Leonardo da Vinci and Mona Lisa
The idea of a troupe of very tall stilt dancing canolis was met with an unmistakable scowl of rejection, so Geppetto shrugged and headed back out into the always raging brainstorm. Probably just as well, since what emerged from that storm stands as one of Geppetto’s best examples to date of his ability to creatively match event themes.
Leonard da Vinci and Mona Lisa are larger than life puppets commissioned by the Kingston New York’s Rondout Business Association for their first annual Italian Festival held in September 2007.
Referencing recollections and reproductions of the original Mona Lisa painting and Leonardo’s self-portrait paintings, new papier mache heads were created. The faces were given depth, volume and form by use of an adapted renaissance technique called sfumato, and the heads were finished with custom fabricated theatrical wigs. Detailed costumes were made with some help from fabric artist Jill Gibbons, one of the Mortal Beasts & Deities’ most supportive costume seamsters, and an old gold picture frame leaning in the back of a closet was dusted off, restored and adapted to complete the scene.
What Italian Festival would be complete without some recognition for Italy’s contribution of renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci, and without celebrating one of his many accomplishments, the creation of the world’s most famous painting?
The puppet duo’s debut performance was two days of wandering walk-about and periodic posing and was remarkably well received by the thick crowds in Kingston’s historic waterfront district.
Most in attendance recognized da Vinci and Mona Lisa from a distance and were eager to share Mona jokes and whatever snippets of art history trivia they could recall from high school.
Many rushed into Mona’s frame to pose for pictures with the famous Italians. Right now there are probably hundreds of screen savers flashing and family photo albums stuffed with pictures of the great time people had at the festival, just the kind of memory prompts all promoters want attendees to take home with them.
Why is Mona laughing?
- Well, she’s laughing at becoming famous way before the arrival of the first paparazzi.
- She’s laughing because she finally figured out the punch line of an off color joke.
- She’s laughing at the absurd idea that some say she’s really Leonardo’s self-portrait.
- She’s laughing because some have proposed that she’s Mary Magdalene.
- But mostly, she’s laughing because while many are puzzled, she knows the true meaning of her famous smile, but isn’t talking.
Since the Italian Festival, Leonardo da Vinci and Mona Lisa have been to a few private affairs, and they’re anxious for more invitations in the future.
