The Masks We Wear

I read an article in the NY Times today that gave me an idea for a Lesson Plan. The article talked about Halsman-a photographer who caught several notable people on film jumping. He called it jumpology. He said that when people are thinking about jumping --actually jumping--they let their mask down and he is able to capture who they really are.

I thought it would be fun for students to design a mask that hides who they are--maybe a hidden face behind the mask, and then write a paper about who they are, what they mask, and why they mask this, and ultimately is it a good thing to mask. Because there are very good reasons to present ourselves in appropriate ways to the several communities we belong to. Where did we learn to hide? What would happen if we wore no masks. This could lead to a much deeper conversation about societies claims on us. Example, the repercussions of wearing sketcher shapers in CA is completely different than wearing them in Utah. This can lead to how communities actually define themselves--what the expectations are.

A follow-up activity could be making a mask for a parent or close relative--how the student perceives the public and private person and what they think about it.

We could start the lesson by reviewing some of halsman work. Perhaps even the 6 Q’s About the News. Take some pictures and see what we get and then move into the mask assignment.