A VENETIAN RHAPSODY OF HOPE
In Venice the end of Carnival is celebrated with the ‘Ballo del Doge’, a unique artistic event conceived by Antonia Sautter, which transforms the imaginary into an artistic reality
Within the dynamics governing the balance of world history, there lies a threshold beyond which the direct opposite of every status quo passes into the dimension of the possible and the legitimate. This opportunity to subvert normality is manifested in a shared and widespread cultural tradition, during a very specific time of year, when humanity is called upon to play out, on the great universal stage, a very different and unusual role. Every rule and pre-ordained order is reversed, the conventions are swept away and re-configured with feverish and imaginative parameters. This tiny world of infinite possibilities is the essence of the celebrations during Carnival, the Feast of Fools, the unpredictable, subversive, vital Dionysian breath of creative disorder.
Venice, Italy, the floating city, rebel against the might and power of its waters, is recognized as the worldqueen of Carnival, the place-to-be when the dice are cast and the incredible happens.
Here in this lagoon city, Antonia Sautter, a skilled weaver and creative artist, has devised a spellbinding, magical piece of performance-art: the ‘Ballo del Doge’ (Doge’s Ball), which is held each year on the last Saturday of Carnival.
For 2020, this lead proponent of Venetian craftsmanship, chosen by the director Stanley Kubrick to create the masks for his iconic film Eyes Wide Shut, developed the theme: Carnival Rhapsody - Provocation, Redemption, Miracle, a three-part production for the 27th annual performance of the ‘Ballo del Doge’. It was an extraordinary, creative event which this year took place for the first time in the setting of the ‘Scuola Grande della Misericordia.’
Antonia Sautter, a genuine champion of the great city of Venice, was born and educated there before moving to New York City to work in the fashion industry. Later, she returned to Venice and created “Venetia” her own fashion line that evolved into Antonia Sautter Creations & Events. From this background Sautter developed her vision of high-end events, creating, through her artistic direction, a winning combination of narratives, imagery, costumes and theatrical sets, which led, in 1994, to the concept of the ‘Ballo del Doge’, the most exclusive masked gala in Venice, or indeed, the world. “Only great passion animated by a pinch of irrationality and lightness can lead to the creation of a miracle.” explains Sautter. She adds: “Only a great love, of both Venice and the others who also love her, can contribute to this miracle. Venetians are the ones with Venice in their hearts, there is so much room there. My byword is ‘imagine’, because Venice is in the imagination, a waking dream within the everyone’s reach.” This year more than ever, the dream of the Ballo del Doge was embedded with themes of hope and rebirth, especially following the dramatic hours experienced by Venetians from the extremely high tides that raged through the city in November 2019. Sautter’s rhapsody engaged three essential concepts: Provocation, to embrace the dream, giving it space to express itself and overcome adversity, Redemption, understood as a desire for liberation from obstacles, to project oneself
with all ones soul into wonder, and finally, the Miracle of Venice’s salvation, by emphasizing the beauty of the most glamorous carnival in the world. The rhapsody, a music compositional style excelled at by Brahms and Gershwin, was played in a proudly Venetian key and performed in the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, between the 24 mighty columns of the main entrance hall and the upper floor, all charmingly decorated for the occasion, to a select and lucky audience of jet-setters and dream catchers who will be transported through the emotions of an amazing tale; that of the sinking city of Venice, rescued from the waters and reborn.
Shapes, colors, a refined environment, beautiful costumes, and shows involving more than 150 artists, these are some of the ingredients which contributed to the enchanting setting of the ‘Ballo del Doge’, establishing it as an unmissable annual event.
The masks worn at the Doge’s Ball have the power to show, through anonymity, the very essence of existence: every aspect of this event, conceived and curated by Antonia Sautter, such as her meticulous stage-management of the dancers, singers and aerial acrobats, her choice of flowers and music, even the sartorial works-of-art worn by the guests and performers form part of the human aspiration transformed into an artistic manifesto. The ultimate sense of such beauty is a passionate hymn to life and a powerful encouragement for the pursuit of happiness.
The rhapsody as envisioned by Sautter was articulated from three basic motifs or premises: Provocation, Redemption (intended as the desire to free ourselves from obstacles) and the Miracle of the reborn Venice, expressed through the emphasis of the beauty of the most glamorous carnival gala in the world