Transforming according to movement and light. Loom by Ines Esnal
31/12/2023.
[Gjirokastra] Albanian
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
metalocus, ANDRÉS BLANCO
The art installation for the stage at the Albanian National Folk Festival in Gjirokastra 2023 was designed by Spanish artist and architect Ines Esnal. An event recognized as the most important in Albanian cultural heritage.
The stage sits on a rocky spur within the historic Gjirokastra castle fortress overlooking the city and with magnificent views of the Drin River valley.
The artist and architect Inés Esnal has previously developed many great installations, such as the Corolla installation, in Denver, Colorado, United States.
The stage sits on a rocky spur within the historic Gjirokastra castle fortress overlooking the city and with magnificent views of the Drin River valley.
The artist and architect Inés Esnal has previously developed many great installations, such as the Corolla installation, in Denver, Colorado, United States.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
The proposal designed by Inés Esnal was inspired by the rich traditions of rug-making, following the local creative agency´s briefing. (Kube Studios) who commissioned the piece with the Ministry of Culture. The support of this stage uses a preexisting structure from the original 1968 Festival, which includes an 8m diameter steel semi-sphere and freestanding columns behind it that were once integral to the original scenography.
"Like warps in a giant loom, several bands of colored strings run supported between the columns, the arched structure, and the dome, crossing symmetrically to form a light and vibrant textile vault."
The string canopy between the columns and the main performance area extends the stage through a deambulatory, seamlessly transitioning backstage. This dual-sided design not only defines the stage space but also the backstage, where dancers and musicians can see a domed image that transforms according to movement and light as they move, just as spectators can observe different configurations according to their position in front of the stage.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
Project description by Ines Esnal
The installation serves as scenography for the stage at the Albanian National Folk Festival in Gjirokastra 2023, recognized as the most important event in Albanian cultural heritage.
Poised on a rocky spur within the historic Gjirokastra castle fortress overlooking the city and with magnificent views of the Drin River valley, the installation is inspired by the rich traditions of rug making.
The installation utilizes the preexisting structure from the original 1968 Festival, which includes an 8m diameter steel semi-sphere and freestanding columns behind it that were once integral to the original scenography. Like warps in a giant loom, several bands of colored strings run supported between the columns, the arched structure, and the dome, crossing symmetrically to form a light and vibrant textile vault.
Loom by Ines Esnal. Photograph by Imagen subliminal.
The string canopy between the columns and the main performance area extends the stage through a deambulatory, seamlessly transitioning backstage. This dual-sided design not only defines the stage space but also the backstage, where thousands of dancers and musicians from all over Albania gather in anticipation of their acts.
The red hues pay homage to the traditional colors found in carpets and regional customs, creating a sharp contrast with the landscape. The long upper bands, transforming into the canopy, are monochromatic while in the denser lower area, a blend of colors is woven into traditional geometric patterns.
The permeability of the installation, allowing light to filter through the strings, enhances the dynamic interplay between the stage and backstage, creating a visually immersive experience that changes throughout the day. In daylight, the installation seamlessly melds with the landscape, presenting a fluid and harmonious presence. As night falls, it transforms, appearing sharply defined and striking against the backdrop of darkness.
More information
Architects
Collaborators
Structural Engineer by Socotec.
Creative Director & Scenography Concept by Ina Lisi.
Creative Director & Scenography Concept by Ina Lisi.
For
Gjirokastra National Albania’s Folk Festival 2023.
Commissioner
Ministry of Culture of Albania.
Production
Kube Studios.
Dates
2023.
Location
Gjirokastra castle. Gjirokastra, Albanian.
Photography
Imagen subliminal (Miguel de Guzman + Rocio Romero).
Inés Esnal
Ines Esnal (Madrid 1979) is an installation artist based in New York since 2005. Her architectural training influenced her understanding of art concerning space from both phenomenological and formal perspectives. Esnal combines scientific strategies and artistic approximations in the creative process to achieve an artwork that is at once geometrical and atmospheric, logical and experiential.
She is a trained architect from Spain (ETSAM 2004) earning a Master of Science in Advance Architecture Design at Columbia University (2008) and researching Digital Materiality in relationship to Printmaking at the School of the Arts at Columbia University (2009).
Esnal has been the subject of four solo exhibitions at the following venues: Opus Projects 526 W 26th St, New York, NY(2013), the Cervantes Institute NY (2011), the Architectural League of Madrid (2010) and the Leroy Neiman Center Gallery (2009). She has been awarded with the CODA Merit Award (2019) and a Caja Madrid Full Scholarship (2008).
She was commissioned work around the US, (New York City, Denver, Los Angeles, Washington DC) and around the World, (Dubai, Paris, Geneva, Madrid, Rome).
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