POLA SIEVERDING
DUENDE
Pola Sieverding's Duende (2022-2023) captures the essence of Federico García Lorca's idea of 'Duende'–a force of deep emotion, struggle, and artistic transcendence. In these images, the bullfighters ('toreros') are framed with a dramatic intensity that mirrors the poetic tension Lorca describes: a moment of heightened expression where life, death, and beauty converge.
The use of deep black backgrounds and vibrant contrasts in Sieverding's work enhances the gravity of each figure, isolating them in a way that echoes the tragic beauty of bullfighting.
The rich textures of the matadors' embroidered costumes and the flowing movement of their capes create a sense of theatricality, reminiscent of the poet's assertion that duende emerges from physical, almost ritualistic performance.
The final image, showing a torero with arms extended and bloodstains on his suit, is especially evocative. It speaks to Lorca's notion that duende comes from embracing pain and risk, where art is born from raw experience rather than mere technique.
Installation views by David Bonet