‘The Four Elements’. Special Feature

The harmony of difference

Silvia Calado. Madrid, October 2004
Photos: Daniel Muñoz

“Four elements. Four bailaores. Four styles. Four ways of feeling flamenco”. The words of Miguel Marín, director of Flamenco Festival USA, sum up the concept of the show that will be featured in the fourth edition of the American festival, for which it has been put together. For that reason and fulfilling the aim to “bridge the gap between New York artists and flamenco artists”, the production has choreographer Jacqulyn Buglisi as stage director, Clifton Taylor as lighting and stage designer, plus wardrobe designer Miguel Adrover, between two shores. Both share their vision with that of flamenco artists such as guitarist Gerardo Núñez, who works as musical director, and the lead group of four bailaores of different looks consisting of fire Carmen Cortés, earth Alejandro Granados, air Carlos Rodríguez and Daniel Doña, and water Rocío Molina.

	Carmen Cortés

‘The Four Elements’ is “flamenco without concessions, but with different esthetics”. And much of the blame for the conception of that new image goes to Jacqulyn Buglisi, successor to the school of brilliant contemporary dancer Martha Graham. The choreographer explains that “I feel very close to the theme of the four elements, since my work has always been related to the environment, humanity and the vulnerability of the human spirit. I want to express the understanding of our hearts, to talk about beauty”.

Buglisi, who had never before worked with flamenco, says she is “surprised at the variety she's found within the same style”. And she affirms that she's found “the vocabulary of flamenco interesting, which I've learned a lot from in order to be able to fit it into Martha Graham's esthetic and theatrical concept”. Lighting and stage design contribute to it. Clifton Taylor points out that he has sought “to establish an emotional relationship with flamenco dancing and, at the same time, colors and shapes explaining the four elements”. Moreover, he has attempted “to use new technologies to express old ideas inspired in colors that communicate, in society's subconscious”. The wardrobe also provides ambience. Designer Miguel Adrover relates that his “intention has been to maintain classical flamenco style, but making it timeless”. He emphasizes the coexistence of different generations, “different ages, which I think is going to appeal to young people, without flamenco's roots being lost”.

The common thread of the show, which had a precedent in the ‘Flamenco Gala’ presented at the 2004 International Festival of Santander, is music. Guitarist Gerardo Núñez, who jokingly defines himself as “the fifth element”, directs this section: “My job has been to join all the musical criteria, since I'm not the author of all the music - there are also pieces by Paco Cruz and Alejandro Granados -, to provide unity to the whole”. The Jerez-born musician appears satisfied with this project, since “besides the fact that we're all friends, I think it's an interesting show in stage design, wardrobe and intention”. In addition to Gerardo Núñez himself, who only goes as guest artist to the premiere - just like saxophonist Perico Sambeat -, performing the music are cantaores Luis Moneo, Rafael Falo, Jesús Méndez and Eva Durán; guitarists Paco Cruz and Rafael Jiménez; percussionist Nacho Arimany.

Fire. Earth. Water. Air.

And the bailaores. Alejandro Granados, earth, dances a classic, visceral, male seguiriya. Carmen Cortés, fire, dances a sometimes unhurried, sometimes hasty, mature, serene soleá. Carlos Rodríguez and Daniel Doña share the role of air, dancing a fandango. Doña affirms that he has attempted “to stick to that character, for Gerardo Núñez's music to be air in my dancing. And to deliver, offer, give... for people to go away not only having seen a dance show, but also having been able to see the force in each element”. And Rocío Molina, water, dances a guajira. The young bailaora believes that “although it's clear that we're four people and four different characters, we've achieved the harmony that Jacqulyn Buglisi was asking for”. And that harmony, according to the New York choreographer, is “in that we all have feelings and we share them from deep inside ourselves”.

Carlos Rodríguez and Rocío Molina. 'Los cuatro elementos'

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