a t wo r k
crafting original one-off designs for their
assessments. These beautiful masks and
millinery range in style from the mythical
to the outlandish, with some suitable for
a British period drama and others for
something altogether more tropical. Some,
even from the lower year groups, wouldn’t
be out of place in productions like the ‘Lion
King’ or ‘Downtown Abbey’.
We’d like to share with you a selection
of the stunning masks and millinery
constructed by students on the BA
(Hons) Costume Design and Construction
programme. We hope some of you will
join us, later in the year, at ‘Costume
Showcase’, where many of these creations
will take centre stage.
All masks in this six page feature are created by 1st and 2nd year Costume Design and
Construction students with photography by award-winning photographer Hamish Scott-Brown.
QMYOU / Creativity & Culture / Hunter and the Hunted
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