Step into Ca' Macana's workshop in 2026, and you'll find artisan Davide Belloni molding papier-mâché into timeless Venetian masks – a craft that's survived empires, pandemics, and TikTok trends. Once tools for social anonymity during Venice's 18th-century heyday, these intricate creations now symbolize artistic freedom, blending Byzantine motifs with cyberpunk flair. 🔥
'Masks let people become whoever they want – just like Instagram filters, but with 400 years of heritage,' Belloni tells us, carving floral patterns onto a Bauta design. From Carnival-goers to K-pop stars sporting them in music videos, these hand-sculpted pieces connect Gen Z to Venice's legacy as a cultural crossroads. 🛶💫
