Antonia Sautter’s “Carnival Obsession” – the title chosen by the Venetian event creator and costume designer for the 31st edition of Il Ballo del Doge – was staged on Saturday, February 10, 2024, in the setting of the Scuola Grande della Misericordia, confirming itself as the most magnificent, imaginative and sought-after social event of the Venetian Carnival.
“A great artist, a woman of extraordinary imagination, who managed to create an event unique in the world,” Italian showgirl Alba Parietti paid tribute to Antonia Sautter in front of over 500 international guests, all dressed in sumptuous period costumes.
Other VIPs present at the lavish party included fashion Italian entrepreneur Elisabetta Franchi-Marie Antoinette and actress Violante Placido. In the guise of Casanova, contemporary artist Anish Kapoor said he was enchanted by the distinctive interior decor inspired by the refined Venetian iconography of the first-floor salon where the gala dinner was held, enlivened by a show involving over 100 artists from all over the world.
Air-Dynamic was honored to be a premium partner of the 31st edition of Il Ballo del Doge and is delighted to have contributed to its success.
On the ground floor, the scenography played with more dreamlike settings and the chessboard theme, an element matching the original sartorial creation worn by Antonia Sautter, a very elegant Cruella de Vil. Protagonists of the artistic performances of the surprising Welcome-show were two refined aesthetic canons of the carnival: the mask – protagonist of a hypnotic and intriguing dance carousel – and ‘La Stanza dei Pulcinella” painted by Giandomenico Tiepolo, animated by some twenty energetic Pulcinellas, some of them acrobats. The welcome show culminated with a rousing rendition of The Queen classic – We will rock you – marking the first change of pace, also in colour, of the evening.
The sumptuous banquet was served in a blaze of floral decorations and shades of forest green in the first-floor lounge, accompanied by a show that alternated a great classic of the musical comedies – Be Our Guest – with poetic solos by international artists. The eight courses were accompanied by Lurisia mineral water, red wines from the Conte d’Attimis-Maniago and donne Fittipaldi, and champagne from Hatt et Söner. The eight-tiered cake, created by cake designer Renato Ardovino, was the occasion to wish the hostess, Antonia Sautter, a happy birthday –
“I admit that I am obsessed with the aesthetics of carnival, it must be that I was born in Venice in February!” – told to the international press Antonia Sautter “however, I am certain that art, beauty and creativity – my ABC for Il Ballo del Doge – have the great power to spread the joy and the kindness we all need. Carnival is an art, the art of joy.”
The organizers of Il Ballo del Doge would like to thank their premium partners for their invaluable contribution to the event: ACADEMIA BSI MILANO, AIR-DYNAMIC and JUSBOX perfumes for contributing to the making of Carnival Obsession.
Carnival Obsession highlights are posted on Il Ballo del Doge’s Instagram profile and on the website ilballodeldoge.com. Follow @ilballodeldoge #carnivalobsession
