At the Jacquemart-Andre Museum in Paris those interested in the Chinese religious rites have the unique chance of seeing more than a hundred antique masks, dating from the 16 - 18th century, part of one of the most varied private collections of the genre. It is truly a journey into the heart of strange Chinese rituals, as these masks were used mainly in exorcist rituals. The world of Chinese religious rites was rich and diverse, and the masks exhibited at the Jacquemart-Andre Museum were believed to have enigmatic powers, being worn in processions, dances, theatrical performances, following to the letter the Nuo traditions, thousands of years old.
In short, Nuo means literally exorcism, driving demons and evil spirits away from a house or community, and this kind of ceremonies have been used in the Chinese provinces since Prehistoric times. The Nuo tradition fascinates western audiences, as it offers a way for a Westerner to journey into the very heart of Chinese thought, and the exhibition at the Parisian museum is a rare occasion of seeing first-hand Nuo masks, an opportunity that is not to be missed.
July 2007
