The "Gaze" Says it All when Masks Come to Life!

Unleashing a Venetian costume mask's potential can be accomplished by nothing more than a stare or stance. All Venetian masks seem to have this quality.

Put on a Venetian costume mask and instantly it appears to be looking, watching or observing. The mask and its character come to life with the unforgettable "gaze". In order to master the "gaze" the wearer needs to let the mask's character dominate. Once a mask is put on, it is no longer just a thing. It comes to life and the wearer must allow it to BE. In order to sustain the 'gaze,' the wearer must assume a sort of tunnel vision by imagining the mask has just one eye and that eye is at the end of its nose.

When the 'gaze' has been achieved and you have it down pat, involve the rest of your body by bringing it into play and accentuating the mask's character. For instance, the body's neck can appear independent from the shoulders to create exaggerated movements of the head. The stare, or gaze, must be seen by the audience at all times, otherwise the fixation on the character and mask will be lost. Never bring your hands up to the mask or touch it; the hands are an extension of the character but should not interfere with the 'gaze.'

There are Venetian costume masks suitable and available for Halloween, Venice carnival celebrations, Mardi Gras, birthday parties, Easter, Christmas, or a fancy dress party. For example, it is not unheard of today for couples attending a black tie, tux and gown affair, to add that extra touch of a half faced Venetian costume mask to top off that just so....'us' ambiance. How wonderfully....gosh!

A mask begs to be animated, so remember:

1. Wear your mask,
2. Master the gaze, and
3. Allow it come to life!