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"Behind the Mask: What Carnival Teaches Us About Art and Identity"

Writer's picture: Annita Apostolidou PlatisAnnita Apostolidou Platis
Mar 2

article by Annita Apostolidou Platis


✒️ This article was originally published on my LinkedIn "Behind the Mask: What Carnival Teaches Us About Art and Identity" as part of a broader discussion on cultural celebrations and identity. I invite you to join the conversation there as well!


"Behind the Mask: What Carnival Teaches Us About Art and Identity"


While I have never experienced Carnival firsthand—partly due to my discomfort with large crowds and my unease with masks that conceal identity—I have long explored its artistic and cultural significance through literature, documentaries, and historical research. As an artist, I find the way different cultures approach Carnival to be a fascinating reflection of societal values, storytelling, and visual expression.


Venice Carnival: A Theatrical Masterpiece /Art & Identity


Among the many global celebrations, the Venice Carnival stands apart for its elegance, theatricality, and historical depth. Unlike the high-energy, immersive revelry of Brazilian or Caribbean Carnivals, Venice transforms its cityscape into a living stage, where masked figures glide through misty alleys, evoking the grandeur of bygone eras.

Venetian masks, such as the enigmatic bauta—characterized by its angular structure, allowing the wearer to speak and drink without removing it—and the classic volto, a smooth, featureless mask that fully conceals the face, symbolize more than just disguise. They represent transformation, power, and mystery—concepts deeply rooted in both Venetian history and artistic traditions.

The idea of playing a role, of momentarily becoming someone else, mirrors the way art allows us to explore different facets of the human experience.


The Duality of Masks: Art and Anonymity


Yet, my appreciation for the visual splendor of Carnival exists alongside a personal reservation—the idea of masks concealing true identity. Historically, they granted freedom of expression, but they also enabled deception. In a world where authenticity is increasingly valued, the symbolism of masks extends beyond the festival, touching upon themes of identity in daily life.

Perhaps this is where Carnival holds its greatest lesson. It invites us to question:


🔹 When do we wear masks in our daily lives?

🔹 Are they shields for self-preservation, or do they allow us to explore different facets of ourselves?

 🔹 Can the act of transformation through art and costume reveal something deeper about human nature?


Cultural Celebrations as a Window into Society


Every Carnival around the world is a mirror of its culture, revealing its people’s traditions, struggles, and aspirations. While I may not personally partake in these celebrations, I deeply appreciate their role as artistic and cultural expressions.

Whether through elaborate costumes, rhythmic processions, or symbolic rituals, they offer a unique lens into how societies communicate history, identity, and collective joy.

The Venice Carnival, in particular, resonates with me because of its theatrical essence and its ability to merge art, history, and mystery into a single experience. It is a celebration where fantasy and reality blur, reminding us that art—whether through fashion, performance, or visual storytelling—is a universal language that transcends time and geography.


What Do Celebrations Teach Us?


Carnival, in all its forms, is more than just an event—it is an evolving narrative, a communal act of storytelling. Even as an observer rather than a participant, I find inspiration in its ability to transform cities into immersive works of art.

 

Annita Apostolidou Platis Visual Artist | Painter | Exhibition Essayist | Curator | Fashion & Jewelry Designer | Interior Designer | Poet & Writer


🔗 Explore more of my work: Annita Apostolidou Platis | www.annitaplatis.com



 
 
 

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