Common ground in diversity: themes and methods
Masks are an integral part of human culture. They have been a vital element of theatrical practices since antiquity and have always played a crucial role in rituals as well as artistic and literary activities through-out the world.
In recent years, various artists, performers and political activists have updated the powerful act of un/masking for our times. Therefore, it was no wonder that the topic attracted the interest of the students of the International Docotrate Program "MIMESIS" . The result was the conference Un/masking. On a Mimetic Form, which included 13 papers all focusing on very different aspects of masks.
Examples of mask usage in political protests and debates about the implications of the latest facial recognition software stood next to in-depth studies of classic dramatic texts. The lively discussion with the audience proved to be a highly constructive dialogue despite of the heterogeneous topics and methodological approaches.
As the core of the schedule, the three keynote lectures united subjects such as transformative masks of the First Nations of the North American Pacific coast, theories of style in Surrealism and masked voices in pop music. Throughout the conference, the talks and discussions revolved not only around the object of the mask, but also around the more abstract processes of masking and unmasking, as well as the metaphorical usages of the terms. Examples of such “invisible” metaphorical masks are social roles as well as literary pseudonyms. The powerful act of masking not only conceals a person’s identity, it can also create a new one.
The lively exchange continued outside the conference room: Attendees resumed their discussion during a reception at the end of the first conference day as well as during the two guided tours of the Zentralinstitut für Kunstgeschichte.
Text: International Doctorate Program "MIMESIS"