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Reviews of "Masks from Around the World: A personal collection." "When looking into the eyes of a mask the observer is transported to another place in time. Mystery and magic, story and culture unfold. Collector Garth Dahl shares his passion for masks he has collected from around the world in this brilliantly designed and photographed book. Dahl freely admits he is not an anthropologist or museum curator but that he himself for years has been drawn to the fascination and beauty of masks. It is his willingness to share his collection with others that he is due credit. In this sharing, Dahl attempts to reflect upon a disappearing ancient art while witnessing the progression of mask making into what one calls cultural tourism. The book may provide interest to fellow aficionados as Dahl gives suggestions on how to barter and where to locate masks. In Dahl's brief introductions to the regions we get a glimpse of the importance of masks around the world. A useful chapter for educators is the interview with First Nation Mask Carver, Reg Davidson.
The collection is visually intriguing and provides a good supplementary
resource for students studying the art of mask making and design." back HOME or scroll down to read the next interview: "Joseph Campbell's advice to Bill Moyers (The Power of Myth) was "Follow your bliss". This is exactly what Garth Dahl has done with his fascination for masks. Not only has he collected masks, but has pursued his interest into the ways that masks are made, leading to the section on the masks of Reg Davidson, Haida carver and the use of masks in the End of Mourning ritual when human remains we repatriated. The book is a gentle introduction to an interest that let the author into a pursuit which opened up new areas of knowledge around the world. The experience of travel has new dept when one has a focus. From buying masks because they intrigued him, Dr. Dahl came to love the skill and imagination they show. The titles he has given to some of his collection reflect this love. Then he went deeper into interest in the people who make masks. Because the book is well-illustrated with excellent frontal views of the masks, as well as dimensions and materials, it has other things to offer. The intrigue of other perceptions of familiar objects leaps to the eye. Most of the masks are of the human face, a very familiar object, yet the variety of presentations is fascinating when seen through the depictions by people from different cultures on different continents. As Dr. Dahl writes, "Yet, when I think of what I could find in Australia, New Guinea, China or Russia, I get the urge to travel again." (p. 76) This personal journey is expressed in simple, direct language. Not only does it describe how an interest opened the way to new realms of knowledge, it is a model. One can connect to new realms through any source that fascinates one into deeper inquiry. The book also has notes and lists of further books connected to masks. It does meet its expressed aims. It shows how persistence and awareness lead to great satisfaction. Some of these masks were found in flea markets, sales and in passing. Others were purchased in markets in Central America, Mexico, or from artisans in Asia, Europe or Hawaii. When Dr. Dahl bought from the mask makers, he enquired further about the cultural setting of their work, and the techniques for the different materials. Some of his examples are made of leather, papier mâchè, wood, clay or straw, while others are compound in material.
As an anthropologist, I would like to see more on the ways in which masks
communicate by form, proportion, distortion, color and material, and a
great deal more on cultural symbolism. I think that as time goes on Dr.
Dahl will go beyond the externals that originally intrigued him and will
go more and more deeply into the meaning of these objects crafted with
purpose". back HOME or scroll down to read the next interview:
"In his concise and beautifully presented book Masks From Around the World, Garth
Dahl shares his infectious wonder and appreciation of masks. Each of the
masks is shown in a full-colour image and enhanced by a name as well as
dimensions, materials, country of origin, purchase location and often
the purpose. This accessible and informative book might spark more than
a passing personal interest in masks. Masks From Around the World
is an excellent resource to begin your collection." back HOME or scroll down to read the next interview: "Terrible Beauty of Masks From Around the World." Masks From Around The World presents a fascinating array of pictures of masks from "around the world", with a background of anecdotes, vignettes, ceremonies, and setting that give a sense of the connectedness of world cultures, history, and human imagination. The book covers every corner of the globe: from Africa to Europe , from Latin America to the Pacific Rim . Wood, clay, animal skin, and precious stones are some of the substances used in making the intriguing impressions of the masks. "Wise Owl" (Boruca Nation) and "Thinking With the Heart" ( Ghana ) are made of wood, "Mystery With Enchantment" ( San Jose ) is leather-work, and "Stone Faces" ( Mexico ) is made of jade and onyx. "Zeus The Ruler" ( Naxos ) is of clay, "Enchantress" ( Czech Republic ) is fabric, and, "Mr. Turtle" ( Hong Kong ) is a mixture of turtle shell, metal, and stone. This book is also striking in its representation of the landscape of masks, that is, the forests that house the raw materials for the masks, the animals, vegetation, trees, and other lives that not only surround the masks but also provide raw material for making them. Coconut gardens, veldts with zebra majesties, humanoid, anthropomorphic, realistic, and other masks form an array of statements as we contemplate them in their backdrops. Just as the masks invoke cultural and historical sagas, the enchanting plants and flowers also tell their own stories and enlarge the meaning of the masks. However, some masks hang loose from their original context, and even though we are captivated by their beauty and thrilled by their magic, we know little or nothing of their origin, purpose, and other information about their contextual configuration. Many masks in this book tell of ancient civilizations, peoples and customs. They tell of cross-cultural and intercontinental migrations and connections. Did you know about the Taino indigenes living in Cuba before Christopher Columbus went there? Did you know of Africa's cultural diversity and sophistication long before European colonization? Have you thought of the similarity between masks and architectural design? You will learn of all these and more in the book. Look out for "Braver Totem" with its humanoid and architectural levels. African, Mexican, Chinese, and Spanish influences mutate in the masks of Costa Rica , evoking stories of the Spanish conquest, enslavement, resilience and survival in rich plastic cum sculptural contexts. "Thinking Gecko" is as much a puzzle as it is a philosophical allusion to Ghanaian anase traditions. "Two-Headed Swordsman" traveled from a remote village in Zambia to South Africa and Cuba , before making it to Canada . The author gives us a more personal appreciation of the masks by incorporating the voice of the artist at work, as well as his personal experience of a First Nation ceremony. There are pictures of the mask carver and interviews that explain the work process. It is very interesting to hear an artist, Reg Davidson, talk about how the artistic spirit directs the process of carving and mask animation, so that we understand his information that "a mask comes alive when I use it in dance." The "End of Mourning" ceremony is part of the larger program of events around the passage of deceased relations to the spirit realm. Mask, human, spirit, color and ceremony come together in the natural background where the ocean sand, water, air and fire assume new significance in the ceremony that fills the author with awe, emotion, and a deep sense of bonding. He believes that "memories of such moments last a lifetime." If you want more appreciation of the pieces that you see in museums and art galleries, this book is for you. If you are a student of anthropology, religion, or art history wanting to have a general sense of world cultures without the usual academic hassle, this is your book with captivating pictures, illustrations, and cultural insights. If you are curious about the grotesque, the sublime and the magical, this book gives you that sense of wonder and discovery, when you go through the pages as if you are walking through a haunting gallery of the art, history, mythology. The plus point of this book is Garth Dahl's approach from the viewpoint of a tourist who shares his joy, awe, fun, and fascination with masks." Reviewed by Chinyere G. Okafor, PhD.,Professor of English and Women's Studies, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas, U.S.A. back HOME or scroll down to read the next interview: "Masks are an important part of aboriginal customs, ceremonial rituals, and cultural celebrations from time immemorial. They are also cultural icons and impressive works of art. "Masks From Around The World: A Personal Collection" by Garth Dahl represents outstanding examples of the ceremonial mask drawn from such culturally disparate ethnic backgrounds as those from communities and peoples of Latin America, Africa, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. Offering more than just a simple photo gallery of distinctive and colorful mask, "Masks From Around The World" also provides readers with informed backgrounds to their ceremonial meaning and usage. Of special note is Dahl's interview with noted West Coast carver and mask maker Reg Davidson on how makers of masks expresses their particular culture through their creations. Another valued contribution is the 'End of Mourning' section drawing much needed attention to the continuing and wide-spread injustice to sacred burial grounds by treasure hunters - and even occasionally in the name of archaeological and anthropological research. Enhanced throughout with full color photography, "Masks From Around The World" is a unique and enthusiastically recommended contribution to personal, community library, and academic library Ethnological Studies reference collections and supplemental reading lists." - The Bookwatch, Reviewer's choice. back HOME or scroll down to read the next interview:
"I read it with great interest, and am very impressed with the author's
ability to recount his experience". |