Mardi Gras Krewes, no. 2 1993

Nancy Andrews made this photograph, Mardi Gras Krewes, no. 2, using black and white film. The composition immediately draws us into the revelry through its close framing and dynamic expressions. The textures range from the shiny fabric of the costumes to the rougher skin, all rendered in stark monochrome that amplifies the tactile quality of the image. Andrews uses the contrast between light and shadow to emphasize the emotional intensity of the scene. Note how the faces are lit, highlighting the expressions of joy and exuberance, which suggests a moment of collective effervescence. Semiotically, each element—costumes, expressions, gestures—functions as a signifier within the larger cultural code of Mardi Gras. These are not just random aesthetic choices; they represent deep-seated social rituals. The rawness of the black and white medium strips away the distraction of color to focus on form and expression. Andrews invites us to decode these signs and, by doing so, reconsider how we perceive cultural rituals and their place within the social fabric.