W H Y M A S K S
Masks have been used in rituals since centuries in human history in almost every culture in the world. They are tools. Tools to overcome boundaries, to expand awareness, to set transformative processes in motion and to connect with the divine. They are the embodiment of spirits, stories, and ideas. Today they are mostly used in theater, art, and carnival celebrations. But masks are powerful objects, closely connected to the human soul, our emotions, the forces of nature, and living beings on our planet. They have the power to magically make the hidden visible and conceal the obvious. The power of masks is the power of self-deception, of illusion, of illumination, of illimitation.
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Venice
One of hotspots for mask making is the region of Venice, Italy. Venice, one of the most magical cities in the world, made by artisans, is the historical cradle of the maskmaking cult in Europe. Masks have been used there since the 12th century for different purposes: one were traveling theater groups, the so called „commedia dell’ arte“, and the other was the 6-months-long carnival. Whereas the carnival transformed nowadays rather into a capitalistic act of an narcistic society, watching itself, it was back then an event for performing artists and a politically significant phenomenon to overcome social boundaries. Costumes and masks could be worn by everyone, the poor beggar and the rich aristocrat. It was a positive phenomenon of universal disguise: to release tensions within society and to unite in equality, joy, celebration, and freedom. So to say: Become nobody, be free, no more roles, no more identities, let go of everything. Everyone is unlimited. Be what you want. Choose your role. Play your game. Meet each person new, including yourself.
I had been fascinated by masks, their therapeutic effects and their power to shift perception since 2021 during my theater-project, where used them as part of the costumes. To delve deeper into my research on masks, their use, and production I completed an international scholarship from summer 2024 to Spring 2025 around Venice.
The unique art of traditional handcrafted mask making is still kept alive there by a few „mascareri“ – traditional mask makers, practicing their craft from design to execution. One of them is the famous „Sartori“ Family in Abano Terme, known worldwide for their leather masks for „Commedia dell’ arte“… and the other one is the Venetian artisan Gualtiero Dall’Osto, celebrated for his carnival masks. Both of them gave me the chance to learn different techniques for mask making at their workshop. Thanks to both of them for this great experience!
More information about the Mask Makers:
“Centro Maschere e Strutture Gestuali” by the Sartori Family: http://www.sartorimaskmuseum.it/
“Tragicomica” by Gualtiero Dall’Osto: https://tragicomica.it/
work Sourrounding
Impressions of venice
DEsign and Decoration
