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Interview radio : Robin Summa, Italian mask maker - Insitu
- SumMaSk
- May 5, 2019
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 12
Accompanied by Marie-Ève from Libreria Stendhal, InSitu went to meet Robin Summa, a mask sculptor and teacher who had just moved into his new Neapolitan workshop.
Robin grew up in a family with a strong interest in the theatre. From 2015, he took over the work of his father Pierangelo Summa, who passed on to him, before his death, the art of creating and sculpting masks for theatre and live performance. A specialist in Commedia dell'Arte masks, and continuing in the spirit instilled in him by his father, he sees the mask as both an art object and a living popular object. The mask contains within it a story, but it is also charged with the relationship that the actor has with himself and with ‘the other’, the audience, and more broadly with society : it does not hide, it reveals.
Robin Summa: The Voice of Neapolitan Artisan Tradition on Insitu Radio
In this interview Robin Summa, son of Pierangelo Summa, founder of Maschere Summa, takes time to talk about his father’s past, the way he kept alive his legacy by coming back to Napoli to restore the family shop that holds a very cultural history and how he learned the fundamentals of craftmanship by imitating his father.
Maschere Summa: A Unique Workshop in Naples
Located in the historic center of Naples, Maschere Summa is more than a shop—it is a true artisan workshop where each mask is handcrafted using traditional techniques. Robin works passionately, molding, sculpting, and painting each piece with care.
The masks feature iconic characters from commedia dell’arte, such as Arlecchino, Pulcinella, Pantalone, and Colombina. Every creation is unique, made with high-quality leather, and designed to reflect the distinct forms and expressions of classic Italian theatre.
La commedia dell’arte explained through Robin Summa’s words
Throughout the interview, Insitu and Mari-Eve asked a lot about the origins of this italian genre founded in the 16th century, the way it is supposed to be played and the different characters. Robin answers precisely their questions and explains them with passion the whole foundation of it, how each mask is so representative of a specific character. He tells the story of a friend of his who knew nothing about the genre, but who started intuitively playing the character perfectly just by trying its mask on. He then proceeds to introduce and describe with great details some mains characters like Harlequin, Pulcinella and the Captain
If you’re visiting Naples, don’t miss the chance to stop by Robin’s workshop. And for traditional craft lovers around the globe, Maschere Summa’s online store offers access to these one-of-a-kind creations—each one a piece of history and culture.
