© M A S K p o e t i c a
Contemporary Commedia dell’Arte
by Carlos García Estévez
To Carlos: 18 December 1998 (École Jacques Lecoq, Paris)
“Could you seek the tragic depth that exists in Commedia dell’Arte?
Without this tragic dimension, Commedia dell’Arte cannot exist.
Go and find it!”
Jacques Lecoq
Inspired by this provocation, in 1999, I started a lifelong journey in search for the tragic human dimension that lies within us all—guided by the powerful, transformative force of the Mask, an extraordinary connector between worlds. I dedicated my career to searching for a Contemporary Commedia dell’Arte.
I called it: MaskPoetica.
MaskPoetica:
Contemporary Commedia dell’Arte
For me, the guiding path is the one that connects with the essence where the spirit of life’s celebration resides. Commedia dell’Arte is the effect of that cause. And alongside with a central theme in human existence: the tension between life and death. The space where we connect with our dreams, intuitions and ourselves.
The mask is a portal that helps us to go beyond the past and the future. It keep us in the here and now providing a unique occasion to connect with the pure state of our emotions.
The mask is an invitation to contemplate from another state of consciousness, basis of storytelling and emotional communication.
MaskPoetica: Contemporary Commedia dell’Arte
Open Laboratories approach elements such as:
Spirit of play and celebration.
The Architecture of Gestures. (*see below)
Mask. Structure at the service of metamorphosis.
Improvisation.
Movement Technique.
Musicality. Timing. Space.
Interaction and direct contact with the audience.
Everyday stories through human passions.
MaskPoetica: Contemporary Commedia dell’Arte activities are open for professional actors, dancers and performers. Participants will be exposed to a deep study of the mask dimension of contemporary theatre.
Carlos also proposes and designs also MaskPoetica Workshops for non-performers and non-artists. For those that would like to explore the mask, themselves and their stories.
CONTACT US
If you are interested in incorporating MaskPoetica into your institution/organization.
If you would like to learn more about the practice and have questions regarding the process.
If you want arrange a conversation with Carlos García Estévez to get more insights about the research.
If you would like to organize a MaskPoetica Laboratory for your group.
This proposed mask work has its origin in Carlos García Estévez's more than 25 years of theatrical research on acting with masks and on the tragic depth that exists in comedy.
“From the moment of birth, we know that we are going to die.
We are conscious of our destiny. We exist within a tragic dimension.”
This years long research is based on the study of popular tradition, physical and scenic movement, socio-cultural studies and artistic experiences on the five continents.
ARCHITECTURE OF GESTURES
Architecture of Gestures is a foundational concept that interlaces physical expression, spatial awareness, and dramaturgical structure to create a unique theatrical language through the use of the mask and the space surrounding it.
This approach is deeply rooted in Carlos’ extensive research and practice in movement, mask performance, and dramatic tension. Central to this approach is the mask and the space it inhabits, transforming performance into a dynamic interplay of movement and meaning.
Carlos’ exploration of the Architecture of Gestures began in 1998, influenced by his studies with Jacques Lecoq. His collaboration with Italian mask sculptor Donato Sartori further deepened his understanding, leading to a comprehensive study of the Anthropology of the Mask and the Structural Dynamics of Gesture.
