RIMYTHE RIte, MYth and THEatre. Journey in the Oriental Mask

From China come the masks, the theatrical costumes of the Peking Opera, Chinese shadows, the festive headgear in the shape of a dragon and the little masks that reproduce the actors' make-up, which is an essential element in Chinese theatrical art because it accentuates the representation of the physiognomy and the moral portrait of the character.

India is represented by masks, Kathakali costumes, puppets. Kathakali, which translates literally as "telling stories", is a fascinating form of theatre and Indian classical dance which originated in Kerala (South India) in the seventeenth century. The exhibition also presents photographic documents and videos on Kutiyattam, one of the oldest forms of theatrical art still in existence.

Japan is represented by the masks of the Nò theatre and by photographic documentation of the collaboration of the Sartori with Hideo Kanze, an actor of the Nò theatre, and with the actor Nomura from the Kyogen theatre. Both belong to the age-old Japanese popular tradition: Kyogen is a comic form of theatre whereas Nò is a classical form that includes music and dance.

The exhibition also inaugurates a season of events and cultural activities that will continue throughout 2007 with the presentation of scholars, artists, theatrical meetings, performances for children, songs and music from Africa promoted by the Museum in collaboration with Centro Maschere e Strutture Gestuali and the Association Ossigeno Culturale.