Mardi Gras Krewes, no. 1 1993

Nancy Andrews captured this photograph, ‘Mardi Gras Krewes, no. 1,’ freezing a moment of exuberant revelry. The figures are adorned with the regalia of carnival—crowns, feathers, and ornate costumes. These symbols, rooted in traditions that stretch back to ancient festivals of fertility and renewal, speak of a world turned upside down, a temporary escape from societal norms. The crown, worn here with such theatrical flair, echoes the laurel wreaths of antiquity, a symbol of triumph and authority. Yet, within the context of Mardi Gras, it is playfully subverted, democratized. The carnival's feathers, like those worn by ancient priests, evoke a connection to the divine, to realms beyond our everyday experience. These motifs, passed down through generations, have been reinterpreted and reimagined, each iteration adding layers of meaning. The collective memory embedded in these symbols bursts forth during carnival, an eruption of the subconscious where social hierarchies are inverted, and identities are fluid. It’s a powerful reminder of how symbols transcend time.