VOYEURISTIC TEMPTATIONS. CYBERWINDOW ON THE FLAMENCO WORLD'S FAIR

Silvia Calado Olivo

If anyone wants to know what was cooking at the Feria Mundial del Flamenco (Flamenco World's Fair), just ask the webcam at Flamenco-World.com. The sophisticated voyeur's toy lodged at its official station became just another celebrity of those who visited Seville's Palacio de Exposiciones y Congresos in the role of buyer, seller, product or simply someone curious about flamenco's first steps as an industry. And on the small screen that was at the disposition of international flamenco followers, only occasionally could one see the nakedness of the illuminated arcade which gave form to the patios of the exposition area. Fifteen thousand visitors blocked the view.

After quickly making the rounds and discovering a colorful cocktail of flamenco dresses, guitars, photographs, shoes, accessories, records, TV cameras, here and there a wine-tasting and a little shoulder-rubbing, the tour inevitably stopped at the screen which, like a mirror, captured one's own image wading in flamenco cyberworld. Children of course, were the first to notice the little spy. And afterwards, some of the most famous faces of this art form.

Flamenco-world.com stand

Dieguito el Cigala stopped by with his son in tow, as well as Jerry González and Piraña. Arcángel came by, and Cañizares, a little while later Kiko Veneno. And Matilde Coral and Marina Heredia and Javier Colina and Bernardo Parrilla and Pepa Montes and Pedro Ricardo Miño... And that one-man-show Tomasito, who delighted web addicts with an exclusive cyberdance. Robot to robot. No less memorable was his participation in the chat, where he ran into Vicente Amigo and together they began composing verses on line. The code for being recognized is worth taking note of:

- Are you really Tomasito? Let's see...what's the capital of the world?
- Jerez.
- So far so good. And within Jerez?
- Santiago.
- Hi there Tomasito...

Matilde coral, Centro Andaluz de Flamenco, Joaquín Grilo
and Javier Colina (Photos: Anahí Cármody)

Meanwhile, visitors swarmed around the stand to get their sticker or one of the thousand treasured posters that were handed out. But "no m'am, we don't have one of Camarón". Flamenco followers' encounter with the web brought some odd anecdotes such as the visit of Niño de Cabra who was surprised to find his grandmother's biography in the encyclopedia of artists...

The bustling activity of the virtual flamenco tavern that was the fair, swirled around non-stop background music which superimposed itself on the recorded voice of Arcángel, the clicking of castanets, now and then a strumming guitar, a fandango singer's lament, the echo of an usherette announcing some program or other over the loudspeaker and the roiling activity of a crowd composed of children, old folks, artists, amateurs, tourists and random curious types.... And there in the background at the end of the hall the inscrutible smile of the wine-server of Condado wines...an unavoidable look if ever there was one.

Pics from World´s Fair of Flamenco

And once things got underway, a twirl through the flamenco fashion show that took place each day - and lucky was the individual who managed to catch the one on the last day closed by Juana Amaya backed up by Marina Heredia, a peek at the presentation of works such as Pura Intención; a stroll over to the recital given by the artists of Morón, and while we're at it, the Sierra de Huelva, or Arahal, or Jerez or Utrera. Then perhaps one found the video screen which through the wonders of technology would register a portrait of the person next to his or her favorite flamenco artist; or a record presentation such as that of Esperanza Fernández, Dieguito, Luis Caballero; or Flamenco-world.com's own stand where Kiko Veneno and Arcángel opened a lively debate with the press about the presence of flamenco on the Internet. And of course, between cantes and between seeing what there was to see, a little shoulder-rubbing at the bar well into mid-morning, in preparation for the nighttime open-air shows in the center's semicircular bandshell...nightly treats courtesy of, among others, the Compañía Andaluza de Danza (with extra dessert by Bayón included), Chano Domínguez, Tomatito, Cañizares, Arcángel, Los Activos or Tomasito who managed to get the audience up out of their seats with his rhythms, in spite of the accumulated fatigue of four intense days of business wheeling and dealing.

We were left with a good memory to take home in spite of a few barbs directed at the organizers or the confusion of some people not knowing what to expect. In fact, one of the clearest conclusions is that for the next edition, which is set to coincide with the Bienal de Flamenco, floor space is to be increased, such is the demand. You could even say a few dreams have been fulfilled. And if you don't think so, ask the lady who went home with a poster and walked off doing compás to Camarón...