The Mask and the Social Actors Social, Political, Aesthetic and Cultural Functions of the Mask

Abstract

The mask, which dates back to the earliest periods of human history, is an object that has found a place in our lives over time, except for mythical ceremonies and special days. Even though humanity has partially severed its ties with primitive mythical ceremonies, the mask preserves its place and importance in our lives as it was on the first day. The mask appears as a multidimensional and comprehensive field of study. This multidimensionality and comprehensiveness complicate the limitations of research. In this study, it has tried to reveal the usage areas of the mask and the meanings it creates under different topics. The aim of the study is to reveal the common points that emerge as a result of different usage areas and to try to understand whether the mask actually creates an area where one can escape from social reality as a result of these common points. The examples selected and analyzed in this study have been kept wide and aim to reveal that the mask actually takes place in every moment of our lives and shapes our lives in a wide field of study ranging from cinema to carnival, from daily life to politics. The culturally different uses of the mask were excluded on the grounds that it would both decontextualize the subject and not serve the study. Due to the literature and examples used, the use of masks in Europe and there has been effective in determining the universe of the thesis. In this thesis, it is aimed to reveal the use of mask and mask in which situations and for what purpose, by using the general scanning method. The selected examples have been preferred in terms of the use of masks and the intensity and causality of the meanings attributed to it historically and currently.