Mask Workshop - Nov 1997 with Samuel Avital

Report by Tim Chartier

Entering the mask workshop with Samuel Avital in Boulder, Colorado, I anticipated learning about the construction and use of the mask in mime. Yet again, Samuel taught mime and how art enriches the living of each moment. He taught about masks in mime, in ourselves, in our society and in the world.

Masks surround us. Even children are encouraged to use masks when they are told, "OK, now put on a happy face!" Athletes often speak of a game face. Yet, masks extend beyond the face. Clothes can be used as a mask to create a neutral look or pronounce a feature. We place titles and jobs in front of our inner being as masks between us and intimacy. Even a house can mask residents from connections with neighbors. Quick verbal statements can serve to mask deeper insights and feelings. Look around and see the many masks surrounding you! It can be liberating to see the masks. Knowing they are there we can gain the ability to take the masks off when desired.

The neutral mime mask serves as a tool in understanding ourselves. The mask removes facial expression from the mime and emphasizes the body. As I worked with the mask, I had a heightened awareness of my body as it spoke, shared, and communicated. Reflecting on life, I see how quickly my face can mask my being. Yet, throughout life, my body whispers and shouts messages from within me. To be in touch with myself, my being, my soul, I can listen to my body which is often more true and honest even with myself.

The mask taught me to integrate my entire being in expression. Stripped of facial features, I was thrown into a land with a foreign language--the language of BodySpeak™. In this land, bodies speak to each other. At first, the strange language confused me. Soon, I discovered how familiar BodySpeak™ is to me. I have known it my whole life. I knew it well in my childhood. It is just a matter of remembering and never forgetting.

The mask teaches us about our bodies, our lives, our thoughts, and our own masks both tangible and invisible. The lessons taught through the mask and the art of mime are ideas that enrich life. They are lessons which must be kept alive and not scattered in the whirlwinds of the world. Mime teaches us to be free with ourselves. Mime helps us learn how to lower our masks and share the essence of the presence which creates who we are.

Tim Chartier <Timothy.Chartier@Colorado.EDU>