While known for their exquisite detail and beauty, Venetian masks are also grand symbols of history. The art of Venetian mask-making dates back to the 13th century. For hundreds of years, aristocrats wore these masks to protect their identities while engaging in behaviors that could have tarnished their reputation, like gambling and frequenting bars.
Nowadays, Venetian masks are worn by those attending Venice’s world-renowned Carnival, an annual celebration synonymous with elaborate masks and costumes that attracts close to three million visitors each year.
In 2001, Disney decided to bring traditional Venetian mask-making to Orlando, and it sought out authentic Venetian mask-makers for a short-term contract at its Italy Pavilion in the EPCOT theme park. Twenty-two years later, Balocoloc has become a permanent fixture there, and many of its patrons have become collectors of the company’s exquisite masks.
“Disney wanted to have an artisan in EPCOT making masks,” explains Giorgio Lurcotta, who heads up Balocoloc’s Florida operation. “My parents flew over from Italy to have a conversation with them. We decided to do a test for six months, and that was it. We’ve been here ever since.”
Balocoloc was originally founded in Venice by a group of young artisans in 1978 to make wooden frames, necklaces, and other crafts. But when the famous Carnival returned to Venice in 1979 after a 200-year ban by the Holy Roman Emperor Francis II, like many other artisans in the city, Balocoloc turned its focus to mask-making.
“All of the artisans with skills started making masks at that point,” confirms Lurcotta.
When Balocoloc’s original founders decided to close the company, Lurcotta’s mother took over and expanded the product line to include capes, hats, and dresses from the 13th and 14th centuries. Since then, Balocoloc has been a family affair.
When Lurcotta and his brother Flavio first arrived at EPCOT in 2001, they hand-made all of the masks, which are created of papier-mâché, at the shop. It’s a lengthy process that requires precision and patience.
“We first have to mold clay to create the face we want to become a mask,” explains Lurcotta. “Once we have the shape done, we pour plaster on top of it to create a mold. When the plaster dries, we take the clay out and have a mold. From that mold, we have wet paper with glue that we put inside the mold. Once the paper dries, you can pull it out of the mold, and at that point you have a mask.”
After it comes out of the mold, the mask still needs to be sanded, painted, resanded, and have its edges capped before it’s ready for the paint, bells, feathers, and other elaborate decorations Venetian masks are known for. This finishing process takes an additional two to three days to complete.
While Lurcotta still does customization work here, almost all of Balocoloc’s masks are now imported from its shop in Venice, where production time is much faster. “There’s so many designs in Venice,” says Lurcotta. “We try to bring to America all the best that we can make.”
Balocoloc has close to 800 different models of masks in its collection, which can range from $50 for a simple eye mask to $1,200 for an elaborate piece. Lurcotta keeps about 100-150 masks in stock at the company’s store in EPCOT, La Gemma Elegante, at all times. “No two masks are the same,” he says of these handmade creations. “They’re all one of a kind.”
For those who are “in the know,” Balocoloc also has a special collection of macabre masks not on display. “We call them the scary masks,” says Lurcotta. “We have them all year long, but during Halloween we pull them out.”
One of the artists who makes these scary masks is Lurcotta’s cousin, Mauro. “His style is completely different. It’s good for Halloween,” affirms Lurcotta. “The way that he makes masks, they’re so unique. He always writes a story behind them based on how he felt during that day. It’s different than the other artists who are following a pattern.”
Though popular, these scary masks are not typical of Venice’s Carnival. “Carnival is the celebration before Lent, so everyone’s celebrating with dancing, eating, and having fun. The masks represent that moment. They’re very happy, colorful masks,” says Lurcotta, who prefers to keep these happier masks on display.
If you aren’t going to be up in Orlando anytime soon, you can catch a glimpse of Balocoloc masks at the Wiener Museum of Decorative Arts, which recently relocated to 3250 N. 29th Ave. in Hollywood. Though currently closed, the museum plans to reopen by early November.
For more information about Balocoloc, visit www.balocoloc.com.