| introduction to mask |
| NEUTRAL MASK |
| in communication with natural forces, EARTH, AIR, FIRE, WATER, and in celebration of fertility, planting crops, marking the seasons. It is an entry into the mystery of other realms guided by MASKED performers, trickster/storyteller/shaman/dancers. For example the KACHINA and MUDHEADS of the HOPI. Nion & Neil, Mump & Smoot, Pochsie, Fender & Mylar of the POCHINKO FALSE FACE SOCIETY. CLOWN, TRICKSTER, ZANY, is a figure in all cultures, the intermediary between the 2 worlds, the speaker of TRUTH. In the ALGONQUIN if the HEYOKA thought the CHIEF was TALKING SHIT, the CLOWN would get up and shit on the CHIEF'S HEAD. They stir things up, defy convention, frighten and amaze us with their physicality, outlandishness, other worldliness and zany, colorful antics that make us LAUGH UNTIL WE CRY. |
| Masked dancer from Fender's University of Alberta Class POCHINKO TECHNIQUE Facing yourself in the Seven Directions a GUIDED WORKSHOP of SELF-DISCOVERY The masks you make are maps of your INNER BEING leading to SELF-REALIZATION if you are willing to take the JOURNEY. |
| in which there is no past or future, no questions, no character, only observations and statements. Not too fast, nor too slow, like the neutral in your car, a starting place, ready to receive. An empty vessel removed of the inhibitive traits of the wearer, the actor. An intermediary between the wearer and the spirit character mask world of play. To assume NEUTRAL we internalize NECESSITY only what is necessary to stand, sit, walk, love, be... with ECONOMY of movement, gesture and express this necessity, this economy, in a UNIVERSAL way we always clear and prepare for mask work with NEUTRAL (click for more on neutral mask) |
| c. nion, 2001 |
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