The artist and masked Robertão

reflections on the categorization of art and the function of objects

Abstract

Cavalhada emerges as one of the most traditional celebrations in the city of Pirenópolis-GO, distinguished by the integration between religious reverence and the presence of the masked movement, a particularity of local culture. Masked people roam the city's streets, entertaining the public, arousing their curiosity with their ornate masks, especially those designed by artist Roberto Gonzaga Oliveira, which stand out compared to the others. These masks, in addition to their function as symbolic objects that carry with them a deep sense of collectivity within the pirenopolina community, encourage and lead discussions about human relationships and objects. In short, the artistic production of masks plays an essential role in the process of constructing the identity of those who create them, whether through engagement with otherness, or in the interpretation of their meanings.