This interdisciplinary collection explores four distinct perspectives about the mask, as object of use for protection, identity, and disguise. In part I, contributors address human identities within collective social performance, with chapters on performativity and the far right and masked identities in political resistance and communication. Part II focuses on the mask as a signifying object with strong representational challenges, exploring representations in festivals, literature, and film. Part III investigates the ambiguous use of the mask as a protective and concealing element, delving into visual culture and digital social media contexts. Finally, Part VI draws on the work of Levinas and Deleuze to investigate a philosophical view of the mask that addresses memory and ethics within intersubjective relationships. Questioning the contemporary world, using communication, sociology, visual culture, and philosophical theory, the volume provides a pedagogical and formative perspective on the mask.
Author(s): Luísa Magalhães, Cândido Oliveira Martins
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 351
City: Cham
Contents
Notes on Contributors
List of Figures
List of Tables
Part I: Masks and Human Identities Within Collective Social Performances
Chapter 1: Masks and Human Connections: An Introduction
I
The Timeless Use of Masks
II
Masks and Human Identities Within Collective Social Performance
The Signifying Mask: Ethnographic Meanings and Representation Challenges
The Ambiguity of Masks in Visual Culture, Digital Contexts, and Social Interaction
Shaping Intersubjective Relationships: Ethics, Reason, and Memory
References
Chapter 2: Unmasking the Protester: Deciphering the Collective Disguise of Masked Identities in Political Resistance and Communication
Introduction
The Mask: Structure and Semiotics
The Strategy of Disguise: Masks and the Sense of Shared Anonymity
Masks and Political Communication
Protester Unmasked
Conclusion
References
Chapter 3: Masked Belles and Beasts: Uncovering Toys as Extensions, Avatars and Activists in Human Identity Play
A Brief Introduction to the Toy Medium as Mask
Technologically Oriented Toy Play
Toys in Adult (Photo)play
Toying with Identity: The Three-Fold Masking Strategies
Toys as Extensions of the Self
Toys as Avatars
Toys as Activists
Conclusion: The Transformative Power of Toys as Masks
References
Chapter 4: (M)asking for a Return: Social Hypocrisy and Social Engineering
Introduction
Analysing the Practices: Influencers
Analysing the Practices: Cybercriminals
When Others’ Masks Become Us: Authentifakes and Social Hypocrisy
Conclusion
References
Chapter 5: Narrative Masking of Social Performance in Education
Introduction
Setting Up the Scene
Social and Educational Inequalities in Portugal
Social Justice, School Representations, and Policies
Ranking Schools in Portugal: An Informal Policy?
The Rankings’ Narrative Problem
Making Sense of School’s Rankings
Are the Rankings a Narrative Mask for Inequities?
Conclusion
References
Chapter 6: A Game of Masks: The Communicative Performance of the Portuguese Populist Far-Right
Communication-Centered Approach to Populism
The Performative Communication Phenomenon of Ventura
Achieving Legitimacy and Status of a National Political Player at the ‘Established Phase’
Conclusion
References
Part II: The Signifying Mask: Ethnographic Meanings and Representation Challenges
Chapter 7: The Semiotics of the Mask: To Reveal by Concealing and Conceal by Revealing
Introduction
The Mask as a Sign
The Semiotics of the Ritual Mask
The Function of (Re)presentation: To Reveal by Concealing and Conceal by Revealing
The Semiotics of the Carnival Mask
Caretos’ Scary-Looking Mask (Lazarim, Portugal)
Conclusion
References
Chapter 8: Masks and the Masked Ones: Performance, Interaction and Hybridity
The Masked Zé Pereira
Interaction: Self and the Other in the Mask’s Cultural Path
The Hybridization of the Mask
Final Remarks
References
Chapter 9: Sissy Masks: Effeminate Freak Show and Theatrical Faggotry in Pretending-to-Be-Gay Films
References
Chapter 10: From Masking Pandemic Times to Identity Challenges: Representations in Current Literature
References
Chapter 11: Masks and Masquerades in Amazigh Morocco
Introduction
The Imashar Masquerade in Tiznit
Boys Inspired by the Imashar Masquerade in the Tiznit Province
Masks and Masquerades in Morocco
Conclusion
References
Part III: The Ambiguity of Masks Use in Visual Culture, Digital Contexts and Social Interaction
Chapter 12: How to Build, Rebuild or Destruct Identity Through Face Masks in Visual Culture
Face Masks or the Faces of Masks: An Issue of Identity
An Approach of Visual Semiotics on the Use of Masks
What Face Masks Really Hide and Reveal in Visual Culture: The Paradox, the Dystopian, the Disruptive
The Engagement of Contemporary Artistic Manifestations with Face Masks
Final Considerations
References
Chapter 13: From Invisibility to Ethnic Humor on Social Networks: The Long Emancipation of the Portuguese in France
Humor in Daily Interactions
Ethnic Humor: Between Control and Social Emancipation
The Portuguese in France: In Between Two Public Spheres
Second and Third Generations: From Invisibility to Luso-Descendance
Stereotypes, Social Media, and Ethnic Humor
References
Chapter 14: The Ambiguity of Masks as Transformative Conveyors of Meaning: Protection, Disguise, and Interactive Performance
Introduction
The Meanings of Masks
The Ambiguity of Mask Uses in Human Relationships
Media Use of Face Masks: The Interactive Performance
Masks as Objects of Empowerment: Some Examples in the Film Industry
Masks as Strategy in Advertising
Conclusion
References
Chapter 15: The Digital Mask on Social Media: The Tyranny of Beauty Filters Among Digital Natives
References
Part IV: Shaping Intersubjective Relationships: Ethics, Reason and Memory
Chapter 16: Levinas and the Impact of Mask Wearing on Intersubjective Relationships
Introduction
Levinas’ Philosophy as a Critique of Scientific Reductionism
Levinas’ Ambiguity Regarding Mask Wearing
The Mask as a Dangerous Concealment of the Other’s Face
The Homogenization of Different Persons
Promoting Greater Distance Between People
Mask Wearing as Means of Reducing the Other to the Sameness
The Mask and the Prior Responsibility for the Other
The Mask Reveals an Invisible Face
The Mask that Deconstructs the Pornographic Society
Conclusion
References
Chapter 17: Ethics and Politics of Masking and Unmasking: Contrasting Lévinas’ and Deleuze’s Takes on the Face
Introduction
The Face as Ethical Relationality in Lévinas and Butler
The Abstract Face Machine in Deleuze and Guattari
Reading Lévinas and Deleuze Together
A Possible Reading of Masking and Unmasking During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Conclusion
References
Chapter 18: Mask as a Means of Shaping Intellectual Identity
Introduction
Every Profound Spirit Needs a Mask
Why Would You Decide to Play the Fool?
Why Would You Believe You Can Fix the World?
Why Would You Destroy What You Care For?
Mask and Intellectual Identity
References
Chapter 19: The Face and the Masks: (Mis)representations of Memory
Introduction
Ancient Greece: The First Masks of the Human and the Divine
Rome: The Ritual as Mask and the Masks of the Ritual
Masks and Performance: Between Fiction and Truth, Servitude and Freedom
Identity and Immortality Masks
Conclusion
References
Chapter 20: Face Mask: Implications for Individual–Society Relationship
Introduction
Face Mask: A Prophylactic Measure
Face Mask: Effectiveness in Curbing COVID-19 Spread
To Wear or Not to Wear a Face Mask: Perception About Safety and Efficacy
Face Mask: Difficulties in Face Recognition
Face Mask: Difficulties in Emotion Recognition
Face Mask: Difficulties in Social Interaction
Conclusion
References
Index
