FLAGSHIP PROGRAMMES
National Network
Spain
Address
C/ Prat de la Riba 40, baixos 1aCountry
City
SANTA MARIA DE PALAUTORDERAProvince
BarcelonaMobile Phone
+34649622098Telephone
+34649622098Website
Click HereYear of Establishment
2017Contact Person1
Elena Díez VillagrasaJob Title 1
Art and Education DirectorContact Person 2
Damián BojorqueJob Title 2
DirectorOrganisation Type
Individual PersonFields of Activity
Arts, Environment/Sustainable development, International/Cultural relations, Youth and educationGeneral Information
We are a small theatre company with children and families as our main audience. We are passionate about telling stories using shadow theatre and puppets. Our main artistic language is both traditional and contemporary shadow theatre techniques.
The company was founded by Catalan puppeteer and visual artist Clementina Kura-kura (artistic name of Elena Díez Villagrasa) and Argentinian director, actor, and playwright Damián Bojorque. From two parts of the world—South America and Europe—Damián and Clementina met in a third world—Asia—to create and work with that continent's most characteristic artistic element: shadows. The group was born in Indonesia.
Since its founding in 2016, they have participated in more than 60 theater festivals, performed in different theaters, and delivered many workshops. Since 2017 they are based in Barcelona province.
Mission and Objectives
Stories have traditionally been the way to transmit values, and their strength and power are indisputable. We use stories to move and to transmit values, always using the power of visual beauty: what enters us through the eyes also touches us more.
Art is a way of educating, since it transmits ideas to us based on the emotions it provokes in us. This is our contribution to the world.
El gecko con botas is a reflection of its two founding members interest in the world we live in, a culturally diverse and interconnected world; and a natural world in danger.
Cultural diversity is part of the essence of the company, both in how it is formed (history and members), as well as in the themes and forms of its artistic expression.
The chosen name reflects so: the GECKO is an Asian animal of good omen, which is intertwined with a traditional European tale ("Puss in Boots"). Similarly, concern for the environment is present both in the themes we work on, and in a transversal look at our creations (especially in the use of reused or low-impact environmental materials).
Main Projects / Activities
- Theatre performances
- Workshops and training
- Educational projects
- Event production
- Custom made productions
How can you contribute to the Network in your country?
Although there are many entities in the Network focused on arts and using arts as a tool, including an entity whose focus is mainly artistic can incorporate new points of view to the network., widening its already rich diversity.
Why do you want to join the ALF Network?
In an interconnected world, working in a network and collaborating with other entities gives strength to what we want to transmit (which has many connecting values with ALF).
Last but not least, the intercultural spirit of the company, has lead to intercultural projects in the Euro-Mediterranean area before. We believe in creative challenges as a way to grow and be in continuous artistic research, and being able to grow the chances for connections means widening the options for growth.