S ince prehistoric times, masks have been made to serve a variety of purposes or functions. A mask allows the wearer to adopt a new personality or identity with its own unique mannerisms and behaviors. This use of the mask is evident in all parts of the world and can be seen in both ancient and modern cultures.
Some masks serve to protect the wearer against physical dangers.
For example, doctors and surgeons sometimes wear masks to protect them from airborne germs. See if you can find other examples of masks which are intended as protective devices. Nowadays we take millions of photographs and expose countless feet of videotape to preserve the memory of faces and places which give us pleasure. We do this, in part, because we subconsciously believe that the personalities, places and emotions recorded in these images will continue to live with us. Historically, others have had this feeling too.