PRECEDENTS OF PROJECT

DISCOTECA FLAMING STAR

Since 1998 the Discoteca Flaming Star has been staging performances-collaborations with other artists in different artistic contexts. In the last few years, the production of audiovisual projects associated with the performative experience has been on the increase. The group has produced banners or backdrops, carpets, collages, audio projects and video works.

The project proposed here seeks to give a sculptural-physical dimension of a public nature to the search for the group. A search carried out in the fields of spontaneous song expression, understood as an individual response to/in specific historical moments and, through it, investigating methods of organic acting and interpreting in contrast with the global imperatives of the entertainment industry. www.discotecaflamingstar.co

BASES OF REFLECTION AND INSPIRATION FOR DEVELOPING THIS PROJECT

THE HUTS OF THE NEW AND SECOND-HAND BOOK FAIR

Since 1925, 30 bookshop-huts have been placed in the Cuesta de Moyano. While small, therefore of a picturesque nature- the outdoor structures are associated with forms of informal economy which, except in their illegal street vendor version, are outside the areas demarcated by the project Madrid Abierto.

Currently, the huts are temporarily situated in Paseo del Prado until they are relocated to the remodelled Cuesta de Moyano – which will become pedestrian- in 2007. We find the issues inherent in this change especially interesting: To what extent and how does culture, as an event, affect urban planning and real estate interests? Will the new ‘Cuesta’ pose a change to the content of the huts?

DESCRIPTION AND GOALS OF THE PROJECT

Creation of a sculpture-stand of similar size and structure as the book stands in Cuesta de Moyano. The sculpture, located near the stands, contains an audio element inside.

The Flaming Star disco will modify and indicate the kiosk-stand-book store so that it seems damaged, strange, abandoned, exposed – externally – to vandalism.

Thanks to the audio equipment – story + music for about 15 minutes – emphasizes the mysterious character of the sculpture-stand. (The audio content will be chosen after researching in the realm of literature and history of the area in which the book stands are (were) located). ---this element gives us an ample margin to explicitly introduce questions of literalness, (i)rationality, passion, dialogue, walks, public context and collective expression through cultural products, enabling us to integrate reflections on the diversity of relations between different ideological and cultural projects of a city.

If the weather conditions are favourable the Flaming Star Disco would like to use its interior for performance activities by “opening the kiosk”.

PERSONAL JUSTIFICATION

RELEVANCE OF THE PROJECT

Apart from the points mentioned above, we believe our proposal adds an element of artistic deliberation during the ARCO Contemporary Art Fair. As the book stands are also some type of fair – not only in its structure, but also in defining itself new and second-hand book fair -, they offer a subject to reflect on in which the Flaming Star Disco has been active since its foundation; a reflection on the qualities and relevance of contemporary artistic activity and investigation, and questioning of forms of interaction with the audience.

INSIDE THE ARTISTIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE FLAMING STAR DISCO

In previous occasions we have done projects that have put us in contact with a public that is not specifically into art: performances in clubs and in the village square of Viandar de la Vera. But the opportunity offered by Madrid Abierto enables us to investigate on a rapprochement with the public of passers-by, based on an audiovisual project similar to a performance.

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