What themes does Rio de Janeiro's carnival explore visually?

Rio de Janeiro's carnival visually explores themes of power, contrasting wealth with poverty and joyful abandon with hard labor.

How are authority figures represented in Rio's carnival costumes?

Costumes such as racy nuns and sexy police officers are common, playfully subverting and reconsidering traditional authority figures.

What role does street theatre play in Rio's carnival?

Street theatre and play during carnival allow for a subversive reinterpretation of authority figures and a reconsideration of power.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Rio's Carnival: Subversion in Costume

Rio's Carnival: Subversion in Costume

18 Feb

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Summary

Carnival contrasts wealth with poverty and joy with labor.
Costumes like nuns and police subvert traditional authority figures.
Street theatre and play allow for reconsideration of power.

Rio de Janeiro's carnival is a spectacle of contrasts, artfully blending elements of wealth and poverty, joyful abandon and diligent labor. A central theme explored through its visual expression is the notion of power. In Brazil, a nation with the world's largest Catholic population, the carnival grounds are awash with racy nun costumes.

Alongside these, revellers don sexy police outfits, highlighting carnival's inherent subversive nature. These costumes reinterpret authority figures, softening them and turning them on their heads. Through street theatre and playful improvisation, carnival allows for a unique reconsideration of established power structures.

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