Common House. Collage, 2014

Diptych 50 x 40 cm u.c. Wood, paper.

The diptych Common House. Collage is made up of stills from the film Spanish Earth (1937) by Joris Ivens and an archival text that appeals to the dignity and freedom of soldiers from the fascist side to join the Republican ranks. The proclamations were broadcast from trucks with large loudspeakers (1).

The text reads: “Soldier of the rebel ranks: You were born poor. And they force you to fight for those who exploited your parents and grandparents and for those who exploited you too. They gave you a rifle to give… to your mortal brothers, to fight against your brothers, to rivet the chains they put on you at birth, chains of misery, of ignorance, of hunger, of cold and nakedness, chains that the Republic began to take away from you. Defect. Come with us, that is, with your comrades, with your brothers who will welcome you with emotion, who will welcome you with love, who will satisfy your hunger, who will clothe your nakedness, who will set you free. If you do not do so, you will be your own executioner and the opprobrium of your family, your people and your country” (2).

(1) In Ivens’ documentary film, a loudspeaker-truck of the communist organisation Altavoz del Frente is shown broadcasting political proclamations on the Madrid front.

(2) SHM.G. of Liberation. 2R. Arm. 47. Leg. 85. 1. Doc. 1, p. 59. Roll 279.

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Exhibition:
Abandoned Futures. Tomorrow was already the question.
Curatorship: Martí Peran
Fabra i Coats. Barcelona. From 18 October 2014 to 18 January 2015.

Exhibition:
Strata
Rosa Santos Gallery. Valencia. From 16 January to 20 February 2015.