The History
http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com
After carrying out my own research, I wanted to look into the history of make up, specifically war paint. I have heard make up be described as 'War Paint' before, mainly by men. And some of my researched showed that some girls feel that make up is a kind of protection. I want to look into the origins of war paint, and the reasons they applied it, and the rituals behind them.
'Many of the pictures and images of Native Americans depict the Indians in full war paint. Many tribes of Native Americans painted their bodies and faces for rituals, dances and for battle. The designs painted were believed to hold magic powers for protection. Colors and images were also used to make the warriors, chiefs and braves to look more ferocious.'
They believed that applying the war paint meant they would be protected during any battles, and held magic powers. In their religion they blended rituals by promoting and preserving their hunting, and the survival of it's people with showing respect to the spirits. The achievements of warriors were often reflected in the symbolic images of their war paint, meaning that different symbols reflected the ranking in the tribe.
For example, the picture below show the Hand Symbol, this indicates that the warrior has been successful in hand-to-hand combat. Red Color Symbolizes war, blood, strength, energy, power and success in war paint but might also symbolise happiness and beauty in face pain.
Black was perceived as a "living" colour and worn on the face to prepare for war. Very aggressive color. Black meant strength. It might also indicated that the wearer was a powerful warrior who had proved himself in battle. Black was also used to symbolize victory and might be applied before returning home to the camp.
There are many different reasons for war
paint, body paint or face paint in different culutres. Reasons such as intimidating
the enemy, marks of distinction, camouflage, as a visual message, power, magic
and decoration. As well as protection, which was commonly used to protect the
skin from insects, the sun, the wind and the cold.
My Shoot Idea
I
want to take all these idea, and use make up contouring as the 'war paint'
markings. I feel that contouring, is a long process, that needs to be done with
precision. I want to photograph the model putting on the make up, and document
the full process from start to finish. I want to see how the face changes, and
if there is a change of body language or facial expression.
I
want to shoot from the shoulder up, and let the model have full control of
where she puts the make up. Im hoping to find a model who knows how contouring
works, meaning they place the make up in the correct places. I want to
also show the make up being blended, and to show the finished look.
This
will be how some people do their make up on a every day basis, coming back to
the idea of protection. I want to relate back to the research, and show the
application process, to make girls feel better and more confident
about them selves. I hope to have a series of images that can either be
put together, or stand alone images.
