FEBRUARY 16 TO APRIL 16, 2024
Visit Venice CarnivalAn enchantment where the extraordinary mingles with the mysterious, where masks are much more than mere ornaments, but ephemeral actors of another time. Join us on a visual adventure where the streets of Bragança become the stage for 18th-century enchantment.
Between the masks and the magic of the canals
Não há um Carnaval de Veneza: há vários carnavaisThe Venetian Carnival, a plethora of events unfolding in a kaleidoscope of masks, color and spectacle. At the heart of this unique celebration, the monocromatic porcelain masks, emblems of the Venetian Carnival, mingle with the crowds in Piazza San Marco and along the shores of the lagoon, offering a breathtaking spectacle.
Masqueraders come to life, some embodying the Venetian lifestyle of the 18th century, frequenting the Florian and Il Quadri cafés, as well as the lavish balls of the "palazzos". From extravagant wigs to delicate lace, exuberant feathers to glittering jewels, every detail evokes the theatricality and fantasy of a bygone era.
Bragança's Magic Night
It's especially at dusk that Bragança reveals its most intense magic. Although the conditions are not ideal for a photographer with such rare light, this darkness adds a touch of unreality. The masks evolve in this half-light, creating silhouettes that transport viewers to another time, sacrificing sharpness for the mystery of shadows.
The seductive look
Beyond the visual splendors, our aim was to capture the interaction between the masks and the photographer. During this exceptional Carnival, the masks inspire an equally exceptional relationship. They engage the gaze of the lens, offering their faces to be immortalized. This game of seduction isn't played out in words, but in graceful movements, sweeping gestures and glances inviting a photographic capture they won't yield to.
The masks, far from concealing, reveal a deep desire to surrender to photography. This ephemeral exchange is precious, because by Ash Wednesday, the masks of everyday life will be restored, and glances will once again be furtive until the next Carnival.
The artists behind the lens
Manuela Matos Monteiro and João Lafuente, who have been devoted to photography since their teens, have captured these magical moments through their lens. Their portfolio, rich in works published in books and magazines, includes co-created exhibitions such as "Carnaval em Veneza" and " Douroo tempo e a terra". Artistic directors of the Espaço MIRA and MIRA FORUM galleries in Porto, and of the MIRA | artes performativas gallery since 2013, they are also the organizers and curators of the Bienal de Fotografia de Lamego e Vale do Varosa.
The Bragança Carnival is not just a festival, it's an enchantment, an escape into a bygone era, captured through the talented lens of two passionate artists. Join us on this adventure where masks reveal as much as they conceal, where photography becomes a silent dialogue with history.
