Carnival of Venice: Mysterious masks make the celebration

Every year up to three million visitors swarm the <a href="http://www.carnevale.venezia.it/?slang=en" target="_blank" target="_blank">Carnival of Venice</a>, a giant masquerade party that lasts for more than two weeks. Revelers mingle at cultural events and let loose at riotous street parties. No costume is complete without a mask or, in this instance, a court jester's parasol.

Welcome to the masquerade —

Every year up to three million visitors swarm the Carnival of Venice, a giant masquerade party that lasts for more than two weeks. Revelers mingle at cultural events and let loose at riotous street parties. No costume is complete without a mask or, in this instance, a court jester's parasol.

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The diva is in the details —

No one knows the exact origins of the carnival, but many historians believe that it originally commemorated a military victory. Today the city uses it to celebrate Venetian culture and the long history of Venetian mask making.

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A highlight of the carnival is <em>la maschera piu bella</em>, a contest for the best masked costume. Contestants compete in daily heats in Piazza San Marco. Finalists stomped it out in front of an international jury during the grand final on March 2.

The pink lady —

A highlight of the carnival is la maschera piu bella, a contest for the best masked costume. Contestants compete in daily heats in Piazza San Marco. Finalists stomped it out in front of an international jury during the grand final on March 2.

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<a href="http://www.nicolao.com/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Stefano Nicolao</a>, a Venetian mask maker and Oscar-nominated costume designer, has strict criteria. "For me, emotion must emanate through the costume and the person who wears it," he says. "There must be beauty, originality, an explosion of color."

Beware of snakes —

Stefano Nicolao, a Venetian mask maker and Oscar-nominated costume designer, has strict criteria. "For me, emotion must emanate through the costume and the person who wears it," he says. "There must be beauty, originality, an explosion of color."

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The man and the moon —

Contestants can compete as individuals or in groups, as in this sun and moon pairing. German designers have taken the title on several occasions in recent years, but in 2013 the contest was won by an Italian toymaker.

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Artisans at work —

Traditional Venetian masks are made by hand. Artisans first create a paper mache base, and then they apply paint, lace, feathers and jewels. Increasingly masks are not merely sold for masquerades, but also for weddings, corporate parties, fashion shows, and other social events.

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Antique face —

To give masks an antique look, they are often painted with a special paint that cracks as it dries. The technique, known as craquele, results in masks like this one.

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Doctors developed the <em>Medico della peste</em> (Plague doctor's mask) to protect themselves while treating victims of the Black Death. It features a long hollow beak and circular eye holes covered with transparent discs.

Designer snout —

Doctors developed the Medico della peste (Plague doctor's mask) to protect themselves while treating victims of the Black Death. It features a long hollow beak and circular eye holes covered with transparent discs.

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In the 18th century Venetian men wore the <em>bauta</em>, pictured at left, to political meetings so that they could express their will anonymously. This style of mask has a protruding chin that allows its wearer to eat and drink without removing his headgear.

Masquerade waltz —

In the 18th century Venetian men wore the bauta, pictured at left, to political meetings so that they could express their will anonymously. This style of mask has a protruding chin that allows its wearer to eat and drink without removing his headgear.

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The <em>Columbina</em> is a half-mask that covers only the eyes. The mask takes its name from a stock character in Italian plays--a maidservant who is so vain she only wants to cover a portion of her face. Worn primarily by females, it is considered the woman's answer to the <em>bauta</em>.

Look into my eyes —

The Columbina is a half-mask that covers only the eyes. The mask takes its name from a stock character in Italian plays--a maidservant who is so vain she only wants to cover a portion of her face. Worn primarily by females, it is considered the woman's answer to the bauta.

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The <em>volto</em> mask is considered the most typical Venetian mask. Often stark white or gilded, it covers the entire face. Owing to the fact it's light weight and rather creepy, the <em>volto</em> is also known as the ghost mask.

The moonies —

The volto mask is considered the most typical Venetian mask. Often stark white or gilded, it covers the entire face. Owing to the fact it's light weight and rather creepy, the volto is also known as the ghost mask.

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Masks like the <em>volto</em> can be a source of anxiety, an idea which this reveler plays on with his Munch-inspired costume. Popular culture teaches us to fear people with masks. Just think of Hannibal in "Silence of the Lambs" and Jason in "Friday the 13th".

The Scream —

Masks like the volto can be a source of anxiety, an idea which this reveler plays on with his Munch-inspired costume. Popular culture teaches us to fear people with masks. Just think of Hannibal in "Silence of the Lambs" and Jason in "Friday the 13th".

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Madame Macabre —

Masks don't have to look scary to stir unease. We rely on people's facial expressions to understand their feelings and emotions, and to sense threat. By removing these cues, masks can make people anxious.

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