Artifact: Jade Burial Mask: Inspirations and Relations

A jade encrusted skull found in Oaxaca, Mexico conjures stratification-themed thoughts. The Oaxaca inhabitants existed prior to Uxmal settlement; perhaps Jade Mayan masks at Uxmal were inspired by jade encrusted skulls at Oaxaca. Jade was, after all, imported. Theoretically, contact may have occurred via trade routes.

The skull itself is a layer of information; it further informs human skin stretched across its surface. In this sense, actual skin aforementioned in "Artifact: Jade Burial Mask" is merely a mask overlaying the skull. Mayan jade masks at Uxmal, therefore, are essentially a third layer of information; the skull is the original structure. With each layer--skull bone, flesh, jade mask--additional information and details are added and subtracted.

Oaxaca inhabitants inlaid small jade pieces as a mosaic directly into skulls of the deceased. Dissimilarly, Mayans at Uxmal placed masks loosely atop facial flesh of the deceased. The mask therefore shifts as the flesh disintegrates and a layer of information is slowly removed over time.

This method of decay corresponds to the Uxmal burial space in which the mask exists. More specifically, the burial chamber's construction includes elements designed to mask space for a set amount of time before decomposing. Once the main structure of the chamber is constructed, an opaque cloth is stretched across the opening of the chamber. This cloth--which will eventually decompose--blocks workers' view of the deceased as they construct the chamber's closure. Closure takes the form of a thrice layered ceiling. Thus, the chamber's structure mimics the relationship between the human skull, flesh, and mask; disintegrating, "masking" cloth is analogous to disintegrating human facial flesh.

http://anthropology.net/2007/06/01/damien-hirsts-diamond-encrusted-skull-jeweled-skulls-in-archaeology/

Artifact: Jade Burial Mask

A mask is an overlay of inspired information; all masks are essentially informed skin. Standing alone, ornamentation on this undulating surface suggests it might lock into another configuration (namely, the human face). Specifically, these cues take the form of apertures. Personal space is created when the mask is activated, or worn. By overlaying the mask on the face, a small space is created: the space between. Here, in this limited space, daily functions take on greater meaning. Warm breathing patterns are recognized; line of vision restricted by the mask-boundary becomes realized. Ultimately, fleshy functions gain appreciation. Registration of facial features between the two layers--real skin and constructed skin--creates strong spatial projections from facial orifices. Eyes, mouth, and occasionally nose project through mask apertures, not in form but rather in function (i.e. line of vision, forced air movement to the nose and mouth).

Masks protect, entertain, and are used ceremonially. To Uxmal inhabitants, facial features of the deceased inform mask designs. Masks often made of jade--the precious Mayan equivalent of gold--with shell inserts may be found in royal burial chambers. The intimacy between human skin and mask manifested as small-scale spaces is proportionally relative to the entire human body and the burial space; it is the intimacy of the space between.

Artifact

Jade burial mask found in royal tomb