I thought I would shake things up a bit and use a New York Times “Op-Doc” and pair it with the masked revellers from the Venice Carnevale, as both a play on “baby doll” plastic faces and a juxtaposition between two cultures. It’s important to understand that, according to the locals, Venetians aren’t really into Carnevale. To them, it is a tourist trap, a way to lure in the French who, unfortunately, somewhere along the way, seem to have lost their Mardi Gras.

It’s a pity, because it is such a great, open occasion for everyone to participate and build a real community. As I’ve begun to stress here, New Orleans Carnival is woven deeply into the fabric of the city’s social life, becoming a repository for all kinds of celebrations that would otherwise lack coherence or even a reason to be held. I will note this again when I bring up the subject of the Debutante Balls.

I also want to note a phenomenon here that I think is one of the most remarkable and delightful aspects of human nature and society: the gorgeous will and imagination that is the fount of marginalised communities to create and nurture their own traditions and celebrations. The Creole African culture of the Mardi Gras Indians, the response here of marginalised women as Baby Dolls, Ballroom Culture, Wigstock, Punk Rock, the Beats, Blues, Jazz, all of these came out of marginalised communities who were denied participation in the dominant culture and yet came to influence that culture in profound and lasting ways. I think it’s fascinating and rich and a source of great hope.

Venezia : Piazza San Marco : 23 – 27 February 2017