In ‘Microcosmos,’ Roberto de la Torre Pictures the Elaborate Masked Characters of Northern Spain’s Entroidos — Colossal



Craft
Photography

#costumes
#masks
#Roberto de la Torre
#seasons
#Spain

“Vellarron de Catrelo de Cima,” Galicia. All pictures © Roberto de la Torre, shared with permission

In Microcosmos, photographer Roberto de la Torre (previously) facilities his lens on the celebratory costumes of the entroido. Held broadly in his dwelling area of Galicia round Lent and the shift from winter to spring, entroidos are annual gastronomic carnivals wherein meals and dance are plentiful. Elaborate costumes and masks are important for participation, which de la Torre paperwork within the ongoing sequence.

Taken all through northern Spain and Portugal, the images seize the expressive, diverse designs made with feather-like husks, vibrant tufts of artificial supplies, and animal horns. Every costume is exclusive and tied to a particular function within the celebration. “A few of them are tough to painting due to their elusive character. Generally the individuals who put on them don’t want them to change into vacationer symbols and lose their ritual character, so they don’t wish to be photographed,” he tells Colossal.

The demonic “Chocalheiro de Bemposta,” for instance, has bulbous horns and a serpent-like creature on the shoulder and is from a small Portuguese village in Mogadouro known as Bemposta. It emerges twice yearly, making “an look the primary day of the yr and the day after Christmas in a really particular ritual for its motion by way of the village, visiting individuals and bowing within the homes the place a few of its inhabitants have lately died,” he explains.

De la Torre is at the moment engaged on a parallel sequence to Microcosmos that considers ritual and divinity. View extra of the costumes on the photographer’s Instagram, and discover prints in his shop.

“Follateiro de Lobios,” Galicia

“Chocalheiro de Bemposta,” Portugal

“Felos de Esgos,” Galicia

“Boteiro de Vlana do Bolo,” Galicia

“Feo de Bande,” Galicia

“Pantalla de Pinzo de Limia,” Galicia

#costumes
#masks
#Roberto de la Torre
#seasons
#Spain

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