Andreas Loeschner-Gornau
German Artist

Masks

Online Store

Older ArtWorks:

Work Until-2011

Work 2012-2016

"Apostel"

Sculpture

PLA Patina 30cm

"Ares"

Sculpture

PLA, Patina, Iron 30cm

"Hephaistos"

Sculpture

Ceramics, Stoneware 40cm

"Thanatos"

Sculpture

Ceramics, Stoneware 40cm

"Mars"

Sculpture

Ceramics, Stoneware 40cm

"Maske"

Sculpture

PLA, Patina, Iron 30cm

"Perseus"

Sculpture

Ceramics, Stoneware 40cm

"Morpheus"

Sculpture

PLA, Patina, Iron 30cm

Sculpture

"Apostel" PLA Patina 30cm

Sculpture

"Ares" PLA, Patina, Iron 30cm

Sculpture

"Hephaistos" Ceramics, Stoneware 40cm

Sculpture

"Thanatos" Ceramics, Stoneware 40cm

Sculpture

"Mars" Ceramics, Stoneware 40cm

Sculpture

"Maske" PLA, Patina, Iron 30cm

Sculpture

"Perseus" Ceramics, Stoneware 40cm

Sculpture

"Morpheus" PLA, Patina, Iron 30cm
The root of the mask lies in religious acts (cults). Masks are still used today by ethnic groups and indigenous peoples in ritual dances to worship protective deities or to ward off evil spirits. The mask, which covers the face or is worn as a headdress, is only part of what is meant by this in most ethnic cultures. The costumes made of fabrics or plant fibers are an indispensable part of the entire mask. Carved masks are also forms of plastic art, above all they are part of a ritual or a mask performance or a dance. Beings, helping spirits or personified natural forces that mediate between the world of humans and that of the gods and ancestors are realistically and impressively portrayed. Mask appearances played an important role in the kingdoms of Africa: Their appearances are manifestations of different systems of education, instruction, social, cultural and economic integration, but also social control up to the judicial and punishing function as well as the exercise and regulation of political power. To this day, the wearers of a mask are not simply seen as people in disguise, they connect with the spirits or ancestors for the people taking part in the ritual. The mask wearers "speak" to the spirits through a mirliton with a distorted voice. The Igbo of Nigeria use the Oja flute to communicate in their mask dances instead. The flute and the character masks are said to have magical powers. The production of a mask was and is therefore often done in compliance with ritual regulations and in complete seclusion. Masks could be sacrificed or given a special power charge.