An unexpected discovery
Almost ten years ago, a trip to a second -hand bookstore changed the life of the poet Oriol Sauleda. Among the dusty pages, he discovered ‘The Playground Bell’, an unknown poem that was signing Adam Johnson, a young poet who lost his life due to AIDS at the age of 28. The finding opened a door to a lost generation, marked by the tragedy and anguish of mortality.
The echo of forgotten lives
Sauleda reflected on Johnson’s legacy, seeing him as a reflection of the aspirations and dreams of young people who saw his shortened existence brutally. “Collective events, such as pandemics and wars, leave a deep imprint,” says Sauleda. ‘Many of these deaths were forgotten, and AIDS, in particular, was a pandemic that was stigmatized and silenced.’
A voice that inspires
Through the verses of Johnson, Sauleda found a ‘friend soul’ that has guided him during the years. ‘His poems emanated a vital force that resonated with my own experience of life and death,’ he confesses. ‘I realized that every moment counts, and that you have to live fully, without fear.’
A tribute to art and life
With the aim of paying tribute to Johnson, Sauleda will present ‘Adamar Johnson’, a show that will take place on April 24 at the Palau de la Música Catalana. Together with artists Marcel·lí Bayer and Lulú Martorell, Sauleda explores improvisation as a tool to translate Johnson’s poems on stage, creating an immediate dialogue with the audience.
Improvisation and poetic tradition
The use of improvisation allows artists to connect with the mystery of creation, an aspect that Sauleda considers essential. ‘We will translate the texts in real time, accepting the imperfections that this entails, because this is how you really live,’ he says.
The message of ‘The Playground Bell’
The title of Johnson’s poem symbolizes the inevitability of death, which is presented as a bell that sounds in the most unexpected moments. Johnson asks about the price of his life, writing from a perspective of loss and hope. Sauleda emphasizes that, despite the tragic context, there is a message of optimism in his words: ‘Each page encourages us to express ourselves, to live intensely.’
Creation in times of sadness
Many artists who have lived with HIV have created significant works in their last years, taking advantage of each moment with a creative urgency. “When they are informed that time is limited, they are often launched with a renewed passion,” says Sauleda.
A love that endures
The title of the show, ‘Adamar’, evokes an intense love that remains alive despite the loss. “If someone you love is leaving, love becomes a passport that allows you to live,” reflects Sauleda, emphasizing the importance of remembering and honoring those who have split.
A Future for Memory
With this show, Sauleda and his colleagues seek not only to celebrate Johnson’s life, but also to raise awareness of the lives that have remained in the shade. The impact of his works endures, reminding us that each voice counts and deserves to be heard.