L'Italo-Americano

NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2017 www.italoamericano.org 3 the noble man becomes a mem- ber of the popular class, the sin- ner becomes the Cardinal. At the same time, it eliminates one's responsibility to follow rules." Typically, Carnevale began on December 26th and lasted until Fat Tuesday, but in the late 17th century it was extended. "[Carnevale] was a way for the bourgeois to keep the people always a bit merry, not thinking about the problems of life, espe- cially in the decadent period of the Republic of Venice. To keep the people happy, [the bour- geois] purposefully organized a Carnevale that lasted from October to Fat Tuesday, so five or six months," says Boldrin. Somewhat ingeniously, the bourgeois managed to maintain a hierarchy of social power by reversing the hierarchy, so that it seemed non-existent for six months out of the year. It was the mask that made that possi- ble. It is important to note that there were masks that were worn even for occasions that were not particularly associated with the festivities of Carnevale. Diplomats and foreign princes attended state ceremonies and courtly receptions, watched the opera and congregated in cafes while wearing masks. For exam- ple, the Bauta was worn all year long. It covered all of a person's features while still making it possible for the wearer to eat and drink. The mask consisted not only of a disguise that cov- ered the face, but also a piece of woven lace that hung from it, and a black hat with three tips. The period of the Republic of Venice in which the wealthy lived their most lavish lives was, ironically, the same period in which the Republic was begin- ning to lose power. Could it have been the mentality of a popula- tion fixed on unhindered plea- sure, and the corruption and chaos that come with exaggerat- ed indulgences, that caused the Republic's eventual collapse? Regardless, with Napoleon's defeat of Venice in 1797, the Republic fell, and with it disap- peared the festivities of Carnevale. It wasn't until recent- ly, in 1979, that Carnevale returned to Venice in a brilliant revival of Venetian history and culture. Artisans across Venice, like Boldrin and Belloni, began to study the ancient Venetian technique of mask-making and opened workshops throughout the historic city. Walk into the shop of a mask-maker today, and all eyes are on you. You'll find yourself surrounded by artistically fash- It wasn't until recently, in 1979, that Carnevale returned to Venice in a brilliant revival of Venetian history and culture. Artisans across Venice, like Boldrin and Belloni, began to study the ancient Venetian technique of mask-making and opened workshops throughout the historic city "The disguise takes away the responsibility of one's behavior" ioned masks of all shapes, sizes, and colors, waiting for a face to give them life. It's undeniably eerie, but there is an irrefutable beauty and indescribable tempta- tion hidden in the mystery of those black eyes leering at you from across the room, beckoning you to have a taste of what it would be like to be someone else. Do you dare? Continued from page 2

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