Aztec Mosaic Mask

crayola supplies

Artista II® Washable Tempera Paint
Arts & Crafts Brushes
No-Run School Glue
Pointed Tip Scissors
Model Magic® Fusion™

household supplies

recycled newspaper
wax paper
container(s) of water
paper bowl

Why?

Dig deep into an ancient Mexican culture! Recreate colors reminiscent of traditional turquoise and coral found on these mosaic masks!

Steps

1. Spanish explorers encountered several distinct civilizations, including the famous Aztecs from Mesoamerica. From the 14th through 16th centuries, Aztecs were a wandering tribe of people before they settled in the Valley of Mexico where they founded Tenochtitlan—known today as Mexico City. Artifacts found from these cultures include fabulous jewelry, pottery, tools, and ceremonial items including masks.
2. Aztecs created masks to wear in religious ceremonies and in death. Masks were placed over a mummified head to protect the deceased from dangers in the afterlife. Research the Aztec culture and arts. Look at authentic images for inspiration before designing your replica mask.
3. Use a paper bowl or plate as an armature on which to build the mask. Trim and bend it into the shape you want. Add dimensional effects for the forehead, nose, and mouth. Indent sections for eyes. Cover your craft area with newspaper. Use a dark color of Crayola Tempera Paint to cover the base of the mask. Air-dry the paint.
4. Mix several colors of Crayola Model Magic® Fusion™ to make tints, shades, and tones similar to native turquoise and coral used in Aztec masks. Leave some areas where the colors are not completely blended for a marble effect. Roll out slabs on wax paper to dry overnight. Fusion dries to the touch overnight.
5. Cut Fusion slabs into small pieces (tesserae), mostly squares. While the Fusion is still pliable, press and glue the colored tesserae onto the mask base. Leave small spaces between each piece that could be "grouted" for a typical mosaic look. Because the real masks are so old, leave some areas of the mask blank, as if the pieces were lost over time. Air-dry the masks for 2 days.
6. Display the masks, accompanied by a map and other information to share about these "ARTifacts."

adaptations

Devote time to create interpretations of several different cultures from various time periods and parts of the world. Display replicas in chronological order, like a timeline, for other students to walk through the exhibit.

Art teachers can coordinate with classroom or social studies teachers to create this art. This project addresses a variety of curriculum standards.

Assessment: If students created a mask replica with small tesserae on a base that is formed like a face, they have been successful.

benefits

Students research artifacts from and information about Aztec civilization. Students demonstrate their understanding of the mosaic process and produce a decorative mask in the style of the Aztecs. Students participate in a display of their groups’ artwork to share information and ideas.

grades

Grades 1 to 3
Grades 4 to 6
Grades 7 to 12

subjects

Language Arts
Social Studies
Visual Arts

time

Multiple Sessions

curriculum standards links

US: Research U.S. Standards
UK: Research UK Standards
Canada: Research Canada Standards

safety guidelines

Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—

Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.

Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.