The mask that we are

We know how dangerous a mask can be. We all become what we pretend to be.

Patrick Rothfuss

Credit image: model Martina Sancini - body artist: Laura Giusti - Carrara, nov. 2025

The theme of masks is fascinating, because if you look closely, we are all, ultimately, actors on the stage of life. We all wear at least one mask, we all play our part, and in immersing ourselves in this performance, many lose sight of who the actor really is, losing touch with and sense of themselves. Many truly end up believing they are the mask; often, we don't realize that what we call identity, personality, character, tastes, beliefs, and so on, is often just a façade.

Playing these roles may serve some practical purposes, but life is another thing. Under the mask there is another, and then under yet another. Many of us even perform to ourselves, even privately in front of the mirror. Many are convinced, they believe it!

Nosce te ipsum, know thyself, was the inscription carved in stone at the entrance to the Temple of Apollo at Delphi. It's a difficult path, the most difficult, but probably the only one that makes sense.

In the meantime, let's dance in this crazy masquerade ball...