Freedom's impact
Pierrot, the lover of the moon, has always been one of my favorite characters. Character born of Commedia dell'Arte that broke into the sixteenth century Italy originally under the name Pedrolino and owning an irreverent character, passing through France was acquired manners and a melancholy expression, the one we all recognise as the white clown. And, of course, also blue, after the iconic image of Jean Paul Belmondo in Pierrot le fou, the magnificent film by Jean Luc Godard.
Barcelona had its own Pierrot, the artistic alter ego created by Antonio Gracia José, multifaceted creative energy that carried his enormous talent from cabaret to graphic arts. Actor, artist, writer, showman, Pierrot pioneered experimental and horror cinema. Died recently, l'Antic Teatre de Barcelona pays him tribute. Pierrot premiered many of his terror works of what he called Impact Theater at the Antic Teatre stage when it was still called Círculo Católico San José. All his stage productions ended up being Super 8 films, with some titles like The doll, Vampires, Miss Dracula or Possessed. His amateur underground style was the result of a very personal and extensive knowledge in graphic design and visual arts, and it was screened at various horror film festivals and his posters were image of the Sitges Festival on many occasions.
Now he is remembered by an exhibition of his graphic work and some screenings of his films. And we’ll remember that we must be realistic and demand the impossible: the moon.
Text by Juan Carlos Romero
Photo by Antonio Gracia José
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