Green Mask Workshop @ CSU

4/8/2022

Art, Ask a Mongolian, Out & About, Reflections

AAPI, APACC, APIDA, Asian Pacific American Cultural Center, Colorado state university, CSU, Earth Day, eco, ecology, First Re/Generation East West, found object masks, Green Mask, Green Mask America's Voice, Green Mask Project, heritage, humanity, immigrant, Irish Spring Sun, meow wolf denver, mongovoo, Next Use Composting & Recycling, recycled. masks, recycling, Social Equity Project, sustainability, SustainAbility Recycling, symbolic masks, symbolic meaning, The Alliance Center, tsam masks

#4EVAGREEN

Thank you Colorado State University APACC for helping facilitate Green Mask project and coordinating a wonderful workshop experience. In three hours we had twelve students make some amazing surrealist inspired symbolic masks. The students, their energy, authenticity, their stories and level of creativity really inspired me. They wrote origin/immigration stories which they translated into tangible identity masks infused with personal and symbolic meaning. In working with the students, I got to learn about their lives and diverse cultural backgrounds. The mask masking process allowed us to bond through our heritage, empathy and common humanity. The bonding experience felt particularly special for me. In doing this project I feel empowered sharing space and building community with AAPI youth.

Green Mask is a social equity project designed to dismantle cultural prejudice and help break stereotypes by way of art, creativity, ecology, building community and empathy in sharing stories from real life, lived and diverse experiences.

The workshop recycled materials are generously sponsored by three local recycling companies: Next Use Composting & Recycling, The Alliance Center, and SustainAbility Recycling. In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, 2022 Green Mask project emphasizes “green” and eco themes and materials to help promote Earth consciousness, sustainability and recycling awareness amongst the youth generation.

Part I: Masking Recycled Masks

I made two recycled masks for Green Mask project meticulously for over three months using my own recycled waste. I made two masks that represent renditions of my identity. Here are some photos from my mask masking process.

The golden mask is called “First Re/Generation East West”. It’s an interactive symbolic mask whose head opens with up into a hidden inner world protected by its outer shield.

The green mask is called “Irish Spring Sun” made using over 100 Irish Spring soap boxes, pistachio nuts, shredded paper and marbles. This is a spirit dance mask that people can wear around their face or neck to raise their windhorse energy. Irish Spring Sun is also an ode to my Irish Spring soap fandom.

Using concept art and symbolic materials meaning, both masks narrate my identity as a 1.5 generation Mongolian American immigrant, woman and Daca/Dreamer.

Part II: Meow Wolf Denver Tour with CSU students