Rainbow Figures, Photo by Zeny Cieslikowski, 2000

"Rainbow Figures" - Venice Photograph - zeny cieslikowskiUnited States, 2000Framed. Frame has mild damage. Retails for $340Dimensions:Frame 11.5” H x 14” LSight: 7” H x 9” LInfo from photographer about photo: I was very lucky to be in the Piazza San Marco just when the Rainbow Figures formed up for a few short minutes to make the color spectrum. I was able to take 6-7 quick pictures with my Nikon FM2 before they dissolved into a mass of material and colors.Every year, for about two weeks leading up to Easter, La Serenissima is inundated by throngs of visitors from all over the world wanting to revel in or just observe the celebrations. You might think of Carnevale as a big final party before Ash Wednesday, the restrictions of Lent and the more pious observances of Easter. Many believe that the word Carnevale is derived from the words ‘carne’ and ‘vale’ meaning away with meat.Carnevale was been officially sanctioned in Venice since 1296 and except for almost two centuries from 1798 when the Austrians, who controlled Venice, banned the celebration and the Fascists who outlawed it, Carnevale has thrived in Venice. It was revived in the 1980’s and has become an international festival of huge proportions.During Carnevale the streets of Venice are full of the people wearing masks which allowed them to protect their identity and remove any social differences. Besides, in the past, masks allowed a wearer hide his identity during licentious and dissolute activities.