Grabbed a coffee with Jason Titian last night.
We’ve been friends since about the 6th grade.
Jason is a Nuuchahnulth carver from Uchucklesaht His most recent project is this portrait mask with an articulating jaw. It’s not quite finished
The mask represent a figure who is kind of a heckler who says aloud the things others wouldn’t or can’t.
He’s not so much critical as he is just trying to make sense of his situation. His nervousness and fidgeting, asking inappropriate questions indirectly teaches us about the uncomfortable realities of life.
It relates to a societal device that has as once used here; a carved smiling grin that allowed the wearer to say things publicly they could not otherwise say aloud.
This new mask is a contemporary persona, who is struggling and flawed, lives in modern culture and is reconnecting with their culture and true nature.
Powerful stuff. Jason is thinking of making some videos featuring the mask running his mouth and figuring out some stuff on the way.
