• 
• 

Published on March 8, 2008

His masks have appeared in films by Stanley Kubrick and Franco Zeffirelli, and examples of his work can be seen in Venice, Moscow and Paris.

Now Bangkokians can admire the artistry of Guerrino Lovato, whose papier-mache masks are on display at Central Chidlom until tomorrow.

Lovato, 50, has earned a reputation for fine craftsmanship. His commissions include a six-metre-high plaster statue of Jesus in the classic Michelangelo style for the Vatican and the sculptural decorations introduced during renovations at Moscow's Kremlim Palace, commissioned by the late Boris Yeltsin.

Lovato was also behind for the clay models for the sculptures at Venice's La Fenice theatre and the Crib of Venice for Paris, an impressive 25-metre-tall work complete with mechanical automation and a voice-over by Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni.

In 2004, on behalf of the Palazzo Grassi museum in Venice, Lovato executed four sculptures in resin and glass, reproducing one of Salvador Dali's famous paintings for an anthologic exhibition of surrealism's Spanish master.

He has organised many editions of the Carnival of Venice, and also heads a traditional association whose goal is to preserve the Venetian tradition.

The mask maker, who grew up in a farming family, says he became interested in art and the theatre as a child.

"I've always worked with the land. As a kid I would collect clay and make small statues," says Lovato, who studied at Venice's Academy of Fine Arts.

Today he welcomes professionals from the theatre, opera and film world to his mask-making workshops.

"The mask is a combination of art and theatre. It cannot speak, of course, but I give each one a very strong personality, and it communicate its magic when it comes to the theatre, doubling the power of the performer," he says.

Film buffs will remember Lovato's masks from Stanley Kubrick's 1999 drama "Eyes Wide Shut", starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman.

Working with Kubrick, says Lavato, was full of surprises. "When the director and his set designer came to my shop they didn't even have a title for the movie, but they bought a lot of masks. It turned out to be fascinating. They even modelled a scene after my shop and made the shopkeeper look like me!" he laughs.

His favourite artwork is the model of Jesus, which he made at the request of the late Pope John Paul II. "This is the biggest sculpture I've ever made. I felt as if I had stepped into a Renaissance class. The statue is placed in such a way that Christ's hair has to fall forward. It's a very strong image."

Lovato is also grateful for having been given the opportunity to contribute towards the history of Venice by helping to reconstruct La Fenice after it was badly damaged by fire.

And he says he was astonished by the commission from the Kremlin Palace.

"The room had to look exactly as it had during the reign of the tsars  - and be completed within 18 months.

"I created all the statues for the ceiling, producing them in Italy for shipment to Russia. The hall is now used by the president to welcome ambassadors and heads of state. When I see it on television I feel very proud."

Lavato is currently taking a break from commissions to work on his own projects. "This is my first visit to Thailand and I'm really interested in seeing and mastering the art of Thai mask making," he smiles.

Kupluthai Pungkanon

The Nation