Whiteface a "Death Mask??!"

[noname]

Originally Posted by tim

I actually think that some of what Roly Bain does could be considered legit and quality clown ministry of the type which Snugglesnort is, perhaps, suggesting. That said, I admittedly wouldn't really want a Catholic priest doing in a Catholic Church what he as an Anglican priest does in Anglican Churches. It does seem to clash with the proper purpose of liturgy. Though, I must say, it sure would be interesting to see what kind of reaction it would receive from Catholics.

A letter to Rome and suspension as a priest. It has already happened within this diocese, hence, my further apprehension combining the two.

[Sparkle the Clown]

I too always heard whiteface clowns don't talk. In fact, when I started clowning 14 years ago (and I am an auguste face) I had folks tell me they didn't think I would talk. I equate white face with mimes. I like talking clowns...but I am always amazed at the dramatic excellence of those clowns or mimes that can so vividly express themselves without talking.
Sparkle

[Waldo]

I must admit that I have not read that chapter in awhile, so I can't technically say if I totally agree with his position or not. However, saying the that white face or white part of your face is symbolic of a death mask is fine with me. Just as you say that we have died to sin as a christian. Now we did not physically die, but we are changing from what is our natural self sin and taken on a new persona of Christ. The clown dies to the thinks that bogs us down in real life and takes on a new persona.

As for a clowning for Christ, that is merely a way to reach some individuals. Children are particularly accepting of the clown, because they are not burden with the prejudices that affect adults.
There is nothing wrong with a priest using clowning as a way to reach his congregation, but there will be folks that are adament that he is wrong. Just as there are people that are adament that masses must be in latin.

Even we as clowns have certain prejudices, "white face clowns can't talk", who said? These are all rules that we have imposed on ourselves, that (in my humble opinion) hold little value. There is a time to speak and a time to be quiet. Know when to do each is the really trick.

It is certainly easier for a member of the laity as it does not affect our job as it does the priest or minister. The United Methodist Conference that I belong too even teachs a clown ministry seminar as part of the Lay Speaking program.

Jesus called the children to him and said "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Maybe we should listen.

[oakenguy]

I've seen some whiteface designs that looked deathlike...I've also seen some some teenagers in goth makeup that looked ridiculous and clownlike. In *each* of these cases, I don't think the person was getting the result they intended to.

Honestly, I think 'rules' like this are silly. And even in my really limited experience, I can think of times interacting with small children or the elderly when, whiteface or no, it's either speak and reassure them or REALLY scare them.

[Fitzwilly]

When I was traveling with K.A.C.T. we rarely were a part of the actual service. That was our choice, the actual service is sacred and I personally didn't feel that my type of high energy clowning was appropiate in that setting. Our performances included Joel as the straight man. No clown, jacket and tie on many occasions, I interacted with him and the audience (and other clowns when we had them) as the fool. I generally was able to misunderstand most anything and for the rest of the show everyone worked at correcting and teaching me. This worked great for afternoon and evening programs but as I've said not service times. And personally, I prefer to work outside of the main santcuary. I have borrowed as well as developed a number of more serious pieces for that setting, but it is hard for me to feel as respectful as I want to be and still be "typical" Fitzwilly.

[Zebo_the_Clown]

[quote=Snugglesnort;45601]........ the non-verbal clown is the WORD becoming ACTION. The clown must show meanings rather than trying to explain them." She goes on to explain another reason as well: "Another reason many clowns remain silent relates to the symbolic death mask of the white makeup. Dead people don't talk. In respect of this, clowns give up speaking. Putting on the white face becomes an opportunity to recall things they must die to; a type of confession for clowns."

Clown Ministry by Floyd Shaffer, pg 25. quote]

In the last interveiw Bill Moyer had with Joesph Campbel
they were discussing how words build the rungs of the net we hang over God.
Joesph Campbel went on a little explaining how clowns were/are a good example of this precept (meaning using no words), The film clip injected while he was saying this showed some native shamonic looking clowns with white faces posible made with ash. I was hoping he would expand on the subject but no....
But I do remember somewhere way back that ash to some cultures is representive of death some how

Just a thought

[Paboberto]

<<In the last interveiw Bill Moyer had with Joesph Campbel
they were discussing how words build the rungs of the net we hang over God.
Joesph Campbel went on a little explaining how clowns were/are a good example of this precept (meaning using no words), The film clip injected while he was saying this showed some native shamonic looking clowns with white faces posible made with ash. I was hoping he would expand on the subject but no....
But I do remember somewhere way back that ash to some cultures is representive of death some how>>

It is in many, ours included: "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust." Though I at least tend to think of black ash rather than white ash.

All preformance started in religion, comic and tragic. All theater is tied to religion, not because religion is somehow like theater "not real," but because theater is alot like religion, more real than most want to admit. Words are important, but action is what gives words their reality. Words change. An action is always itself no matter what we call it. It is in action that we relate to the divine and each other. Clowning, when going full throttle, is unrestrained relational action. The divine, the universe, made small and tame in words, is revealed again through action in all its bizzarness, inexplicabilty, and otherness. There have been and are many religions that have tapped into this.

Christianity is not one of them. It is too dangerous. It is too easy for things to get nasty and make more souls fall than lift up. Offically that is. Unofficially, everyone likes a good laugh now and then...

[Yin Yang]

No it's not a "death mask", unless you're Marilyn Manson. The reason for the white face make up was that it helped for large audiences to see the performer better. That's also the origin for the art of pantomime. Large audiences couldn't hear what was being said. So the actors would learn to act without any words.