JUAN HORTA CASTILLO
One of the best traditional mask makers of Mexico, Juan Horta Castillo has exhibited his art throughout Mexico and the United States. His masks were selected by the "Ballet Folklorico de Mexico," and are featured in their world-wide performances. He is also a multiple first prize winner of Mexico's National Mask Maker competition. El Museo de la Mascara(The Mask Museum) in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, exhibit's his masks as part of their permanent collection. Don Juan has also been a featured artist at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum of Natural History, Brown University and numerous colleges, schools and cultural centers throughout the United States.
Don Juan works primarily in wood, usually painting and lacquering the finished
mask. He resides in Tócuaro, Michoacán, Mexico with his wife
and five children.
TRADITIONAL MASK MAKING
Mask making has been a tradition for centuries in Mexico. During pre-Hispanic
times the Aztecs used masks as part of their religious ceremonies. After
the Spanish Conquest, Christian traditionswere in corporated into the folk
art of mask making.
In the past, masks were worn in ritual dances and used by the dancers to represent persons or animals, the dance's purpose was to tell a story in which the desired result was achieved through the magic of imitation, The majority of the masks in this exhibition are from the festivity of Pastorelas.
Devil characters from Pastorelas Play
"Pastorelas," or Shepherd's Play, is celebrated with a group of players who take their performance through the streets of the neighborhood, The players represent three devils (with devil masks), an angel, a hermit, shepherds and numerous villagers. The devils try to temp the shepherds, and in turn are confronted by the hermit and the angel. In the finale, the devils are defeated. The shepherds, angels and hermit then proceed to adore the baby Jesus.
Mexican masks are usually made of wood, with leather, bone, and often with genuine hair and teeth. They may also be fashioned from other materials such as animal shells and tin. The masks can be painted, lacquered, or left in a natural state.
The art of mask making demonstrates imagination, fantasy, and great decorative and creative talent.