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MASKS AND MYTH, A MASK MAKING AND STORYTELLING WORKSHOP
A weekend or five-day experience with Suzanne Benton
The essence of mask is transformation. Behind the mask, we suspend disbelief,
become bold, see uncertainties as creative possibilities, and experience leaps of
faith that allow long-held stories to be voiced. In the shelter of the mask our
identities expand; stirring performances of our tales emerge; we reach personal
depths that expand our capacity for expression. Whether realistic, extreme, or
minimalistic, a mask marks a separation from the ordinary world. We’re all
subject to its hypnotic power, its stylized beauty and otherworldliness. Since
ancient times, masks have mirrored, taught, and given authenticity to cultural
beliefs, values, religion, and ritual. They epitomize history, myth, and
psychology as they explore both our personal stories and our fantasies.
Masking is a universal language that communicates beyond cultures and time.
Suzanne Benton will share some of her masks, her stories of how masks
connect us with people all over the world, and present a sampling from her
repertoire of Mask and Ritual Tales. We will create masks with a mix of
papers, flowers, wire, twine, felt markers, bark, fabric, string, wood, thin
metal, feathers and glitter using scissors, staplers, glues and more.
By experiencing the physical and spiritual dimensions of these masks, we also
explore body movement and improvisation as we narrate the form of a story
that has relevance to our own lives. The masks have a way of centering a
person and giving a sense of protection in a way that encourages giving and
receiving form the center. With these masks, a thousand faces emerge and
grow as people involve themselves and experience a self-unfolding. The role of
the mask may be larger than you have imagined. The non-verbal presence of
the mystical embodiments of spirit reveal a depth that stretches beyond
anything we have yet imagined.
SUZANNE BENTON is a highly acclaimed multi-culturalist whose venues stretch
beyond her native New York City to cities and villages in Africa, India, and
Nepal, and to philosophy and education portals from Calcutta to Cambridge.
Drawing inspiration from the great mythic traditions, world history, literature,
and life stories, Suzanne has worked as a sculptor, mask maker, mask
performance artist, and printmaker in 29 countries.
A workshop leader for over 30 years, Benton is a former Fulbright Scholar
(India, 1992), resident artist at Harvard University (1997) and the recipient of
numerous grants and awards. She’s exhibited in more than 50 solo shows and
led over 100 workshops and classes in contemporary masking. Her artwork is
represented in museum and private collections worldwide. A published poet,
she’s the author of The Art of Welded Sculpture and numerous articles
www.suzannemasks.com
suzanne @suzannemasks.com
A weekend or five-day experience with Suzanne Benton
The essence of mask is transformation. Behind the mask, we suspend disbelief,
become bold, see uncertainties as creative possibilities, and experience leaps of
faith that allow long-held stories to be voiced. In the shelter of the mask our
identities expand; stirring performances of our tales emerge; we reach personal
depths that expand our capacity for expression. Whether realistic, extreme, or
minimalistic, a mask marks a separation from the ordinary world. We’re all
subject to its hypnotic power, its stylized beauty and otherworldliness. Since
ancient times, masks have mirrored, taught, and given authenticity to cultural
beliefs, values, religion, and ritual. They epitomize history, myth, and
psychology as they explore both our personal stories and our fantasies.
Masking is a universal language that communicates beyond cultures and time.
Suzanne Benton will share some of her masks, her stories of how masks
connect us with people all over the world, and present a sampling from her
repertoire of Mask and Ritual Tales. We will create masks with a mix of
papers, flowers, wire, twine, felt markers, bark, fabric, string, wood, thin
metal, feathers and glitter using scissors, staplers, glues and more.
By experiencing the physical and spiritual dimensions of these masks, we also
explore body movement and improvisation as we narrate the form of a story
that has relevance to our own lives. The masks have a way of centering a
person and giving a sense of protection in a way that encourages giving and
receiving form the center. With these masks, a thousand faces emerge and
grow as people involve themselves and experience a self-unfolding. The role of
the mask may be larger than you have imagined. The non-verbal presence of
the mystical embodiments of spirit reveal a depth that stretches beyond
anything we have yet imagined.
SUZANNE BENTON is a highly acclaimed multi-culturalist whose venues stretch
beyond her native New York City to cities and villages in Africa, India, and
Nepal, and to philosophy and education portals from Calcutta to Cambridge.
Drawing inspiration from the great mythic traditions, world history, literature,
and life stories, Suzanne has worked as a sculptor, mask maker, mask
performance artist, and printmaker in 29 countries.
A workshop leader for over 30 years, Benton is a former Fulbright Scholar
(India, 1992), resident artist at Harvard University (1997) and the recipient of
numerous grants and awards. She’s exhibited in more than 50 solo shows and
led over 100 workshops and classes in contemporary masking. Her artwork is
represented in museum and private collections worldwide. A published poet,
she’s the author of The Art of Welded Sculpture and numerous articles
www.suzannemasks.com
suzanne @suzannemasks.com
*There is an extra space before the @ for security purposes.
tel/fax 203 438-4650