Abans

The work of Xesca Salvà, created and produced for "The Assault of Illusion", operates as a portico to the fantasy space in which we are introduced. The installation consists of a theatre curtain that is at the same time an automaton or, conversely, an automaton that opens like a portico to the world of illusions.

The curtain and the automaton share that childish space of suspense that quickly fades as we grow older: the space of pure illusion, the innocence that is essential to sustain the beliefs that will later accompany us throughout our lives, defining our world. To cross the curtain – and also the machine – is, therefore, to cross a threshold and enter a fantasy world built through illusion.

In addition, Salvà's installation plays an important role at the beginning of the exhibition, as it forces the public to start the visit as a group. The aspect of waiting sets a rhythm that will be important for the rest of the visit, and prioritising group over individual visits also defines a specific exhibition experience.

Credits

Music and sound editing: Odil Bright
Motorisation: Pascualin Estructures
Automation support: Marc Villanueva
Audio from conversations with the curator and the artists in the exhibition.

Xesca Salvà

Xesca Salvà lives and works in Barcelona. Since 2010 she has worked as a set designer in theatre, dance and exhibition projects, and also as a creator of visual and scenic pieces such as Cases (IF Barcelona, 2018), Frank (Teatre Lliure, 2021), Un cos incoherent (Santa Mònica, 2022) or Understory (Teatre Lliure, 2022); pieces that investigate intimacy, play and the limits of the living and the non-living.

@xescasalvacerda