A wooden frame for creating a grotesque headA wooden frame for creating a grotesque head. Source: Special Collections, Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, Image 043_005_002
Drawn instructions for creating a female grotesque headDrawn instructions for creating a female grotesque head. Source: Special Collections, Chicago Park District Records: Drawings, Drawing 3868
A man works on creating the clay model for a grotesque headA man works on creating the clay model for a grotesque head. Source: Special Collections, Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, Image 051_009_007
A man works on creating a grotesque headA man works on creating a grotesque head. Source: Special Collections, Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, Image 043_005_001
Drawn instructions for creating animal grotesque heads and bodiesDrawn instructions for creating animal grotesque heads and bodies. Source: Special Collections, Chicago Park District Records: Drawings, Drawing 3936B
Four boys work on a grotesque horse headFour boys work on a grotesque horse head. Source: Special Collections, Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, Image 051_009_001
Drawn instructions for creating a clown grotesque headDrawn instructions for creating a clown grotesque head. Source: Special Collections, Chicago Park District Records: Drawings, Drawing 3914
Drawn instructions for creating a witch grotesque headDrawn instructions for creating a witch grotesque head. Source: Special Collections, Chicago Park District Records: Drawings, Drawing 3921
Two grotesque dog headsTwo grotesque dog heads. Source: Special Collections, Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, Image 005_002_003
Four children wearing grotesque headsFour children wearing grotesque heads. Source: Special Collections, Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, Image 015_025_002
Four people wear grotesque headsFour people wear grotesque heads. Source: Special Collections, Chicago Park District Records: Photographs, Image 043_005_006
Can't decide what to dress up as for Halloween? Do you feel that a simple mask doesn't show enough dedication? Do you need a better costume idea?
Look no further than the Chicago Park District Records: Drawings and Photographs. These collections, along with Grotesque Heads and Masks & Costumes, published by the Park District and the South Park Commission, respectively, and available in our Municipal Reference Collection, will tell you how to make your very own grotesque head and transform yourself into something truly unique.
As the publication Grotesque Heads will tell you, in the past, peoples from around the world "believed that the grotesque head mask of exaggerated size imparted to its wearer the superhuman powers of the animal, spirit, demon or deity that the mask was intended to represent." The Park District seemed just to think they were creepy and fun.
The drawings and guide books will instruct you to build a clay model first, using one of several methods. Then, over the clay model goes papier mache to develop the mask. Once dry, the papier mache mask is cut off the model and laced back together to fit over the wearer's body.
Come into Special Collections to view more drawings and photographs to inspire your own Halloween costume. And check out our catalog for more Halloween craft ideas. Be sure to share photos of your grotesque heads with us!
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