Project 7: COLOR SCHEMES STUDIES

AT 103/ Basic Design I

FALL 2011

Project 7

Masks: COLOR SCHEMES STUDIES

Materials:  Bristol board, cardboard, illustration board, Acrylic Painting, brushes, Color swatches, x-acto knife, scissors, glue

CONCEPT

Oscar Wilde once said: "Give a man a mask and he'll tell you the truth."

Masks conceal, protect and disguise.

They impose a layer in how we observe the world surrounding us, and how others perceive us.

They may give us the courage to speak freely, help us transcend physical limitations.

They add mystery and power to our rituals, amplify or hide our emotions, frighten, entertain, intimidate, and even protect us.

A mask is simultaneously concealing and revealing. The simplest covering can have a profound effect on both the wearer and viewer.

The tradition of masks offers limitless exploration. In a time when the bounds between real and assumed identities are becoming more indistinct, several contemporary artists have turned to the form to investigate issues of identity, power and provocation.

ASSIGNMENT 

1-     Research on traditional masks from different countries and cultures, as well as contemporary artists and designers working with the concept of masks. You can begin visiting:
http://www.masksoftheworld.com/

2-     In your sketchbook, make notes and sketches from the materials that may be of your interest.

3-     Using your color swatches make small color sketches in your sketchbook. While sketching, consider the color schemes you want to focus in relation to your mask concept.

4-     Incorporate elements of design you have been working on in class that are applicable to your concept. These masks should represent a visual synthesis of visual elements reviewed: line, texture, shape, color, value throughout a careful consideration of the interaction between positive and negative space.

5-     From Sketches, you will choose 2 designs and will develop them full size. 

The size of the mask should be scaled in relation to your face/head, but you can design them in even in larger scale if that fits your concept, and even work three-dimensionally.

You will be mixing and creating your own colors using acrylics, but you can also include some interventions of magazines and color swatches collage on them.

You will select 2 different color schemes to work on, based on the concept of your masks.

You may work in the same, or similar design with different color schemes and you will then notice how the same mask design will communicate different concepts, provoking different reactions and feelings depending on the color scheme chosen.