MASK ARCHAELOLOGY
I've signed up for my 2nd Mask-Making course run by Graham. We began with a PowerPoint presentation, including film and notes from Graham's recent funded research project in Bhutan, and the opportunity to choose the half-log we'd be carving over the next few weeks; 2nd session in the program was a field trip to Castle Hill. learning about the history & formation of the chalky ground beneath our feet, with evidence of use by farm vehicles and animals as well as walkers. A busy terrain. And the site of an undocumented structure that may have been a look-out post or communications point during the 2nd World War - who knows? Partially shrouded by overgrown bushes and ground cover, I was drawn to taking a picture of the 'spigot' that may once have housed a communication mast.A circular journey - ending where we began. And the site where life ended as evidenced by the burial mounds, or (bowl) barrows we were shown, and which farmers are careful to work round, leaving oddly-shaped areas of unworked ground amidst the hard, clay ploughed fields.
I was drawn to the organic circles all around me:
Graham shared a couple of essays with us on the history and significance of Castle Hill and surrounding area, and one on the part landscape plays in how it provides materiality and inspiration in mask-making, which were a useful grounding and resource.
The landscape, with it's paths and windblown trees reminded me of the little palm-sized book I'd stumbled upon in Jubilee library a few weeks earlier: Path - A short story about reciprocity, by Louisa Thomsen Brits:
As I walked I collected sprigs spiky, berry-bearing hawthorn, and a bright, cheery periwinkle. I had no idea, then, of the significance of that flower in relation to the bowl barrows we were about to be introduced to. We learned of their origins and how they were piggy-backed at a later time; two losses at very different times, superimposed; some had been cremated, but the bodies of children were inhumated - inserted into the sides of the barrows. On returning home, I discovered that periwinkle, Vinca Major, or Minor (dogbane, creeping myrtle, sorcerer's violet, or fairy's paintbrush), in Italy, is known as 'fiore di morte (flower of death) commonly used to weave garlands and wreaths for the graves of children.' It's dualistic nature means it appears at funerals and weddings (thought to be the origin of the saying 'something blue'). Also used to treat cancer, and cognitive / memory issues. It has the ability to survive difficult places.
The walk was a real struggle as I'd not kept up my regular weekly hikes for some time; I wanted to give up - but couldn't - I had to get back to our starting point, and no-one could help me. I had no idea that the hawthorn sprigs I was holding on so tightly throughout is for 'Healing Heart & Soul: Associated with both the physical and emotional heart, hawthorn is often used in herbal medicine to treat heart conditions and is believed to help heal emotional damage, such as grief or heartbreak.'
I picked up a large piece of bark to bring back with me - wanting, if at all possible, to make a mask from something foraged from the walk. I'll see what I can do once it's dried out...
Meanwhile, we were able to pick up from where we left off the week before - taking the edges off our half-log and getting the feel of the material and what it might suggest to our imagination...
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