Carmen’s Legacy and its Premiere
Following the failure of its first performance on March 3, 1875 at the Opéra-Comique in Paris, Georges Bizet died without knowing that his work ‘Carmen’, inspired by the novel of the same name by Prosper Mérimée, would become a milestone. in the world of sheet music. Today, this creation resonates in various versions and is presented in some of the most prestigious theaters globally.
The Wu Tsang Installation
The installation titled ‘The Great Lie of Death’, designed by the artist Wu Tsang for the Capella MACBA, investigates the poetic elements present in Carmen, as well as the relationship of the myth with flamenco and bullfighting. This project is presented as a paradox: it is a ritual representation of death based on a classic work, that is, on a true intangible legacy.
A Unique Cinematographic Proposal
The film created by Tsang, which stars Rocío Molina, José ‘El Oruco’, Yinka Esi Graves, Tosh Basco, and Vanessa Montoya, uses immersive sound through a multichannel system to evoke an atmosphere of terror, although it is distance itself from this as we delve deeper into the myth, opening up alternatives to escape this fate. The subalternities in the play, which involve issues of gender, coloniality, race, class, and criminality, strip Carmen of a concrete identity and fuel the notion that the only way to achieve freedom is through a tragic end.
Wu Tsang’s Perspective on Carmen
For years, the American artist has explored cooperation and performance as tools to investigate the violence inherent to cinema, as well as the narrative process. ‘Every time she dies, she is reborn in another way’ is the only phrase heard in the film and summarizes Tsang’s proposal to redefine the figure of Carmen. Its creation represents various facets, being mainly an exercise in writing and literature. Rosa Ferré, co-director of TBA21 Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary and co-producer of the exhibition, has stated that the title was not chosen at random.
Who is Wu Tsang?
Wu Tsang, originally from Worcester, Massachusetts, was born in 1982 and is renowned for her work as a filmmaker and visual artist, having received numerous awards and recognitions. Her work spans a variety of genres and formats, including narrative films, documentaries, live performances and video installations. ‘The Great Lie of Death’ was developed in collaboration with the Independent Platform for Modern and Contemporary Flemish Studies, as well as Moved by the Motion, Tsang’s current collaborative company.
Featured Dates and Events
This screening will be shown at the Capella MACBA until November 3. Additionally, as part of this year’s GREC Festival in Barcelona, a live flamenco improvisation will take place on Thursday, July 25, starring dancer Yinka Esi Graves and accompanied on drums by Remi Graves. For more information, it is recommended to consult the official event page.
