LA SAGRADA FAMILIA (THE SACRED FAMILY)
What lies beneath the surface of what we think we see?
La Sagrada Familia delves into the complexities of perception, challenging audiences to question the truths they hold. Drawing inspiration from the visual illusions of iconic artists like Picasso, Escher, Giuseppe Arcimboldo, and Octavio Ocampo, this piece transforms the stage into a dynamic, living canvas where the dancers' bodies morph into shifting forms that reveal hidden meanings. At its core, La Sagrada Familia interrogates what is real and what is masked by illusion, exploring the tension between appearance and deeper truths.
A significant inspiration for this work is La Semana Santa Española (Spanish Holy Week), a profound cultural and religious event celebrated during Easter. This celebration, which takes place in various Spanish towns and cities, is renowned for its elaborate processions, religious iconography, and deeply rooted traditions that convey symbolic narratives. The rituals, costumes, and performances of Semana Santa provided D2 Danza with a framework for exploring how history, religion, and tradition intersect with personal and collective identity. Through La Sagrada Familia, Bea and Pablo Delgado honor this important aspect of Spanish culture, weaving its sacred symbols and emotional depth into the fabric of the piece.
Additionally, the work is influenced by Spanish Baroque and Renaissance traditions, where the play between light and shadow, form and abstraction, was used to convey complex human emotions and divine truths. By drawing on the visual language of La Semana Santa and the theatricality of its processions, the dancers’ bodies become living sculptures, pushing the boundaries of what is seen and felt.
Grounded in Gestalt psychology’s concept of “double vision,” where the same image can be interpreted in multiple ways depending on perspective, the piece invites viewers to experience the same form differently each time. The audience is taken on a journey where what is initially perceived as one thing becomes something else as the dancers continuously transform, offering new insights and meanings.
This production serves as a celebration of Spanish heritage, not only in the form of La Semana Santa but also through the broader cultural narrative of faith, identity, and transformation. Through intricate movement and symbolic imagery, La Sagrada Familia reflects on how tradition shapes perception, beliefs, and the way we experience the world.
Production Team:
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Company: D2 Danza
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Dancers: Bea Delgado and Pablo Delgado
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Music: Various Authors
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Costume Design: Bea and Pablo Delgado
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Concept and Direction: Bea and Pablo Delgado
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Lighting Design: Bea and Pablo Delgado
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Set Design: Bea and Pablo Delgado
