Wernhout - Mascherata

Is Wernhout showing its true face?

How does it affect you if someone shows two opposing sides? Have you ever wondered if someone is showing his true face? And which is the true face? The slogan for this design is: “The biggest show is the best place to hide.”

“A design by the whole neighbourhood and not just by us”, that is how the four designers describe the process of developing an idea into a design. They found each other through prior collaborations and friendship. A first theme was found quickly: a harlequin combined with fear. This idea took increasingly more shape until the foursome arrived at the following: what if someone takes of his mask? They received help from several neighbours to get to this point.

The foursome explains that the masks and the theatre on the float are inspired by commedia dell’arte, a form of Italian improv theatre. On several stages on the float we can see couples hiding behind masks that are based on characters from the commedia. The audience members don’t have to be theatre experts and are obviously welcome to use their own interpretations. The huge harlequin on the float will also show its true face. Accompanied by music it will play the audience with its mask. Through movements it works towards a turning point. Large as well as small movements will change the front view of the float, which might provide an unpleasant feeling. The float will mostly be covered by dahlias but there will also be some alternative materials to create a golden and glimmering effect.

Wernhout faces a nice challenge. They once again have a float with extras on it, which always places heavy demands on the people in the neighbourhood, so there is plenty of work for everyone. The designers are entering construction season full of confidence. Corsief is curious whether the audience members are triggered into taking off their masks more often when they see the float going down the streets.

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Bregje Huijbregts (24), elementary school teacher, second design. Jennifer van de Wouw (23), psychologist, first design. Marc van Opstal (41), metal assembly worker, first design. Ronald van der Laag (51), real estate manager, fourth design.

Original Dutch Text: Mary Damen
Translation: Bas Booij
Photo: José van Trijp Fotografie 

Hamlet Wernhout
www.buurtschapwernhout.nl

This article is brought to you by Corsief. An independent magazine about corsos in general and the Zundert flower parade in particular. The magazine is produced entirely by volunteers, who are all more or less active in the Zundert flower parade world. Corsief is entirely full-colour and appears four times a year.