Symbolic forms in ancient Egyptian art as a source of innovation of metal mask masquerade.

Heritage is one of the most important sources that are taken into account in most areas of art education, as it is a stock of artistic experiences that carry many meanings and intellectual premises. There were many trends and artistic schools in developing various styles and methods of formation inspired by heritage, within the framework of innovative ideas and formulations, characterized by artistic originality and cultural communication. Researchers and artists in general, and students of metalwork in particular, resorted to searching and excavating what enriches their creative imagination, as it is a stock of expertise. Aesthetic that carries with it many artistic and cultural connotations.

In this research, the symbolic forms of ancient Egyptian art were used in proportion to the thought and philosophy of art education, as an introduction to the creation of a metal masquerade mask to enrich the field of metalwork and to emphasize the importance of manual formation, and the adaptation of different types of raw materials and elements in plastic formulations, using common metal methods and techniques. All this led to the creation of a metallic work of art characterized by aesthetic and functional values. The research experiment relied on students of the fourth year in the Department of Art Education at the Faculty of Specific Education at Menoufia University, through the course of metal works (2) in 2022. The idea of the research came through students who wanted to use a masquerade mask during their final graduation ceremony. So the idea was formulated by implementing a metal craft in the form of a masquerade mask made by their hands and benefiting from what was taught. The idea also emphasized the benefit from the academic curricula, and the importance of handicrafts, and how to benefit from them to implement any artistic handicraft, whether metallic or non-metallic.

The importance of the research lies in how to take advantage of the symbolic forms of ancient Egyptian art and clarify their concept and use in the formation and composition of metal artifacts such as the masquerade metal mask with design, plastic, aesthetic and functional values. As well as rooting the Egyptian identity and consolidating it among future youth students.