Traditional Romanian Masks
Traditional Romanian Masks I've sewn between 2020-2021.
The beauty of a lot of these masks traditionally is that they come to life from the things that surround you. After all, their purpose is to make you feel comforted and protected against all negative spirits. Behind these masks, man has found the power and freedom to express himself fully and speak in a way he might not otherwise be allowed to in normal life. And in a way, all art represents the artist’s mask, not as a way of concealing but as a way of revealing the artist’s true self and spirit. I see the mask as an instrument or a bridge between ourselves and the infinite unknown world past the senses. We only know the world through our senses, what happens when we look beyond?
Their nature is contradictory, playful in the making and serious in the outcome. In Romanian tradition, these masks are supposed to be as ugly as possible to scare away the evil and the negative energies. In contrast, they give such positive vibes and make you feel protected and happy. The process of making and wearing a mask is incredibly emotional as it involves the irreversible process of giving time.
FULL STORY IN CULTARTES MAGAZINE:
MASK II
Captured by Keita Ikeda, Embodied by myself
MASK III
Captured by Corina Andrian, Embodied by Keita Ikeda
MASK IV
Captured by Corina Andrian, Embodied by Keita Ikeda
MASK V
Captured by Corina Andrian, Embodied by Keita Ikeda
