Experimentation...

Here i experimented further with using face masks but i concentrated on one area of the face - i applied the mask only around the mouth and
Painted over it with supra colour - i feel concentrating on one area would create a contrast between the skin and the paint and create a more striking image..

Initial Editorial moodboard....

Modern reference..

I found a menswear editorial named 'Tribes' which was photographed by Rene Habermacher and styled by Jean Luc Francaise for Sang Bleu Magazine. I was captivated by their take on the tribal look and how they had transformed it into something modern using a clever mix of materials and makeup...


Leather , spikes and metal are used heavily to create a dark and almost macabre look. The images are very primal and striking with a clear tribal reference. In the first image below i love the mix of more traditional tribal makeup with very modern materials.

 

Animal Furr reminds me of and icelandic tribe or the innuit. The use of tattooing in his work has a strong refernce to the tribes and a primal feeling.

 

The image below is my favourite of the editorial. The combination of  the leather jacket and metal mask with traditional beads and ivory create a very striking and eclectic tribal look. In particular the mask has connotations of mark making and scarification on the face. I also like how he has chosen to use mainly black to dress his models, giving the tribal look a modern twist and drawing our eye towards his clever use of materials.

 

 

 

 

 

These next images by Habermacher are entitled  "Santorini" and were styled by Takufumi Kawasaki for Pen Japan magazine. I love the contrast between the two sets of images and how although these images are very understated and simple , the tirbal reference is subtle but still visible...

 

 

 

 

 

Studying all of these images has made me think particularly about my use of materials,how to create an editorial look and how to get the right balance of subtlety and striking.

 

 

 

I found several videos of the scarification process on youtube.. althought i found them hard to watch i also foun watching the process very interesting and revealing as to the lengths tribes will go to obtain identity/status or show thier beliefs and how important this is within tribal culture. One example of the videos i found is below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5Fm0ORKTVQ



scarification images...

 

 

 

 

Scarification...

It seems the main purpose of African scarification is to enhance a personsbeauty, but scars can also indicate bravery,  group identity, or mark stages in a person’s life....


I have found a few images of different cultural masks which show sacrification patterns on the face...

 

 

Makonde tribe - Use scarification to prevent abduction into slavery.

 

 

 

 

Tabwa tribe - Used to identify themselves to localitites and display social status. Elaborate and ornamental patterns and lines across the face also demonstrate that a person has become a complete adult after being inscribed.The distinctive braided hairstyle of the tribe is also shown in this tribal mask.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baule tribe - Use the type of scars shown on this mask to protect young children from harm.