Wearing a mask in the city of masks.
Behind St. Marco's Square,
in the small attic room, the sound of the bell tower on
a hot September day.
I change the venetian mask that is repeated over and over
again in the city of masks. The city of mystery with an
ancient flavor.
Wearing different masks connects me to my inner self, continuing
to change them with the sound of the bell tower in the square.
Change a mask and everything changes, the appearance of
the face changes.
On the terrace of the attic, the view of the bell tower
and the warm colors of late summer create a feeling of familiarity,
typical of Italian cities of art.
Inside the room, Venetian elements emerge through the typical
style of the furniture, which I have transformed into a
temporary installation.
I have added some symbols to personalize the story of the
mask, the “Medico della peste” and “Arlecchina” represented
by two cats that symbolize the creativity of the city of
masks, while the symbols of numbers create the mystery of
magic.
Wear and change masks with slow movements to create an intimate
ritual. I have given emotional meaning to the colors: the
pink mask represents my exterior, the green mask my feelings,
and the orange mask my emotions.
The video includes some portraits of me wearing different
masks. My face is always covered to create mystery. I use
the mask like a second skin, moving from one emotion to
another simply by changing it, and my appearance is different.
Outside the attic with a view of the terrace, the view of
the bell tower in St.Mark's Square and the interior of the
room create the story. “Beyond calm and inner gaze” for
the blue mask, “Intense emotion and true passion” for the
orange mask.
After the day comes the night, which I have depicted with
a few glimpses of the back of the attic and the historic
center of Venice. The four masks are now on the table, waiting
to be worn again. My story continues with my journeys through
the historic center, among the streets and arcades wearing
the mask, crossing
St. Marco's Square, the Bridge of Sospiri, and finally ending
up at the Arsenale.
The "Vera dal Pozzo" is another symbol of Venice
and can be found in the city's squares (campi). Now the
masks are placed on top of this ancient well as the ideal
pedestal for a Venetian symbol.
What does the blue mask represent? The color represents
my inner self and spirituality, and I covered my face with
this intimate and profound color.
Finally, I repeated the mask ritual because the magic is
created by the place where I am, the Venetian decor, the
symbols, the installation, the natural light,
the September heat, and the voices and background sounds
of the bell tower. My time has come to an end, and so has
my spell. I let go of the story I have created. |
City:
Venice
Location: Calle Specchieri, San Marco
Venetian furnishings: H.Diana
Masks: Rio Tarà Styled in Italy
Images: Piazza San Marco, il Medico della peste, Arlecchina
Symbols: La Vera da Pozzo
Glimpses of Venice: Venice by night, Arsenale, Historic
center interiors
Dialogues, installations, and photographs: Cinzia Fontanelli
www.cinziafontanelli.com
Year: 2021-2023
Production: CFArt London Road Studio |
