Masks and Puppets: the conclusion

8th week

A week of reflections and final analysis of what masks and puppets are...

What is a mask?According to the pragmatic definition (USE) a mask can be any object that covers the face.
Masks can be gigantic or small, and are used to represent/transform actors in theatre by hiding parts of their faces and some face expressions. They represent human, animal or organic features to an extent.


Masks are used for disguise and have been used for ages in the history of theatre, however, there are some questions that have appeared about their use..


*Are miniature masks "real" masks or just "replicas"?According to our essential definition,  miniature masks do not cover the face of an actor, and as they are not used to disguise, can be considered just replicas and not masks.


*Is a nose, or anything that covers parts of the actor's face a mask?A clown nose for example, changes the features and physicality of an actor, and we all agreed in class that we would consider them a mask.

However, wouldn't it be the same using a "big nose", big glasses or big ears? Some people argued that they should be considered make-up and not masks, however, if they are changing features of the actor, and transforming a character, shouldn't they be considered masks?

*Do masks need to hide the actor's face? (reference- The Lion King, Broadway)

Our definition says that masks need to cover, hide and transform the actors face, therefore, this big heads can be considered puppets, such as the ones we have studied, whith "cuerpo prestado", and without covering the face (puppeteers aren't always hided and can be seen)

We learnt that masks show fixed physical features and impressions (regardless of what the actor's face is doing), but in our daily lives, aren't we to an extent wearing masks?
Are there physical and psychogical masks?

For example, in "Más pequeños que el Gugenheim", we considered that each character used psichological masks, which hided things, feelings and intentions to others- or attitudes towards the rest.

For example, Sunday had the "mask" of "el machito latino", acting as one and even saying nicknames such as "maricon" to others.. however, he admitted to be gay, and this was the real face inside his mask.

The play was built from the outside to the inside (so stereotipes such as Sunday's were used as masks for the characters).

So, according to this play, are we wearing masks in our daily lives?
What makes us be who we are, and how people look at us?

Artaud said that theatre lets you put a masks which brings "the real you".. and that it is more true thatn everyday life.

This is true if we analyse that with the use of masks, the movements of the actor are revealed, and the body cannot lie.


What is a puppet?
According to the dictionary, it is a small figure of a person or animal having a cloth body and hollow head, designed to be fittet over and manipulated by the hand.


However! puppets aren't always small, there are MANY kinds and sizes.
"Any object that comes to life on stage thanks to the life that the puppeteer gives it" is a puppet, not just a figure made of cloth and a head..
Puppeteers have to define the posture, way of walking, and intentions of the eyes to prevent the puppet become just an object.
Are puppets the starting point?Puppeteers usually end up doing what the puppet "asks for", and every movement or action they do must be justified (COHERENT + STRUCTURED MOVEMENTS = LIFE)
So, how do Masks and Puppets connnect?
Both elements can achieve things that human actors can't.
Masks for example, huge/weird/funny/impossible features
Puppets: huge/funny/weird features and impossible actions, such as flying


Both elements transform actors, are used for disguise, and actors have to accomodate to what they can offer. Puppets and masks need to be explored before they are used.They have fixed expressions, whith determine specific characteristics or feelings.


Masks and Puppets are the perfect examples of LIMITS in theatre. They amuse the audience, and ask more from the artists.
In theatre "we put the maximum effort to get the minimum result", and both elements ask for the creativity to find the best way of overcoming the obstacles they present.
We are "witnesses" of this in the school play..Even from the beggining (making the puppets and masks) their use has been an obstacle as they ask more effort and training from all the actors.


***

If a miniature mask is used on your finger, or in a puppet, would t it be a mask or part of the puppet's "face" (As a puppet is an unanimated object)?

Are glasses (elements used in daily lives) "daily masks"?

Are limits a "key element" for the production of a good play?