"At a time when a significant part of humanity has been confined to limited spaces and has been forced to give up mobility, nature has moved forward to occupy the spaces we have taken from it. It has done so with its own cadence, barely appearing again, with its patient biological cycle. Can the concept of empathy be extended to the relationship with other species? Let's start with art and music. In a big theatre. Inviting nature." Eugenio Ampudia
At a time when Spain is beginning to cautiously emerge from a dramatic state of emergency, but with the pandemic reaching even more tragic peaks in other regions of the world, visual and conceptual artist Eugenio Ampudia has given us all a heart-warming gift, with his exemplary Concert for the Biocene.
On Monday 22nd June, one day after Barcelona's return to its new normality, a select audience of 2,292 plants had the exclusive opportunity to get moved to the sound of Giacomo Puccini's elegy Crisantemi, masterfully performed by the UceLi String Quartet at the Gran Teatre del Liceu. From the velvety seats in the hall the vegetal listeners were able to absorb the harmonies along with their photosynthesis, rewarding the musicians with a peculiar applause. And since the concert was streamed live and is still accessible on the web, its message has comforted the world, so eager for healing, relief and hope.
Eugenio Ampudia:
Concert for the Biocene
22 June 2020, 5 pm
Gran Teatre del Liceu de Barcelona
Artistic director: Víctor Garcia de Gomar
Curator: Blanca De La Torre
Executive production: Galería Max Estrella
Exhibition at Galería Max Estrella:
Reason is a Plant
10 September – 7 November 2020
More information about the artist:
eugenioampudia.net