KyleH

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__Inuit Mask__ I decided to make an Alaskan Native mask because I've always liked Native American art and the fact that Alaska's environment was so harsh that we looked to the Inuits as a means of survival rather than an inconvenience that needed to be pushed onto a reservation. I like how Alaska has somehow managed to remain as wild as it had once been despite a species as invasive as man giving it sideways glances and planning to draw its rich black blood to sell by the barrel. I like Alaska's mountains that have never been climbed, its animals that remain oblivious to what humanity is, its lakes and waterfalls that have never been seen, and its unforgiving climate that insures it stay that way. I always felt that earth is heaven, the world is hell, and where I stand between the two depends on how far I am willing to walk. Places like Alaska don't exist and yet, somehow, there is one that still does. When I made this mask I knew that I wanted it to be traditional, so I only used paint and the colors black, red, and white. Besides the natural shades of woodgrain, these were the only colors available to the Inuits. I used a dull red mixed with a generous amount of water to weather the mask and give it the appearance of aged bone. With traditional masks as a muse, I painted a face and took an online test to find what totem animal should be on my mind. The most challenging part, however, was finding a way to wrap fur around the mask, as was seen on many of the dance masks Inuits made to appear hooded. After some experimenting, I found that a wire frame and additional gauze provided sturdy support and malleability for adjustments. The only disappointment I have with this project is the aurora borealis backdrop I wasn't able to create. I also tried to keep the mask from being scary, and even turned the eyebrows up to avoid it, but I am still told that it is creepy. Besides that, I am very happy with the fully functional product. When you change your appearance, you change who you are. An identity is something we invent every morning when we wake up, but this mask reminds me of what I consider important. It does not shift like the ever changing mask we call a face. Kyle Hendrick