Masks and Human Connections: Disruptive Meanings and Cultural Challenges

This interdisciplinary collection explores the many perspectives of the mask, from its use as protection, identity, and disguise to its representation in festivals, literature, and film. It also examines the ambiguous use of the mask as a protective and concealing element and investigates a philosophical view of the mask that addresses memory and ethics within intersubjective relationships.

Format: Hardback
Length: 355 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This interdisciplinary collection delves into four distinct perspectives on the mask, examining its multifaceted roles as an object of protection, identity, and disguise. In Part I, contributors explore the complex interplay between human identities and collective social performances, with chapters focusing on performativity, the far right, and masked identities in political resistance and communication. Part II delves into the enigmatic nature of the mask as a signifying object, exploring its representations in festivals, literature, and film. Part III examines the ambiguous use of the mask as both a protective and concealing element, investigating its significance in visual culture and digital social media contexts. Part VI, drawing on the insights of Levinas and Deleuze, offers a philosophical perspective on the mask, addressing memory and ethics within intersubjective relationships. By questioning the contemporary world through communication, sociology, visual culture, and philosophical theory, this volume provides a pedagogical and formative lens through which to understand the enduring significance of the mask.

Introduction:
The mask has long been a fascinating and enigmatic object, serving multiple purposes and eliciting diverse interpretations. This interdisciplinary collection seeks to explore its multifaceted nature, examining its roles as an object of use for protection, identity, and disguise. Through a comprehensive examination of various perspectives, the volume aims to provide a pedagogical and formative understanding of the mask's significance in contemporary society.

Part I: Human Identities within Collective Social Performance:
In Part I, contributors address the complex interplay between human identities and collective social performances. Chapters in this section explore the concept of performativity, examining how individuals perform their identities in social contexts. The far right is also explored as a context in which masks are used to conceal identities and promote ideologies of hate and exclusion. Masked identities in political resistance and communication are also examined, highlighting the ways in which masks can be used as tools for empowerment and subversion.

Part II: The Mask as a Signifying Object:
Part II focuses on the mask as a signifying object with strong representational challenges. Contributors explore the representations of the mask in festivals, literature, and film, examining how it is used to convey messages, evoke emotions, and shape cultural identities. The mask's ability to transcend boundaries and challenge traditional notions of identity is also explored, highlighting its potential for cultural transformation.

Part III: The Ambiguous Use of the Mask as a Protective and Concealing Element:
Part III investigates the ambiguous use of the mask as a protective and concealing element. Contributors examine the visual culture and digital social media contexts in which the mask is employed, exploring how it is used to conceal identities, protect against harm, and create new forms of self-expression. The ethical implications of mask-wearing are also considered, with discussions on the potential for exploitation and the importance of consent and respect in mask-related interactions.

Part VI: A Philosophical View of the Mask:
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. Contributors explore how the mask can be seen as a symbol of memory, linking past and present, and how it can be used to negotiate the boundaries between self and other. The ethical dimensions of mask-wearing are also explored, with discussions on the responsibilities of individuals and societies in navigating the complexities of mask-related interactions.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this interdisciplinary collection provides a rich and multifaceted exploration of the mask, examining its roles as an object of use, a signifying object, and a protective and concealing element. By questioning the contemporary world through communication, sociology, visual culture, and philosophical theory, the volume offers a pedagogical and formative perspective on the mask's enduring significance. The mask continues to be a powerful symbol of transformation, resistance, and identity, and its study is essential for understanding the complex dynamics of our social and cultural world.

Weight: 611g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031166723
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023