Guernica (by Pablo Picasso, 1937)
The subject of this painting is quite complex, we are not taking into consideration any analysis in our post. What is immediately evident at the first glance is the deep emotions that spring out from the canvas: anxiety, suffering, devastation.
The Horse, detail
As far as Guernica is concerned, one of the elements chosen was the horse: the frightened expression of the animal has become one of the symbols of the atmosphere which is present in the painting. In order to create this figure Rossana used styrofoam and papier-mâché: these are the materials that she normally prefers for her masks. The question, though, was how to reproduce the fringed hair of the horse. Rossana used an empty bottle of chlorine for the purpose, cutting it into fringes. The horse has probably been the most difficult figure to create: in the painting, in fact, it looks flat, so it has been quite a challenge to give volume to the figure.
Light bulb, detail
Mother and child, detail
The Bull, detail
Also for the light bulb, the mother with her child and the bull Rossana used styrofoam with papier-mâché.
When she works on a project, her entire house is transformed into a workshop: every single object can be used as recovery material, on every table and at every corner you can find the elements of the mask she is working on.
Rossana’s workshop-house
Rossana’s workshop-house
The detail with light bulb, partially painted
The detail with the horse, partially painted
The metal structure
On this metal “cage” Rossana applies the silk cloth, that was accurately chosen for its consistency and for its colors. On the silk Rossana then applies a special kind of cloth, previously printed with images taken from the painting (Guernica in this case); it is on top of these printed images that the three-dimensional styrofoam elements are then fixed.
Rossana shows us the silk she has chosen for her Guernica
Rossana shows us the silk she has chosen for her Guernica
The metal structure covered with a metal net, silk and some of the details of the mask
Rossana will at the end enter this metal “cage”: totally unseen inside this structure, Rossana will walk around Venice, to experience the Carnival her own way, peeping out from an almost invisible slit on the cloth.
The cut allowing Rossana to enter inside the costume
Ladies and Gentlemen: Guernica, by Rossana Molinatti
This new art piece by Rossana does not properly fit the joyful, playful, thoughtless atmosphere that is normally the essence of the Carnival. This masterpiece definitely brings along several thoughts… And it is our hope that this Guernica, like the original one by Pablo Picasso, can offer to all the guests, in the swirling sounds and colors of the feast, the chance to think about history, about life, about the real values that should rule our world.
Finally, if you are in our beautiful city during Carnival, walking around on your own or taking part to a private guided tour of Venice, pay attention: if you see Guernica, now you know there is this extraordinary artist inside the costume. Ciao!
The bull and the small square window allowing to Rossana to see
Contacts: info@guidedtoursinvenice.com
