Jay Critchley writes:

"Holiday Greetings from The Maskuerade Ball"

Bush, Cheney & Santa

The Maskuerade Ball

Protect/Protest

Let’s play with masking and disguise, and redefine its significance.

The Maskuerade Ball aims to activate people and elicit a deeper understanding of what our real concerns and problems are in our lives. The simple, ubiquitous surgical mask has recently become a visible, worldwide emblem of fear and panic. But who’s fear? Who’s voice? Should the media’s spoon-fed, Flu-of the-Month scares direct our energy and attention?

Masking is an ancient practice. Anthropologically, masquerading with costume and mask engenders a ritualized transformation of the self into the spirit world of nature and creates communion with the supernatural − often honoring our ancestors. Culturally, Mardi Gras, Al Hallows Eve and the Day of the Dead have continued our communal need to purge our fears and the evil forces in the world. These rituals reconnect us with our deep emotional and psychic identity and release us from the burdens of the human condition.

Who Is Protecting Whom?

Artistically, masks are a vehicle for visual expression, creating illusions, characters, multiple personalities and disguises — sometimes to protect, sometimes to play. And now, to create fear. In a global environment of war, hunger, ecological collapse, global warming, poverty, pathogenic illnesses and media saturation, the simple surgical mask has become a symbol of both the state of the planet and our inability to address its ailments. The mask has become a symbol of facelessness, isolation and political silencing. We are being told what the dread of the month is and are expected to step in line. Terrorism? — Stop talking with strangers, don’t trust anyone. SARS? —You better watch out, it’s coming. Avian Flu? — Stop breathing deeply, avoid chickens, farms, birds and nature.

To participate in The Maskuerade Ball:

— Acquire a trove of cheap surgical masks and non-toxic markers or oil sticks

— Create or join a political, cultural or social gathering

— Ask individuals: What are you terrified of? What is intimidating to you?

— What threatens you?

— Words are then inscribed on the surgical masks and participants are requested

to wear them, and the fun begins

— The masks and the messages will elicit comments, conversation, and a sense

of connectedness ± a new fashion statement! At political gatherings or

demonstrations the masks can make a unified visual statement by activists,

and a great photo op.

Protect/Protest.

For more information contact:

The Maskuerade Ball

Jay Critchley