I’ve been collecting masks since around 1998, when I moved to the United States from South Africa. I wanted to take a little bit of cheesy African touristy culture with me to hang on my wall and remind me of home. However, it stirred something in me that I had long suspected: I am a stickler for quality. The problem with quality is that it costs money. I also have a long and sordid past of being madly in love with fancy dress. As a kid I remember it being a matter of pride that I had a full face Spiderman mask. Even though other kids felt boxed in or claustrophobic or uncomfortable in full backed masks, I realized that Spiderman would not compromise so I just forced myself to deal with it… yeah, I was a weird kid. The two elements of the love of fantacy and the art of changing one’s identity coupled with a particular need for “nice” things has led me to the highly addictive practice of mascology (not a word, I know… yet).
Any way, I’ve decided to blog about something a little more constructive and focused than my usual ramblings, and hopefully it helps someone out or it at least allows me a nice venue to learn.
Enjoy!
Greg