Carnival

Working with Masks

Carnival! Transformation and Release

The history of carnival celebrations is long, rich and varied. The frenetic release of high spirits has arisen in many cultures and for many reasons, often religious in character. The Dionysian Festivals of Ancient Greece that sponsored the famous play cycles arose from the spirited dance and song rituals in homage to the multi-faceted God of wine, fertility, and drama. In Rome, the wild Saturnalia festivals of midwinter were Christianized into Mardi Gras, the pre-Lenten carnivals during the middle ages. The Venetian Carnival, known to us from movies and paintings was celebrated for the elaborateness of the costumes and masks. The Brazilian and New Orleans carnivals are exciting, edgy and visually rich. Japanese New Year festivals allows for uninhibited behavior, drumming and theatricality. All of these celebrations have in common the opportunity for people to lay aside their everyday selves, and assume a new identity. Fools, fertility/sexual frivolities and an opportunity to burst the constraints of propriety are common elements. The popularity of Halloween - Trick or Treat, speaks to this.

Carnival - Mixed Media Work 2006-2008 by B. Lynch