Human Facial Expressions in Masks

Human Facial Expression in a Mask

Masks not only cover the face, but also reveal a new personality. The mask tradition cannot be separated from the makeup tradition. Makeup or painting on the face makes a person’s personality different from the original. In the tradition of wayang wong or wayang orang from Java, the colors, lines, and decorations on the wayang wong’s makeup show the character’s character.

The characters in Peking (Beijing) opera have their own meaning in their makeup. The makeup character in Peking opera has 4 kinds of characters, namely sheng, dan, jing, chou. The four types of makeup characters are divided into two parts, namely mocai (applying powder and coloring the face naturally) and goulian (drawing and painting faces). Likewise, with the tradition of make-up and masks of the archipelago.

Expression - Woro Mastuti

Each region in Indonesia has its own mask vocabulary: tapuk (Old Javanese), tapel (Bali, Lombok), kedok (Javanese-Sundanese), hudoq (Dayak), toping (Batak Simalungun), gundala-gundala (Karo). In its development, the term mask has expanded its meaning. This is reflected in the art of ondel-ondel (Batavian), ogoh-ogoh (Balinese), barong landung (Balinese), Sisingaan (Sundanese), burak or buroq (Cirebon) which not only covers the face, but also covers the whole body of the person who wears it.

Joglo House Woro Mastuti

Setiadarma’s House of Masks and Puppets

Setiadarma Mask & Puppet House (RTWSD) located in Central Tengkulak Banjar, Sukawati, Gianyar (Bali) has a collection of around 1300 masks from various regions at home and abroad, including Betawi, Cirebon, Yogyakarta, Madura, Bali, Lombok, Batak , Sulawesi and Papua. The collection of foreign masks comes from Cambodia, Myanmar, Japan, Korea, China, India, Italy, Africa. In addition to masks, there is a collection of puppets which number around 6000 pieces from various regions in Indonesia and abroad. RTWSD was founded in 2006 by Hadi Sunyoto, a cultural observer and businessman with his colleague, (late) Prayitno, who is also a cultural observer. The purpose of establishing this RTWSD is to introduce the community to cultural inspiration that can be useful for present and future life.

The collection of masks at RTWSD is exhibited in various traditional houses. The Rumah Tembakau is used for art-cultural exhibitions and seminars/discussions. The collections of Balinese Barong, Barong Plok, Barong Kemiren, Chinese Barong, Reog Ponorogo are exhibited at Rumah Joglo Plumpang. A collection of Balinese Masks and Shadow Puppets on display at the Rumah Joglo Boma. At the Rumah Joglo Senori, you can see the Archipelago Mask collection. Rumah Joglo Keben’s house has a collection of local and foreign shadow puppets. The Rumah Joglo Bojonegoro house keeps a collection of domestic and foreign Wayang Golek. Meanwhile, collections of masks from abroad (Africa, Italy, Mexico, Bolivia, Korea, Japan, China, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Nepal) can be seen at Rumah Joglo Blora.

Each mask has its own aura that is different from other masks. The shape and mask of each region displays a unique character. The Cirebon Mask Dance, for example, makes the mask feel alive because it is danced by the dancer. It was as if the mask had soul and spirit. A mask with a smiling character will have an impact on those who see it, thereby creating an impression of peace and happiness in the heart. A mask with big, bulging eyes gives a different impression on everyone

who sees it, for example angry, spooky, giving rise to a scary impression.

Masks are divided into various sizes. There are full and half face masks, small masks, belly size masks. In RTWSD there are also ‘masks’ with large sizes and about 3 meters high, namely barong landung (Bali), ondel-ondel (Betawi), masks by ‘Newman’. The masks or ogoh-ogoh of Jaya Pangus, Kang Ching Wei, and 2 other figures adorn the Rumah Adat Joglo Plumpang. Jaya Pangus and Kang Ching Wei are Balinese folk legends related to acculturation of Chinese-Balinese culture.

Variety and Function of Masks-

Mask types can be distinguished by their size. Large-sized masks such as dragon masks in the barongsay show, barong masks in the Reog Ponorogo game, Ondel-ondel Betawi. Masks in small forms are generally face-sized, oval, or half-faced. Panji and Galuh Candra Kirana masks are small masks.

A mask is an object that functions as a work of art and decorative object. In understanding the mask, it is necessary to understand the expressive, symbolic, structure, elements, meaning aspects (unity of meaning). Each aspect has a different point of view, such as technical aspects, aesthetics, religious, pragmatic functions, economics.

Apart from being an object of art, the mask also functions as a protector. The ‘mask’ during the Covid-19 pandemic is a protective mask from the transmission of the Corona virus. Masks in the industrial world serve for safety reasons. Employees of chemical or hazardous materials factories are required to wear masks that are specially designed to protect their entire face along with breathing apparatus.

Animal masks are one of the wealth of masks treasures. This shows the limit of human imagination in the world of art. The types of animal masks that are often found are bird masks, horned animals, wild animals, tame animals, fantasy or abstract creatures.

Two faces - https://www.freepik.com/ premium-photo/mask-made-wooden-shopmask-bali-shopping-bali-indonesia_2549609. htm#page=1&query=barong&position=8&from_ view=search

Mask Making Material

The materials used to make masks are developed from a long tradition or custom, belief, or history. The material for making masks depends on the purpose, desire or idea of the maker, and partly on the availability of materials. The selected mask material influences and determines the type, quality, shape, character, and demands different techniques and equipment.

It is undeniable that masks are art objects that have various values, such as aesthetic values, social values, personal values, communal values, sacred and secular values, and religious values. Appreciation of the mask art also differs according to the purpose of making the mask and the history of the existence of the mask. (Dwi

Woro Retno Mastuti, Studio Founder of Rumah Cinta Wayang).

Smiling -

Woro Mastuti

Not only from the archipelago -

Woro Mastuti