Theatrical Costume Collection at Freedom Tower Depicts One Hundred Years of Calderón de la Barca
Miami, Thursday, July 03, 2008 - Once again, Miami Dade College’s (MDC) iconic Freedom Tower will be the setting for a legendary art exhibition. This time, art lovers will journey back to seventeenth century Spain for 100 Años Vistiendo a Calderón (A Hundred Years Dressing Calderón), a Spanish exhibition of costumes used in plays written by the great Spanish Baroque playwright, Pedro Calderón de la Barca y Henao. The exhibition opens at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15 with an invitation-only reception at the Freedom Tower. The working media is welcome to attend.
A Hundred Years Dressing Calderón is a component of this year’s International Hispanic Theatre Festival (IHTF) in Miami, themed “A Tribute to Spain.” It includes 40 costumes and 10 plotted costume designs from the Museo Nacional del Teatro, Compañía Nacional de Teatro Clásico and Cornejo Tailoring, which have been used in various performances.
This unique collection depicts the different ways Calderón’s plays have been interpreted over the last century, from the first avant-garde movements brought from Central Europe, courtesy of Burman, Cortezo, and Emilio Burgos, to the baroque expressions of Nieva and Puigserver, or the most recent proposals by Miguel Narros and Andrea D’Odorico.
“A costume is a magic garment that illustrates the drama. Theatrical costume is one of the oldest art forms known to humanity. “A Hundred Years Dressing Calderón” is a wonderful journey through costume design in Spain and a unique blend of history, art and theatre for the enjoyment of Miami audiences,” said Jorge Gutierrez, MDC Art Gallery System director.
Calderón wrote more than 100 comedies, tragedies and philosophical works, including the acclaimed La Vida es Sueño (Life is a Dream). He is well-known for his “auto sacramentales” – religious works dealing primarily with the Eucharist – and other religious dramas.
This event is a combined effort by MDC, the State Corporation for Spanish Cultural Action Abroad, the Museo Nacional del Teatro, the City of Miami, Teatro Avante, and the Centro Cultural de España in Miami.
A Hundred Years Dressing Calderón will remain on display through August 30. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.
- WHAT: 100 Años Vistiendo a Calderón (A Hundred Years Dressing Calderón)
- WHEN: Tuesday, Jul. 15, 7:00 PM - Saturday, Aug. 30, 12:59 PM
- WHERE: MDC’s Freedom Tower, 600 Biscayne Boulevard, Miami
For more information about the exhibition please contact: MDC Art Gallery System 305- 237-7186.