National Geographic April 2012, African Masks by Phyllis Galembo

National Geographic is currently the only magazine I have a subscription to which was a gift to me from my girlfriend, since she knew I had previously been paying for each issue individually from bookstores and other new stands she thought it'd be a nice to have a yearly subscription.
Nat Geo has been one of my top favorite sources of world photography, news, history, and culture. I'd even go to garage sales or thrift stores to find older issues from past decades.

When I sit to read the new issues I take my time to browse and actually read the articles to understand what the photos are about. I've even used articles as sources on science papers. I take the magazine pretty serious. Since the spring semester started I haven't found time yet to read February-April, but when I get them in the mail I'll leaf through and glance at the photos.

In the 2012's April issue the cover story and big spread is on the Titanic and it's story with photos of the shipwreck under water. Looking at photos I'll have to check out the full article and text on it. I'd be lying if I said from April's issue the Titanic was what immediately intrigued me.

It was the colorful, intricate, and spiritual portraits by Phyllis Galembo of African masks was stand out right away.  Phyllis Galembo, a Professor at University of Albany, has for over 20 years traveled to Africa and Haiti to document the culture that comes with the mask.
The April Issue brings attention to what Galembo's work has been about and the fascination that belongs to it.
"It's the creativity. It's not just the mask. It's about the entire ensemble and the uniqueness of ritual dress."


Galembo's photos highlight the creativity and uniqueness to the fullest and NG gives readers the platform to experience of these cultures and lets us look in awe of other worldly beings.

Here are a few photos from the feature -

Cathy Newman writes the article for NG,
In the realm of the spirit world, the mask is more than mere facade. It is utterly transformative. The man in the mask—and it is nearly always a man—may speak in a different voice, move differently, behave differently, because he is a different being. The mask is put on. The line between reality and illusion, god and man, life and death blurs. The masked man is not playing a role. He becomes the role.  NG

The article addresses a cultural distinction, but rather than comparing cultures I reflect on my own and look at what makes ourselves distinct and also try to find examples of what similarities we may share. 

Costume and dressing up has a great history in photography where photographers explore, experiment, and point it out, being inspired by halloween, past generations trends of their own societies, as well as original costumes inspired by nature like the masks from Galembo. 

Read the article on NG and see the full gallery with additional captions for each mask and dress. 

Visit Phyllis Galembo's website to see other work.