The Art of Carnivale in Venice

Quiet Elegance

 

I realize that the last several posts have showcased performers who have quite a dramatic presence, and the color palette has focused on the color red.  But, of course, there are performers whose masks and costumes are just as striking, but in a softer and more elegant way, and here is one of them. 

This absolutely gorgeous Masker is quietly stunning in shades of white and cream.  The attention to detail and craftsmanship is impressive.  I love the delicate gold and pearls on the mask and the beauty of the lace.  And if one is going to have a beauty mark, well, it may as well be a diamond, don't you think?

Who is she?  What was the designer of this beautiful outfit thinking when she (or he) created it?  Is she a bride, making her way through the crowds to her wedding feast?  Or perhaps she is a woman of means looking for a suitor.   The playful stories one could conjure about this Masker, or any other Venetian Masker, for that matter, are endless.   And of course, we cannot assume that the Masker is a woman.

But whatever the story, she is an island of visual calm in the midst of the beautiful chaos that is Carnival.  Carnival Couture doesn't have to shout.  Sometimes an elegant whisper will do.

 

The Red Queen

 

We could only call her "The Red Queen," don't you think? 

Beautifully regal in scarlet, she looks at us with such a dramatically intense gaze that we are stopped in our tracks, captured by her spell.  And she has a costume and crown fit for a queen, as well.    The quality of the fabrics, the creativity of the design, the gorgeous details, the exquisite craftsmanship, this is an example of what we would call "Carnival Couture."  This Queen would be quite at home on an avant garde Parisian runway.

Would you like a closer view?

 

The Red Queen captures the dramatic theater that is one of the joys of Carnival in Venice.  She does not need words, with her gestures and amazing dark eyes, she commands us to engage with her, admire her, document her strength and beauty. 

We are most happy to oblige.

 

Elegant Simplicity

 

The last post highlighted the delightfully over-the-top, theatrical aspects of Carnival in Venice. 

But sometimes it's all about the most elegantly simple things:  Beautiful eyes, gorgeous fabrics and the perfect light.

Oh, and doves in the hair add a certain something, as well.

Beautiful!

The Wild Ones

 

 

Carnival in Venice was, as always, a marvelous experience this year.  The artistry, the creativity, the joy of it all once again delighted us.    This year we were just captivated by a group of three performers we have called, "The Wild Ones."  Their costumes and their masks were simply out of this world in a really edgy way. Wings?  Horns?  Feathered skirts?  Of course.  And wait until you see close-ups of the shoes and the hands!  We usually focus on detailed, individual portraits, but we couldn't possibly start without the larger view shown above. 

Now let's get a little closer and turn to the lovely crimson lady on the right (well, as always, we don't exactly know that it is a lady.....)

 

 

If you dare, let's get a little closer, still...

 

 

Fantastic!  Who would ever have thought of eyelashes for the eyebrow features.

But you have to appreciate other details.   The nails...

 

 

And that was only one hand, so here is the other..

 

 

And then there are the wings...

 

 

It cannot be easy to lug those things around.  This Carnival thing is not for the faint-hearted!  Finally, last (but certainly not least) there are the shoes.  Ah, the shoes...

 

 

Actually, it isn't just the shoes that are so dramatic.  It is the attention to detail in the other accessories that is so marvelous, as well.  The stockings are pretty wild.  And I can't say I would have thought of putting a garter around the ankle, but it certainly adds volumes to the whole effect.

You know, I heard someone in the afternoon crowd at St. Mark's Square saying something to the effect that it would be easy to be a Masker at Carnival.  After all, she noted, it just takes getting a mask and putting it on and walking around.  And for some visitors this would be true.  But when you look at performers like "The Wild Ones," you see that for other Maskers it couldn't be further from the truth.  Their presentation is the result of months of good design, attention to detail and hard work.  There is a huge financial commitment. And that is just getting the costumes and masks ready.  Once Maskers are out and about in Venice, it is not easy to move around in the costume.  Can you imagine walking on those heels (I know, the platform makes the heel a little less stressful, but still...) AND keeping your balance with those huge wings.  And I am still wondering how you transport it all to Venice in the first place.  Of course, I am using The Wild Ones as an example, but there are many, many Maskers for whom this is the case, as well. 

So, for the first post to celebrate Carnival 2012, we thought we had to showcase this amazing group.   We must say that unfortunately we don't know the names of all of "The Wild Ones," with the exception of the central figure in the group, a delightful man from Austria by the name of Alex Weingartner.  While we started with the lady in crimson, we honor all members of this edgy trio.  We will focus on Alex and his colleague in black and white in subsequent posts.  And we will show you the lady in crimson's other costume and mask....(yes, many Maskers have multiple costumes and masks).  Stay tuned...

 

It Only Takes a Glance

    

 

We work hard to make our Carnival portraits look as if they were captured in calm and controlled circumstances, but in reality, this is not the case.  In the traditional early morning photography sessions that occur in front of the Doge's Palace, we are joined by a collection of fellow-photographers who are equally as intent on capturing just the right image as we are.  And as the sun rises, we all are joined by lucky visitors who stumble upon this delightful scene and are trying to capture their own images, as well.  The scene in the afternoon session in front of the Doge's Palace is even more chaotic, with the numbers of both photographers and visitors increased exponentially.

For the performers, it must be challenging, as well.  They arrive in the dark of the predawn, having had to awaken early to don make-up, masks and costumes, and trying to keep warm in the damp cold.  Costumes may be heavy, head-dresses even heavier, and wearing a mask is challenging as it leaves one with essentially no peripheral vision.  And so performers glide into the chaos of it all,  aware that they have multiple audiences, all of whom want the perfect picture of them.  There is much that performers must gain from their efforts; to be sure, there is much that they give.

And so, in the middle of all this chaos, it is the moments of engagement,  the seconds where our eyes meet, if but for a brief glance, that are pure magic.  "Yes", we acknowledge silently, "Yes, we are here together on the marvelous stage that is Venice at Carnival."  We are so lucky to share it.

 

Blue Morning

 

This image was taken in front of the Doge's Palace, with the glorious colors of the sunrise and lagoon lights emerging in the background.  I find myself drawn to this portrait both because of the strength and richness of the color, as well as the beauty of the masker.  There is something quite alluring about the delicacy of a lace veil, whether covering the face or a mask.   

 In my fantasies, I wonder where this lovely lady is going so early in the morning.  Is she leaving the city as it awakens from its quiet slumbers?  Or is she returning to her home, still enveloped in the memory of a night of romance with a lover?  This is Venice.  Anything is possible.

 

Hot Pink Drama

 

Black and white is always a classic and elegant combination.  But look at the effect of a shot of hot pink drama. Simply marvelous! 

 

The Littlest Revelers

 

 

Today is Halloween and we are preparing for all the little "trick-or-treaters" in costumes who will arrive tonight looking for candy.  And what might this have to do with Carnival in Venice?  Well, during Carnival it is not that common to see children in costume.  However, if they appear, it is most often on the very first day, at the opening of the festivities, in St. Mark's Square.  Like children at Halloween in the United States, these little revelers are dressed in the sweetest costumes, like the little giraffe above.

Little girls are dressed up in princess finery, like this little lady in her lovely blue dress... 

 

 

...or this little one, head to toe in red...

 

 

And little boys are not left out of the festivities, as this dapper young man shows...

 

 

But wait, there are not just little two-legged revelers at Carnival.  There are four-legged ones, as well.  Like this completely adorable canine gondolier...

 

 

Or this rather more straight-laced fellow, complete in hat and striped shirt...

 

 

And because there always is at least one jester in the crowd, here is a colorful canine version...

 

 

So as we answer the door tonight and hand out candy, we also will be thinking back to the first day of Carnival, and all the sweet little two-legged and four-legged revelers who joined us there.

 

Visitors to Another Time and Place

 

We have shared many images of the performers who come to Carnival in Venice with ornate costumes and masks, who brave the early morning cold to share in the delight of performance and photography, many of whom return year after year.  But there are other visitors to Carnival in Venice, too.  And these are people who may come to join this marvelous event but once in their lives, who rent costumes and rent or buy masks, and take equal delight joining the crowds, parading and being photographed.  Like this beautiful lady, above, so elegant and gracious, with her scarlet feathered mask.

...And this lovely lady, with her unusual mask and golden wringlets...

 

And speaking of hair, sometimes hair can become a vital part of the whole ensemble.  Take this lady, with her mountain of amazing white curls (and we love her dimples, too)...

 

 

...And this gentleman (well, is he a gentleman?  We are not sure?) - with his mass of luxuriant red hair...

 

 

Sometimes a fancy costume and mask really isn't necessary, as these two fresh-faced young ladies illustrate...

 

 

Sometimes costumes just leave you a bit puzzled, but still smiling...

 

 

...While at other times, they just leave you smiling, as is the case with this cute tiger couple...

 

 

So, as has always been the case, people come to Venice at Carnival to play, to engage in fantasy, to eat, to drink, to enjoy the company of other revelers, to laugh, to escape the reality of their lives. 

And yet, of course, underneath the costumes, the masks, the fantasy, we all are still ourselves.  We still bring who we are internally, behind the mask,  with us.  This last poignant image reminds us of that.  This gentleman has the most vibrant costume, a rich head dress and mask and, well, his face is gold.  And yet, he brings the weight of his life in his eyes...

 

 

We hope, for just a few moments, this elegant man was able to escape the sadness in his eyes.  We hope he was able to stop and allow himself to share in some of the chaotic joy that surrounds all of us who have the good fortune to come to Carnival in Venice.  For La Serenissima is a generous lady. Each February she holds out her hand to us and invites us to leave our lives behind, to lose ourselves in play with her, to simply be transported as honored visitors to another time and place. 

 

Violet

Let us introduce you "Violet"

 

 

It is unusual for us to start a post with a full length view, but Violet is a very lovely, very petite and very skilled performer, and she looks particularly elegant in this pose in the portico of the Doge's Palace.  Her costume and headdress are intricate and rich, and while her mask is relatively less ornate, it is gorgeous in the simplicity of the  Indian jewels.

 

  

 

All of her accessories are beautifully designed and coordinated, from her charming mirror to her impressive rings and bracelet.....

 

 

right down to her lovely boots...

 

 

Yes, Violet is lovely from any perspective, even as reflected in her mirror...

 

 

 

Wait a minute. 

That isn't the Violet we saw a minute ago?  Is It?

Take another look.

 

 

 

Wow!  Here she is again, our Violet, in the same headdress and costume as before, but this time she has a different mask and accessories.  She has transformed from an elegant Indian maiden to a beautiful and dramatic Violet butterfly, her lovely mask framed by her rich and theatrical feather boa.  What a delight.

Violet illustrates one of the lovely surprises at Carnival.  We had noticed that some performers return from year to year in costumes that may be similar to a year prior, but different in some way, for example perhaps in terms of color.  But until Violet, we had not noticed that some performers, within one season, wore the same costume and headdress, but utilized different masks.

I am ashamed to say that we only noticed that Violet had transformed herself in this way when we returned home and looked at the images on the screen.  Rest assured, in the future we will be much more observant. 

So we are delighted to share Violet's transformations with you.  And we  look forward to seeing how this lovely and creative performer will surprise us next time.

 

Venetian Jewels (Dark Mystery II)

 

In the last post, the drama of the image came from the variety and richness of the jewels.  For this Masker, the drama comes from simplicity:  First,  the mask is simple, adorned only with dramatic black lips, high cheekbones and mysteriously covered eyes.  And then there are the jewels:  Again, the simple elegance of one dramatic ring, layers of classic pearls, and the beauty of light on richly colored velvet.  The final drama comes from the marvelous use of gesture. 

Here is another view (isn't the light gorgeous)...

 

 

 

We have featured this masker in a prior post.  And we have wondered if he or she is the same performer whose simple but striking mask has been paired with similarly dramatic yet simple costumes and evocative gestures in the past.  We don't know.  No matter - We still are captivated and delighted.  Perhaps one day we will find out.

 

The Lady is a Vamp

 
 

In the end, so much of Carnival in Venice is about theater.  Certainly, you are surrounded with artistry in the masks, costumes and head-dresses.  They provide the beautiful details that are visually captivating.  The image above shows the elegant simplicity of the mask complemented by the gorgeous richness of the costume.  It is a lovely view. 

But in terms of what makes a Masker memorable, there usually is something more.  The beauty of what is worn is necessary, but not sufficient.  What moves a lovely vision into a spectacular experience is the performer's capacity for theater. 

And this lady has it!

 

 

Now we are talking!  It is not enough for this lady to simply stand and look lovely.  Ah, that is too easy.  No, instead, draped in her silks and furs, she lounges in the Doge's Palace portico.  She is  dramatic, enticing...

 

 

 

Then, in a theatrical flourish, she reveals what you didn't see before, what is underneath the demure richness of her dress:  Layers of scarlet silk.  Wow.

The lady clearly is ready to play, to dance, to engage in any number of fantasies with you.  Are you ready?

And that's why the Lady is a Vamp.

The Ladies of the Cravat (The Tie Ladies)

 

Just when you think you've encountered the most creative costume ever, another one comes along.  And if you are lucky, another two bring delight to the cold Carnival morning.  So we take great pleasure in introducing to you the couple we can only call "The Ladies of the Cravat" or "The Tie Ladies."  We are assuming they are ladies (remember, at Carnival you are never sure).  But there is absolutely no doubt that the head-dress and costumes are made of ties. 

So we will start with close views.  You have already seen one Tie Lady.  Here is her colleague:

 

If you have visited this site before, you know that we are partial to close portraits.  But on this occasion, you really have to get the whole view to appreciate the creativeness of this homage to the cravat.

The view of the front:  Amazing.

 

And the backs are no less spectacular:

 

The ties are not just on top of the costume.  Oh no, they are layered underneath, as well:

 

What kinds of ties have been used?  Ones that have to make us smile.  First, homage to La Serenissima herself:

 

 And then there are those ties that make you smile, but you can't really imagine anyone wearing...(Sorry Snoopy...)

 

And...

 

And...

 

 

OK, we have to go back to the head-dress, because it is pretty extraordinary.  Yes, it is a basket full of ties...

 

And because this is Carnival and there is an exquisite attention to detail, here are the lovely accessories.  Tie fans, anyone? 

And, finally, because every Tie Lady must have jewels and a tie-handbag, here they are ...

 

So the conundrum faced by fathers and grandfathers everywhere - namely, what to do with all those ties that have been accumulated as birthday, Christmas and Father's Day gifts - has been solved.  Bring them to Carnival and let the Ladies of the Cravat give them new life!

 

Gifts from the Sea

 

La Serenissima is known for her intimate relationship with the water, especially her canals.  But her relationship with the sea also has been acknowledged in her title, "Queen of the Adriatic."

The gifts from the sea provide the heart of this delightful mask.  But there is something more:  The extraordinarily beautiful eyes of this masker.  We have to wonder, has an Adriatic mermaid made her way to Carnival?

 

The Secrets of Love

Two dear friends were married a week ago and we still are preoccupied with weddings. 

And how might that relate to Carnival? 

Not to worry, there are performers who bring the romance and beauty of a wedding to the winter celebrations in Venice.  Of course, the costume is even more over-the-top than even the most extravagant "traditional" wedding gown.  But it is lovely in the elegance of color and texture, and particularly striking in front of the architecture of Palazzo Ducale.

And what about the groom?  He is not relegated to something as mundane as a suit or tuxedo.  Oh no, he is resplendent in a matching garment, with a headdress that is even more complicated. 

 
These performers wear their hearts on their heads (not their sleeves).  But in love, all things are not so obvious.  In his gesture this performer reminds us that falling in love is a mystery.   There are secrets of the heart that can never be fully understood.  So just be quiet, don't try to put words to it.  Simply stop and appreciate the magic of finding love in this noisy world.

Perhaps that is a lesson most perfectly learned in Venice, this most mysterious and romantic of cities.  The daytime maybe busy, filled with noisy visitors frantic to see as much as they can before their day trip ends.  But in the quiet of the evening fog, if one stops and really listens, one feels surrounded by the secret whispers of centuries of lovers.

The Details: The Artistry of the Hand

They say the devil is in the details, but I think that is often where the beauty is.  This post will focus on the details related to the artistry of the hand of the Masker.   The artistry includes both the dress of the hand (the glove, the jewelry), as well as the elegance of gesture.

Sometimes it all is quite simple - a white glove, an unobtrusive jewel and an elegant line:

 
 

 

Sometimes the ring becomes larger...

 

...or more detailed...with a lovely swirl of gems...

 

 

...or even a butterfly...

 

 

The beauty can come from the vibrant color of the gloves and coordinating jewels, the detail of which may range from relatively simple...

 

 

 

...to bold and ornate... 

 

 

 All Maskers wear gloves.  Some might say that it is to protect the hands from the morning cold.  It is more likely that it provides an extra level of anonymity for the Masker - there is no way to tell from the hands whether or not the performer is a man or a woman.  Sometimes the gloves, themselves, are a focus of attention...

 

 

 Still, wearing gloves poses a quandary for the jewelry-wearer  - how does one ensure that the ring will fit properly?   Sometimes, elastic will do...

 

 

And sometimes the jewel itself is crated by the costume couturier and sewn onto the glove..

 

 

And then, because this is Venice, sometimes the artistry of the hand becomes ornate in a marvelously over-the-top manner.  Is that a peacock on your finger, along with that lovely ring?

 

 

 

And finally, there is the delight of baroque excess - a little bit of everything...

 

 

Baubles, bangles and beads, and lacy gloves, too.  And, by the way, do you notice the brooch?  Ah yes, how could you miss it?  And that leads us to a whole new topic of interest:  The artistry of other types of jewels.  But that is for another post.   

It is clear that Carnival Maskers and their costume couturiers leave nothing to chance.  They pay close attention to every detail of the image they are creating.  It is only right that we should do so, too, and relish every aspect of their artistry.

Diamond Girl

"Diamond Girl, You sure do shine..."

Seals and Crofts, 1973

 

What else could we call her but Diamond Girl?  The mask could hardly be called a mask, really.  It is delicate, open, sparkling in the afternoon sun.  It  is not intended to cover, but rather enhance the loveliness of the wearer.  She is not shy, she is not hiding.  In fact, her impressive hairstyle can be seen above the Carnival crowds...

 

Our Diamond Girl is lovely, delicate and sure of her beauty.  Perhaps more from the time of Marie Antoinette than Seals and Crofts, but she speaks to the power of imagery to trigger memories of all sorts, including the words to songs from one's younger days...

"Diamond Girl, you sure do shine, glad I found you....Makes no difference where you are, day or night-time, you're like a shining star...."

 

The Elegance of the Geisha

Japan is on my mind, now.  We all watch, fearfully, the terrible struggles of the Japanese people as they cope with the trauma wrought upon them by both nature and man. 

Of course, these musings have nothing to do with Carnival, I thought.  But then I remembered the Geisha.  This masker appeared very early one morning, before most photographers.  She was stunning in her lovely silk kimono.  For a time she sat on the cold stone of the Doge's Palace portico. I remember worrying that she must have been very cold.  She left as quietly and mysteriously as she arrived.  We had never seen her before and we have not seen her since.

This image has been transformed into a painting.  I wanted to honor the quiet elegance of this particular masker.  But more than that, I wanted to honor the elegant strength and resilience of the Geisha and the culture and history that she represents. 

The Art of the Line

 

We haven't posted for a little while.  Carnival in Venice has just finished - another year of colorful and enthusiastic performances by Maskers and photographers alike. 

We have featured this masker before, focusing on her beautiful and mysterious mask-upon-a-mask.  But here is another view of this beautiful presentation, revealing the  elegant lines of both her headdress as well as her earrings.  In the midst of Carnival excess, she reminds us that simplicity in both color and form can be dramatic and lovely.

Golden Excess

 

The prior post revealed the clean and graphic lines of the masks and costumes worn by the Maskers from Bonn, Germany.  So it is only right that this post reflect the other end of the mask-and-costume-complexity-continuum. 

As you can see, this is anything but simple.   This masker stands proudly in the morning light, with no apology for the excess that engulfs her.  "Look at all that I am," she says.  Although this is Carnivale, so perhaps we shouldn't assume that the person behind the mask is a woman.  Of course, it doesn't really matter (over the centuries, it never really has) because what is shown to us is so impressive and enticing.  There is so much of everything - silk, fur, braiding, pearls, jeweled trim, chiffon.  And then there is the hat - an incomparable basket of rich creativity.  Even the mask itself is embellished with dramatic eye decoration, a mouth that is lush and sensuous (even in black) and - of course - there is the final touch of seductive excess:  the beauty mark.  

It would be hard to put a label on this golden fantasy.  And yet, perhaps it fully symbolizes, in no uncertain terms, what Carnivale has always meant to Venice:  A time of lovely, puzzling, beautiful and overwhelmingly enticing excess.

The Bonn Group

 

There is a marvelous group of performers who regularly attend Carnivale in Venice and other locations, who come from Bonn.  Members of the group often dress similarly, with a single theme, usually with bright, clear colors and a graphic quality to the design, always very simply and elegantly executed.  This is a group of the Bonn performers from 2010.

How dramatically clean and graphic it all is, starting with the simple black shirts, pants and shoes.  But each performer becomes an individual with the vibrantly colored hat, collar, gloves and accessories.  Even the socks and shoes are individualized.

Here is another view:

 

And because the detail is so lovely, lets look closer:

 

It is the clean, graphic quality of these masks and costumes that attracts me. 

Of course, there is a bit of an issue with the hat.  If you come from a British heritage, it does demonstrate a strong resemblance to...

a...

tea cosy.

 

No matter, the hats are beautiful, textured, colorful pieces of art, each of which speaks to the creativity and humor of the designers of the Bonn Group costumes.

 

 For more information about the Bonn group, visit their website:

www.carnevale-di-venezia-bonn-de

Vibrant Texture

 

This Masker is striking because of the beauty of the fabric used for the costume and headdress - the vibrant color and rich texture is marvelous.  By themselves, they would be lovely.  But because this is Carnivale, there is more:  An additional surprise is the beauty of the accessory - a richly decorative fan.  Finally, to complete the picture, are the Masker's ability as a performer and the photographer's skill in capturing just the right moment.

Wild Thing

 

Wow.  What can you say? 

This Masker displays is a completely novel approach to the Carnivale artistic world (an artistic world which, in and of itself, is already quite unique). 

What is marvelous about this mask and headdress is the richness of the colors and textures.  Even the mask itself has a sparkly, textural quality.  And a little touch of urban chic amidst this natural wildness - the lovely rich lip color.

To paraphrase the 1960's band, The Troggs (and who would believe we would do that?!): 

Wild thing, we think we love you.

Excuse Me, But What Is That On Your Head?

 

So, this is what it is like at Carnivale.  In the cool morning, you will see a Masker making his or her way through St. Mark's Square for the sunrise photography session.  It always is exciting to see someone new.  

On first glance, what initially is striking about this performer is the costume, the large amount of fabric, and the graphic black and white stripes and circles.  You can't miss it.  It's huge and a bit overwhelming, and it certainly grabs your attention. 

Then the Masker comes closer, you are able to see more of the details.  You get a better glimpse of the mask and the hat... 

The mask is sweet and simple.  It is a delicate contrast to the bold and very large costume.

And then there is the hat.  It's very pink.   Lots of flowers.

A pink bouquet of flowers? 

Look closer...

 

Oh -

OK -

It's a wedding cake!  A silk wedding cake with a pink lily cake-topper. 

And that is another of the delights of Carnivale in Venice.  The playful creativity that walks towards you each winter morning. 

A wedding cake on your head?  But of course! 

Once Upon a Mask 3 - Golden Filigree

 

This mask is a stunning piece of art.  It takes a moment to realize that the gold filigree is a separate piece - another mask - placed over the white base mask. 

This image also shows some of the frankly over-the-top costume details that can only make you smile.  Look at the bottom of the image, in each corner.  Yes, those are gold Christmas tree ornament balls.  And yes, they are attached to a stunning collar that would have made Elvis Presley proud.  No matter that the fine line between elegant and theatrical clearly has been crossed:  That is part of the artistic fun of contemporary Carnivale. 

But lets go back to elegance and that lovely mask.  Take a closer look:

 

 This mask-upon-a-mask glitters and sparkles in the warm late afternoon sun, and in its three dimensional beauty, even the shadows provide a subtly artistic effect. 

Golden filigree:  An elegant piece of jewelry for the mask (and Masker), and a lovely and delicate surprise for the viewer. 

Faberge's Lady

 

We call this performer "Faberge's Lady" because the elegant and rich details of the costume and hat remind us of the rich colors and detail found in the work of  Peter Carl Faberge. 

The hat is a masterpiece in and of itself:  Somewhat egg-like in shape, it drips with fur, feathers, silk and jewels.  The scarlet fur and pristine feathers move gently in the breeze and the whole effect is quite mesmerizing.

This performer conveys a sense that she knows she is stunningly beautiful.  She is slender,  graceful in her movements, and has quite a regal bearing.   Then it occurred to me that this slow elegance and lovely posture might also stem from the work that it takes to support and maintain the position of such an amazing piece of millinery.

I still find myself captivated by Faberge's lady.  I appreciate the extraordinary level of creative effort and practical work it must have taken to produce such an effect.  She is richly lovely.  Were he to see it, I suspect that Mr. Faberge would approve.

Shades of Blues

 There are many shades from the blue family in this image - from the sky to the mask to the costume, to the jewels.   More intangibly, there is an emotional sense of blues in this image, too.  La Serenissima understands that life is complicated.  Her carnivale celebrates both the light and the dark, equally beautifully. 

Do I Know You - 2?

With such rich, vibrant red, this was one of our favorite performers, masks and costumes from 2009.

    

And so as we photographed this performer in 2010, clothed in the most vibrant blue, the effect was similar enough that we assumed it was the same person:

 

I wonder if we are right?

Rainbow Silk

 

A lush combination of color and texture to brighten a cold morning:  Rainbow silk, soft fur and striking eyes.  Just beautiful.

Fantasy in Green II: Couture at Carnivale

 

Our Green Lady looks amazing from a distance.  Parisian couture meets science fiction.  But the details are even more gorgeous. 

Consider her headdress, quite a feat of engineering and design:

 

  

The craftsmanship and detail are amazing:  Beautiful pearls, cloisonne beads, ribbon.  Interesting shapes and textures.  I am particularly taken with the texture of the fabric.  It is the same fabric as is used on her costume, but here on her head, the textural peaks and valleys remind me of an image of the cortex. 

Her handbag is a sweet delight (and what an attention to detail - even down to the feather and sequins on the top of the ribbon handle):

 

Leather gloves?  An oversized ring?  But of course.

 

And the shoes, well, nothing else could finish this ensemble but these fabulous shoes:

    

By themselves, the green shoes would have been lovely.  But the inclusion of the ribbon, feather and sequin details here, as well, shows that nothing has been left to chance.

If La Serenissima were a younger lady, perhaps she would wear this amazing creation.  The Green Lady:  The creativity and workmanship of Parisian couture meets the mystery and delight of Carnivale in Venice.

Fantasy in Green

 

This performer, whom we can only identify as "The Green Lady,"  had one of the most magnificent costumes that we had the pleasure of photographing this year at Carnivale. Her mask is relatively simple, but everything else is simply amazing.  The textures, the design, the embellishments, the workmanship - a gorgeous creation.  It reminds us of the high level of skill, time, energy and cost involved in the design and execution of many costumes.  We would love to know more about this aspect of Carnivale.

The last post focused on a traditional Venetian mask.  Apart from the form of The Green Lady's mask, there is nothing traditional about this costume and headdress.  But that is one of the marvelous things about Carnivale in Venice.  History walks side-by-side with innovative fantasy, and it all looks stunning.

Traditional Venetian Masks : The Bauta Mask (The Volto or Larva)

 
 
 

While some of the masks and costumes  worn at contemporary Carnivale celebrations rely on pure artistic fantasy, others hark back to earlier times.  The ensemble  above, called the Bauta, is such a traditional costume.  Actually, while the mask is sometimes called the Bauta, this is not quite correct.  The mask, itself, was called the "Volto" or "Larva."  

The Volto or Larva  is one of the oldest traditional Venetian masks.  It was very striking, with  a strong, face-like shape, an enlarged nose, a protruding upper lip and a strong  jawline.  The mask itself did  not cover the whole face and so allowed the wearer to talk, eat and drink without taking it off.  Its design effectively disguised the face and even could change the timbre of the voice.  The term "volto" has been translated to mean face, while "larva" has been translated to mean "ghost" and sometimes this is called a "ghost mask."

 

While this example is  gold, traditionally, the mask would be white or black, made of leather, papier mache or plaster.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some contemporary examples of the Volta:

 

 

 

 In contemporary Carnivale, the Volta is often very ornate and accompanied by equally ornate costumes.  The lower part of the face, chin and neck are not necessarily fully covered and so at least the gender of the wearer is not concealed.   However, when the Volta is part of the traditional Bauta costume, the face is fully covered and it is impossible to tell if the wearer is a man or a woman. 

The traditional Bauta costume includes other elements as well as the mask, and this will the the focus of an upcoming post. 

Do I Know You?

 
 
 It is odd to think that we only "know" some performers by way of their masks and/or costumes.  Attending Carnivale over several years, sometimes you will see the same mask/costume and will assume that the same person is wearing it.  Sometimes, you will notice that a costume looks familiar from a prior year, but has changed in some way, for example, perhaps the color is different though the design is similar.  Sometimes performers appear in different costumes within one Carnivale season, or utilize a different mask with the same clothing.

But sometimes a performer seems familiar because of both elements of his or her costume, as well as the way he or she performs.  This is the case with the performer pictured above.  I love photographing this person because of the spare and graphic nature of the costume and jewelry, but also because of the lovely way this Masker poses, with a particularly elegant use of gesture and an intensity of gaze.  Because of this, I think the following image may be of the same person (both images were taken in 2009):

 

And this year, though the costume is quite colorful - there remains the similar theme of elegant simplicity in dress and manner, and so I suspect, this is my favorite performer, once again:

 

This is part of the mystery of Carnivale.  In some ways I "know" this person and enjoy working with them photographically, but the reality is that I don't know them at all.  I am not even sure that my hypothesis that these images are of the same performer is correct.  Eventually, on our next trip to Carnivale (if not sooner) I hope I will find out.