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Mardi Gras Costume Party Ideas :
Having a Ball? A Masquerade Ball that is!
Venetian masks have a long history of protecting
their wearer's identity during promiscuous or
decadent activities. Made for centuries in
Venice, these distinctive masks were formed from
papier-mâché and wildly decorated with fur,
fabric, gems, or ribbons. Eventually, Venetian
masks re-emerged as the emblem of Carnevale, a
pageant and street fair celebrating hedonism.
 Venetian masks emerged in a climate of cultural
and religious repression during the Medieval era
in Italy. People donned the colorful masks to
free themselves from judging neighbors, all of
whom knew each other in such a small city. The
gentry class and peasants alike sought anonymity
for promiscuity, gambling, and other
indiscretions. Even the clergy were known to
dress up to go dancing.
(find a mask)
After
the 1100s, the masquerade went through periods
of being outlawed by the Catholic Church,
especially during holy days. Their policy lead
to eventual acceptance when they declared the
months between Christmas and Shrove Tuesday free
for Venetian mask-attired decadence. This period
evolved into Carnevale, the pre-Lent celebration
meaning, "remove meat." Although Carnevale lost
popularity as Venice's cultural production
faltered during the Enlightenment, it was
officially reintroduced in 1979.
(find a mask)
 The
modern celebration of Carnevale has
reinvigorated the art and craft of making
Venetian masks. The traditional method involves
sculpting a form out of clay as a base for the
mask. Most masks are made from papier-mâché, a
sticky paste made from paper strips and glue.
This plaster material is layered over the base,
dries, and gets removed to form the basic mask.
The fun part comes when the craftsperson paints
designs in gold, silver, royal purple, sunny
yellow, and other bright colors. Further
decorations include sequins, silk ribbons,
exotic bird feathers, faux fur, rhinestones,
leather, gold charms, glitter, and any other
outlandish trinkets.
Recognizable types of Venetian masks continue to
dazzle tourists, dancers, and pageant
participants during Carnevale and year round.
The Bauta mask covers the whole face, with a
stubborn chin line, no mouth, and lots of
gilding. A half-mask with gold and silver
stripes and jeweled eyes is called a Columbino
that you hold up to your face with an attached
stick. Other popular shapes include large,
hooked noses, black and white checkered diamonds
called a Harlequin pattern, and bright red,
pursed lips. Wearing Venetian masks has spread
to Halloween masquerade balls and what North and
South Americans call Mardi Gras, but they always
carry their rich Italian tradition.
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