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Ca Macana: a recovered tradition
(from "Maschere a Venezia")

Ca' Macana is one of the oldest studios in Venice. We started working on masks at the beginning of the 1980s, when, after two centuries of inactivity, the Venice Carnival was revived. At the time we were achitecture students in the city and, partly out of necessity and partly for fun, we tried creating the first models and selling them in the squares and along the alleys. These were only attempts at mask making, since nobody really knew what materials to use or what techniques to adopt.

Masks in Venice once had enormous significance in social relations, to such an extent that in some cases they were made compulsory by law, and over the centuries masks makers had considerably refined their art. But, with the fall of the Venetian Republic at the end of the 18th century, the use and tradition of masks gradually began to decline, until they disappeared altogether. At that time, hardly anything of this tradition remained in the culture and collective conscience of the Venetian people, and only slight traces could be found in obscure volumes buried in the libraries. It was a real adventure to create the first models, to revive an ancient craft and transform a bit of fun into a proper job, a job which for us today is the best job in the world! Just as fascinating was rediscovering the meaning and history of the antique masks. So many things to find out, and so amazing too! Our work has evolved and diversified over time, crossing the boundaries into scenery design and interior decoration, and promoting everything connected with masks, their history and craft. Our courses are very well attended and, as well as teaching all the principal theories and practices, leave a lot of room for creative expression. For a number of years now we have worked alongside travel agencies the world over which, through our intensive mask-making and painting courses, can offer their clients an enjoyable and culturally gratifying break.

Major contributions

1991	Contributions for stage set	Teatro Stabile del Veneto "C.Goldoni" "L'Augellino Belverde" of C:Gozzi directed by A. Momo teatro 7 company
1997	Masks for live productions	Vienna Statw Opera "Orfeo" directed by R. Bletschacher, costumes designed by F. Danielis
1997	Contributions for film sets	"The Wings Of The Dove" directed by I.Softley with C. Rampling, L. Roache and H. Bonham Carter
1998	Masks for live productions	"Wolfgang Amade" ballet choreographed and staged by R.Zanella, soloist V.Malakhov
1999	Mask for films	"Eyes Wide Shut" directed by S. Kubrik with T. Cruise and N. Kidman