Mask-Up: Process

Research

For this assignment, I conducted research on several things. Since the concept was centered around masks, I first researched the origins of masks and what different types of them have looked like over the years. This produced very interesting results, those of which led me to narrow my research to strictly mascarade or high fashion style masks. After realizing this was the direction I wanted to go in, I made a mind map to keep track of my thoughts and create a place where I could put my inspiration pictures. Here are both my mind map and inspiration board.

From here, I started researching how these types of masks are constructed. The mass-produced ones all seemed to be created using materials like plastic or fabric. Considering I didn’t have access to these materials as easily as I do paper or newspaper, I researched how I could make a mask using those things instead. This resulted in the idea of paper mache. I had never made anything out of paper mache prior to this project so I made sure to watch several videos and read a couple of articles before I tried anything myself. Below is a link to one of the videos I watched.

Concept Statement

Ever since the break out of the Covid-19 virus, facial masks have become an essential accessory. While some masks are stylish, the large majority of them focus more on function rather than fashion appeal. Hopeful that the pandemic will end in the near future, the goal of this project was to create a mask that does the opposite. My partner and I wanted to display the idea that masks can be something we wear by choice to enhance our outfits and appearance rather than something we have to wear for our safety. Unlike our current masks that are often blue or black and made out of protective material, my mask is colorful and shifted upwards to cover the top have of the face instead. Inspired slightly by high fashion design and the mascarade style, it shows a mainly red-based color scheme. The top portion was created using paper mache; the bottom layer is made out of plain white paper while the top, more visible layer is made out of red paper cut out from fashion magazines. Modge podge was used to adhere everything. Beyond this, my mask is outlined with silver beads and decorated with hanging chains of various lengths. Upon each chain are beads that were created similar to the eyepiece with fashion magazine pieces. The use of chains and paper adds visual interest, constraint, and cohesiveness. This production was meant to show that soon masks could be a fully artistic accessory. We hope to inspire viewers and give them a preview of what the future of masks could possibly look like.

Iterations

After choosing to move forward with the idea of using paper mache to make a stylish, high fashion-inspired mask, I started to sketch out possible iterations for what my final product could look like. I really wanted to showcase texture, color, and shape so my initial iterations included a variety of those things. Here are a few of my favorite ones I made.

Out of all these sketches, I was most drawn to the one on the top right. It demonstrated the color and style characteristics I had originally imagined and I liked the idea of cutting the mask and using beads with string to “stitch” it back together. So from here, I practiced making an iteration with modge podge and paper to get an idea of how it would work. Here is the process of making it.

Production

#1

Just as I did with my first draft, I used the manikin heads in the design studio as a mold for my mask. This part in the process was very tedious because I had to cut small strips of paper, dip them in modge podge, and then mold them around the manikin’s face.

#2

When the paper mache dried, I took it off and started to cut it into the shape I wanted it to be.

#3

Once the base was complete, I started to contemplate how I wanted to add color. I knew I wanted red to be the focus but I was torn between painting it and paper macheing another layer of colored paper on top. As can be seen above, I went with the second choice. I ended up cutting out red rectangles from a fashion magazine I had in my dorm and paper macheing it on top of the first layer.

#4

After the red layer was complete, I had a change of heart on how I wanted to further decorate the rest of the mask. Originally I had planned to cut the mask diagonally and “stitch” it back together with paper and plastic beads. I thought this was very interesting but my mom led me in a different direction. She came down the weekend before to celebrate my birthday and brought a bag of random art supplies from my house with her. Inside the bag was a metal chain link spool and immediately after I saw it, I knew I had to include it somehow. So, I decided to combine it with my first idea by having the chain link act as the base for the beads but instead of being stitched, it would be strung from the sides of the mask. I created the beads by cutting pieces of the same fashion magazine I used for the red base, rolling them around the chain, and gluing the end. Above is the end result of the four I made.

#5

Next, I attached the four chains to each other and then to the sides of the mask. Along with that, I also glued two pieces of ribbon to the inside of the mask as a means to attach it to whoever’s face was wearing it.

#6

From here, I used tacky glue to attach silver beads to the perimeter of the mask and eye holes. I wasn’t planning on doing this but after seeing the shine of the metal chain link interact with the matte paper mache, I felt like adding something shiny on the edges would create a sense of harmony. Additionally, I added another chain link with beads on it to the top part of the mask. This, similar to the silver beads, had the purpose of making the mask more cohesive.

#7

After this, my mask was complete! I took some fun pictures with my roommate for my final submission and I was so happy with the way it turned out.

Link to Portfolio Project

Now that you know how it came to be made, here’s a link to my Mask-Up page. Enjoy!

https://u.osu.edu/fricke-60/portfolio/mask-up/