Fists, Hearts, and Masks
I was thankful this week that "Lucha Libre: Stories with no Time Limit" by Orellana et al was so comprehensive, as primary forms of entertainment serve a multitude of functions within culture. The paper reiterates that increasingly where there is representation of Latin culture there is also an idealization of the heightened emotions that seizes the senses. Voices cheering, jeering, yelling from all sides of the arena give way to costumes, intricate backstories, and a fight that at some times feels like dancing. Something from the paper that struck my attention is that (correct me if I am wrong), the loser is unmasked by the winner of the fight. To me the mask eludes to superhuman strength and a mission larger than identity. The fan culture surrounding Lucha Libre is filled with idolization of both the wearer and creator of these masks. Packaging entertainment and creating specialized paraphernalia for both various market age groups as well as for international/local audienc...