WEAVE PARRAMATTA ONLINE and AT HOME WORKSHOP with Lada Dedić
The Concept of Smiles with Lada Dedić
Leading the discourse during our workshop will be artist Lada Dedić who recently returned from South East Asia where mask-wearing is often culturally expected. There she noticed something peculiar… we smile with our eyes.
The World Health Organisation has recommended that masks be worn in places where individuals are unable to physically distance. Some people have expressed their concern that they won’t be able to see facial expressions… particularly smiles.
In this workshop, we will make some fun ‘mask covers’ exploring principles of emotions and how we display them. We will discuss the concept of ‘smiles’… not just the physical expression.
The focus of the workshop is on the concept of expressing emotions from behind a face mask so we’ll veer away from the politics around mask wearing. We won’t be making functional masks, but instead having some fun making decorative ‘mask covers’.
We will be exploring abstract and stylised creations using the concept of ‘smiles’. We will also delve into inclusivity and how the growing need to wear masks can marginalise the deaf and hard of hearing, many of whom rely on lip reading to communicate. We will look at what we can do as a community to ensure that we have avenues of communication available to all of us.
Materials required:
a cup of tea
Plain colour fabric at least 25cm square
A piece of fabric of a minimum of 25 x 25 cm is recommended to ensure you can cover your mouth and nose when you make your mask up. Please refer to the pattern you choose for your final design for exact dimensions. You may choose to embellish a ready-made mask.
Thread - Hand sewing needle
Ruler
Chalk or removable pen or lead pencil
Scissors
And for embellishment, you may choose to use: old clothing, fabric scraps, ribbon, beads, buttons, fabric paints and pens, twigs and items from your garden anything really, have fun, you may choose to make a reusable mask cover or a more ephemeral one.
If you would prefer a more structured approach, the pattern for Lada’s pictured ‘you should smile more’ cross stitch is available via this button:
Functionality isn’t important for this exercise, however, if you choose to make a mask cover you plan to wear, please ensure that it can be washed and most importantly, that you can breathe easily and that it doesn’t impede the use of the functional mask you’ll be wearing underneath. Good examples for wearable mask covers include lacework, crochet, weaving and netting.
Participants can choose to make a functional mask rather than a mask cover and still participate in the discussion.
Friday 21 August 11am - 1:00pm
ONLINE and AT HOME WORKSHOP: Mask cover making with Lada Dedić
Please send questions and rsvps to: weaveparramatta@gmail.comHead to this link to participate from 11am:
Meeting ID: 812 1500 2849
Passcode: 176209
There are loads of free mask patterns and cute video tutorials available online.
Here are some mask patterns you can base your design on:
Easy Machine or Hand Sew – Tasmanian Mask Project
Department of Health and Human Services Victoria
Sew and No Sew Instructions Centre for Disease Control USA
On recommendation from the World Health Organisation, The Australian Government recommends that if you decide to make a functional mask, to use three layers of fabric, make sure that all materials are intact and have not worn too thin or have holes in them. The dimensions must allow you to cover your nose and mouth for a breathable but snug fit.
WEAVE Parramatta
WEAVE Parramatta connects diverse people through contemporary, experimental and cultural practices in weaving, textile and fibre art. Participants are invited to learn and share techniques in a welcoming and open environment through a series of monthly workshops facilitated by contemporary artists. WEAVE Parramatta artists, makers and participants share a passion for culture, tradition and community.
WEAVE Parramatta is a program of Parramatta Artists' Studios.
Additional Resources:
Dr Paul Ekman is a psychologist who has dedicated over 50 years of his research into hidden emotions including the Science of Smiling.
New Scientist article on the Duchenne Smile
Jessica Kellgren-Fozard is a deaf and disability advocate, here she discusses how window faced masks, though helpful for expressing emotions and some communication are not a panacea for our deaf and hard of hearing friends.
Want to learn a few basic Auslan signs? Here is the Auslan Signbank Dictionary to help get you started. It’s also helpful, to carry a paper and pen or you can communicate with the notes app on your phone (careful to be COVID safe and not to hand your phone over)
A great little article by Dr Jo Lane, research fellow, clinical and cognitive psychologist at the Research School of Population Health, ANU about social cues and the benefits of smiling even behind a mask.
Ros Ben-Moshe, Director, LaughLife Wellbeing Programs and an adjunct lecturer at La Trobe University’s School of Public Health and Psychology, author of 'Laughing at cancer - How to Heal with Love, Laughter and Mindfulness' ABC-Life Matters
Smiling Meditation with Ros Ben-Moshe
Experiences of Expressing Emotions while Masked
Until recently, I spent three months of the year in South East Asia, mainly Malaysia. In many parts of Asia, it is common to wear a mask in times of high pollution and when you are unwell as a courtesy to those around you. I repatriated in March and it was actually strange for me when I was released from quarantine to see people not wearing masks… during a pandemic.
In January this year, while we were dealing with what was then known as a “Novel Corona Virus” mask-wearing was not uncommon even before it was mandated. While travelling on public transport in Kuala Lumpur, I noticed very quickly that when I smiled at people, they smiled back... despite us all wearing masks. We smile with our eyes.
Other emotions are obvious too, pictured below on the 16th March, 10pm in Penang, this is my expression after an attempted mugging. When I took this photo I didn’t know that this incident would rank third in the list of messed up stuff that would happen that evening. Hurriedly (and sadly) left Malaysia a few days after this
And a little fun with fruit at the airport in February after an announcement to wear a mask at all times.
Masks became the new normal on flights and my studio in the sky.
The final repatriation flight when things were getting “real”
And now, just the other day, on public transport in Sydney…
As you can see in all of these photographs… emotions are evident because we use more than our mouths to communicate.
Now let’s have some fun with the idea of smiles!
At the beginning of the workshop, we’ll look at some slides for inspiration, this isn’t an instructional workshop, we won’t be learning a new skill or technique so feel free to have some fun with the concept.
A smile can be so many things, it can be what you offer others, it can be a lie or an expression of joy. A smile is a form of communication… even when covered.
