Re: I've been wondering...jadecat9February 10 2008, 18:25:44 UTC
For the most part, "yes". The models themselves tend to favor the "volto" which completely hides their faces. This isn't the completely historical accurate Venetian mask, as it doesn't allow you to eat or drink without taking the mask off. But, as I mentioned, the models tend to favor this type of mask for aesthetic reasons. Some of the mask makers have really taken this type of mask to an art form with tribal patterns, pagan, and art-museum images, which you see in some shops. However, the vast majority are similar in vein.
In terms of other masks, there are the different traditional types: "bauta", the Venetial "plague doctor" (or anything with a very long ibis-like nose), "moretta" (an all black velvet mask for women held in place by their teeth), half-mask, etc. The bauta you see quite a bit of, but the moretta and beaked masks are a bit more rarer.
Visitors and tourists will often wear the half-mask variety more frequently than the other types, whether or not they are in costume.
The initial purpose was to completely conceal the identity of the wearer so that they could enjoy in the festivities of Carnivale and let commoner intermingle with the elite, so almost-full face mask coverings were popular.
Heck after a while, as long as you "wore a mask" during the year, you were forgiven anything (much like if you're drunk in Japan, no one faults you...)
I'll post up some of the other mask types that I took later.
In terms of other masks, there are the different traditional types: "bauta", the Venetial "plague doctor" (or anything with a very long ibis-like nose), "moretta" (an all black velvet mask for women held in place by their teeth), half-mask, etc. The bauta you see quite a bit of, but the moretta and beaked masks are a bit more rarer.
Visitors and tourists will often wear the half-mask variety more frequently than the other types, whether or not they are in costume.
The initial purpose was to completely conceal the identity of the wearer so that they could enjoy in the festivities of Carnivale and let commoner intermingle with the elite, so almost-full face mask coverings were popular.
Heck after a while, as long as you "wore a mask" during the year, you were forgiven anything (much like if you're drunk in Japan, no one faults you...)
I'll post up some of the other mask types that I took later.
Reply
Leave a comment