On the first day after the state of alarm instituted due to the pandemic ends, the Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona reopens its doors, but it does so for an unusual audience. Conceptual artist Eugenio Ampudia prepared an original, unique and different concert, in which the 2,292 seats of the auditorium were occupied on this occasion by plants. It was broadcast live online, with the UceLi Quartet string quartet performing Puccini’s “Crisantemi” for this verdant public, brought in from local nurseries.
After a strange, painful period, the creator, the Liceu’s artistic director and the curator Blanca de la Torre offer us a different perspective for our return to activity, a perspective that brings us closer to something as essential as our relationship with nature. After the concert, the plants are donated with a certificate from the artist to 2,292 people who have been on the healthcare frontlines, the toughest front in a battle unprecedented for our generations, in recognition of their work. As a part of the artistic action, during the concert Eugenio Ampudia produced pictures and a video of the performance. Both will be part of the Contemporary Art Collection of “la Caixa”.
The concert is an initiative from the Liceu, the artist and Max Estrella gallery. The Project is possible thanks to the sponsors of la Fundació “la Caixa”, DKV Seguros, Airpharm Logistics, Fundació Lluís Coromina and Cuatrecasas.
The Liceu, one of the largest and most important opera halls in the world, thus welcomes and leads a highly symbolic act that defends the value of art, music and nature as a letter of introduction to our return to activity. This dialogue between the Teatre and the visual arts gives continuity to the artistic Liceu de les Arts project being implemented by Víctor Garcia de Gomar and will also be the prelude to the 2020/21 season, full of synergies and encounters between artistic disciplines.
For more information:
www.liceubarcelona.cat