Masks > Asia > Indonesian
1) MALANG DANCE MASK
EAST JAVA INDONESIA
Malang mask dance is an inherited traditional theatrical art performance; the dancers representing some characters wear masks. The characters in Malang theatrical mask dance are 64 and they play the roles of 64 figures in Panji tales. Decoratively, Malang masks are unique.
They are different from any other mask art found in Java. There are five typical colors used to decorate the masks. The red color symbolizes courage, the black color symbolizes determined ambitions, the yellow color symbolizes wisdom, the white color indicates purified character and the green color indicates peace.
Malang theatrical mask dance is often performed in fragments the story of which are taken from Panji tales which are common traditional folklores that are also found in many parts of Indonesia such as Lombok, Bali, Sumatera and Java islands, and also in Thailand.
Pandji Asmorobangun, and the typical, philosophical themes of the tales are that the bad are always de feated by the truth, even though there are a lot of sacrifices and miseries during the struggling process.
EAST JAVA INDONESIA
Malang mask dance is an inherited traditional theatrical art performance; the dancers representing some characters wear masks. The characters in Malang theatrical mask dance are 64 and they play the roles of 64 figures in Panji tales. Decoratively, Malang masks are unique.
They are different from any other mask art found in Java. There are five typical colors used to decorate the masks. The red color symbolizes courage, the black color symbolizes determined ambitions, the yellow color symbolizes wisdom, the white color indicates purified character and the green color indicates peace.
Malang theatrical mask dance is often performed in fragments the story of which are taken from Panji tales which are common traditional folklores that are also found in many parts of Indonesia such as Lombok, Bali, Sumatera and Java islands, and also in Thailand.
Pandji Asmorobangun, and the typical, philosophical themes of the tales are that the bad are always de feated by the truth, even though there are a lot of sacrifices and miseries during the struggling process.
2)DANCE MASK (TOPENG) PRINCELY FIGURE
CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA
Masks originating from Indonesia showcase the arts, cultures, history, and beliefs of the archipelago. Most masks that are found in Indonesia are used in Wayang Topeng, or their masked-dance theater. Indonesian mask dance is originally associated with religious practices. It was performed as an offering to their gods and deities, and eventually, used to entertain devotees during religious events. It is also performed to project social and spiritual messages to audiences. In recent times, these dances have been performed on the commercial stage.
Topeng is a form of dance that focuses on the stories of ancient or mythical kings and heroes. In every performance, whether it is for religious or commercial purposes, masks are treated by dancers with special care because of its sacredness. It is believed that these masks embody the spirits of fabled kings and heroes, and the dancers are believed to be the interpreter of gods. In their local traditions, it is believed that when an actor puts on a mask, they give up their own identity and embody the character of the mask.
In a wayang topeng, there are characters that regularly appear, and are anticipated by the audience. These are the manis (hero), keras (authoritarian character), tua (wise old man), penasar (narrator/clown), ratu (royalty). In the 1970s, a comical character called bondres or common man is added to masked dances.
This specific mask from the museum collection is an example of ratu, a character that is a member of the royalty. Its fine features make this character distinguishable from the commoners or bondres who have deformed facial features. Its color also indicates that it belongs to noble characters which are usually white, gold, or yellow.
3) GARUDA MASK
4) TEMBEM COMEDY MASK
Tembem mask is originally used as an instrument in a Javanese traditional dancing. The dancing is about warriors practicing their fighting skill. This is the mate of Penthul mask with the opposite function. The black color of this unique craft symbolizes the one who loses the battle. Its funny face represents its function as the supporter and entertainer for those who lose in the battlefield.
5) PENTUL COMEDY MASK
CENTRAL JAVA, INDONESIA
The Pentul mask is used in performances of Panji tales, a cycle of Javanese stories about the legendary Javanese prince called Panji. Pentul mask is a white-painted half-mask with short cylindrical nose and single tooth. It is designed to intentionally not cover the mouth because the actor wearing this mask speaks during the performance. Pentul plays the role of a servant to Prince Panji.
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7) CANTRIKJANALOKA MASK
8) BONDRES MASK
In a wayang topeng, there are characters that regularly appear, and are anticipated by the audience. These are the manis (hero), keras (authoritarian character), tua (wise old man), penasar (narrator/clown), ratu (royalty). In the 1970s, a comical character called bondres or common man is added to masked dances.
This specific mask from the museum collection is an example of a bondres mask. Bondres masks, representing commoners, are intentionally designed to visualize ugliness, juxtaposed with the fine image of masks that portray royalty. Often, these masks are designed to have disabilities or disorders.
9) RATU MASK
In a wayang topeng, there are characters that regularly appear, and are anticipated by the audience. These are the manis (hero), keras (authoritarian character), tua (wise old man), penasar (narrator/clown), ratu (royalty). In the 1970s, a comical character called bondres or common man is added to masked dances.
This specific mask from the museum collection is an example of ratu, a character that is a member of the royalty. Its fine features make this character distinguishable from the commoners or bondres who have deformed facial features. Its color also indicates that it belongs to noble characters which are usually white, gold, or yellow.
10) SERVANT MASK
11) BONDRES MASK
In a wayang topeng, there are characters that regularly appear, and are anticipated by the audience. These are the manis (hero), keras (authoritarian character), tua (wise old man), penasar (narrator/clown), ratu (royalty). In the 1970s, a comical character called bondres or common man is added to masked dances.
This specific mask from the museum collection is an example of a bondres mask. Bondres masks, representing commoners, are intentionally designed to visualize ugliness, juxtaposed with the fine image of masks that portray royalty. Often, these masks are designed to have disabilities or disorders. This mask, for example, noticeably has red pupils and lop-sided mouth.
12) PENASAR MASK
In a wayang topeng, there are characters that regularly appear, and are anticipated by the audience. These are the manis (hero), keras (authoritarian character), tua (wise old man), penasar (narrator/clown), ratu (royalty). In the 1970s, a comical character called bondres or common man is added to masked dances.
This specific mask from the museum collection is an example of a penasar. Used by the narrators, it is intentionally designed to not cover the mouth. The penasar describes the plot of the story to the audience in vernacular. Aside from the plot, this character may also speak about local gossips and current events in a comedic manner.
Source:
http://myindonesianculture.blogspot.com/2007/12/malang-mask-dance.html
http://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/279.html
http://myindonesianculture.blogspot.com/2007/12/malang-mask-dance.html
http://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/279.html
