THOC Roadshow Testimonial: Artistic Journey to Barcelona, Spain

Ioli Kaskani’s Testimonial

“In November 2024, I traveled to Barcelona from the 11th to the 16th to visit Espronceda: Institute of Arts & Culture. On November 13th, we visited Espronceda’s studios, where Alessia Gervasone warmly welcomed us. Alessia guided us through the premises, including the residents’ accommodation area and the performance studio, and provided an overview of the institute’s various programs and events. During the visit, we also had the opportunity to meet the directors and dancers of the Roadshow performance, gaining valuable insight into their creative process. Later that evening, Alessia and the artists invited us to the opening of the Loop Film Festival at the Museu de la Música de Barcelona. There, we enjoyed the screening of a short film and a live music performance, which were very inspiring! The Roadshow performance, ‘Cuerpos Errantes’, was held on November 15th. The installation featured two distinct film screenings, integrated with a live performance. The inspiration for the works was drawn from the aquatic organism known as ‘plankton’. The word ‘plankton’ originates from Greek and it translates to ‘wandered’, which inspired the title ‘Cuerpos Errantes’, translating to wandering bodies.

One of the films was projected onto a wall, with the accompanying music available through headphones provided to the audience. While wearing the headphones, the artists encouraged us to dance to the music, drawing inspiration from the film- I really enjoyed this interactive aspect of the installation. Additionally, what stood out for me during the performance was the use of props and costume. Alongside the movement, these visual elements brought the performance to life, creating an immersive atmosphere. Overall, I was fascinated by the creative use of various mediums, which added layers to the installation. The combination of film, live performance, and interactive elements created a multisensory experience that invited the audience to actively participate rather than passively observe.

I would definitely recommend this project to fellow artists, as it provides a unique and enriching opportunity to meet, connect and draw inspiration from other creatives from different countries. Participating in this project fosters not only artistic growth but also the chance to build connections within a vibrant and diverse creative community.”

Antrea Lazaridou’s Testimonial

“I got the chance to visit Barcelona, Spain, from November 11–16, 2024, as part of the theatre roadshow. The National Theatre of Cyprus (THOC) was the cooperating organisation, and Espronceda Institute of Art and Culture served as the representative. Barcelona is renowned for its creative qualities, which is why I think it was a great choice. Barcelona is artistically ornamented in every nook and cranny, and the buildings’ architecture is creative and vibrant. There are numerous galleries, museums, and performances that you could go to. We made an effort to see as much as we could in the time we had available.

Beginning with the city’s museums, we visited the MOCO Museum to view some contemporary feminine art that depicted women’s nature and social status through paintings, sculptures, statues, and several other creative ways that artists might portray women’s place in a patriarchal culture. Barcelona’s MACBA institution of Contemporary Art was the second museum we went to. It was fascinating because, although both MOCO and MACBA are modern museums, they had rather distinct viewpoints on the artwork they displayed. For instance, the MACBA Museum had more sculptures and more visual art displayed on screens. MACBA and MOCO shared a same theme regarding women’s roles in society. But MACBA also had more topics to cover, such as human rights, architecture, immigration, and Latino Americans and their culture.

The Javier Martin performance we saw, however, was the one that stayed with me and greatly influenced my decision to make my own tiny physical theatre performances. An outstanding physical theatre and dancer who performed his solo work, “FIGURAS DEL UMBRAL.” A piece that every artist should see. Seeing it was incredibly motivating and captivating. We saw the performance that the Espronceda Institute of Art and Culture had prepared on November 15. It was referred to as “Cuerpos Errantes.” It was a tangible work that described a group of organisms that were drifting aimlessly. They play a crucial function in aquatic environments, particularly marine habitats, where they aid in the creation of clouds, the absorption of carbon, and the production of oxygen. The artist’s intention with this piece was to make the “invisible visible” and investigate the relationship between the human and non- human worlds through various performative audiovisual representations.

I found Spanish culture to be quite interesting. How lovely Barcelona is, and how welcoming they are. Barcelona has an abundance of unadulterated art that is devoid of commercialism. Barcelona is a destination for sincere artists who truly want to appreciate the essence of art rather than money, commercial theatre, or art. Honestly, it’s one of the most stunning places I’ve ever been, and every little alleyway was exquisite and artsy. I would suggest this project since it allows you to study art throughout the world and meet a lot of great people. Every nation has its own unique style of art, and if you want to feel like you’ve been inspired and are a complete artist, I suggest this endeavour. It was an incredible experience, and I will definitely take part if I ever get the chance to do it again.“