Edmundo Torres Tresierra

The mask, a recreational instrument par excellence - gives a particular efficacy to dramatic play. When used in dance it evokes, in suggestive ways, various appearances and when used in fiestas it is a great protagonist. In this workshop we will create masks for the baptism celebration of the "T'antawawa" ('bread baby' in Quechua), evoking a fiesta which animates the festive calendar in the Altiplano region of Peru and Bolivia in the month of November. It is a bufa ceremony which parodies the mentioned religious ritual and it can also be the vehicle of contents as diverse as political satire, social critique and traditions. Above all; however, it preludes the dance and its surrounding activities. For this task we will use various techniques and materials which allow not only for a quick creation process but also give us the pleasure of manual work.

Biography

Edmundo Torres Tresierra
Edmundo Torres Tresierra was born in Puno, Peru' s most varied dance culture area. Since his childhood, he has danced the traditional dances of his region. He received part of his educational background in the Fine Art Schools of Puno and Lima, and then moved into the theatre arts, graduating in acting in the National Conservatory in Lima. He has participated in several theatre companies as a performer and costume designer. Torres' most enriching experience was working with Yuyachkani in Allpa Rayku, Los músicos ambulantes and Contraelviento. He learnt mask making techniques in Italy, in Milan's Cívica Scuola di Arte Drammatica. He has taught workshops on this matter in Peru, Cuba, Spain, Italy, France and Germany. His masks, objects and sculptures have been exhibited in Peru, Italy, Spain, Germany and Hungary. Besides his work with masks, Edmundo Torres has developed extensive performance work "Ekeko", "Frida Kahlo", "Calaca Catrina", "Agapito" are some of his characters. He currently resides in Berlín, where he participates with the cultural collective "La Calaca", which periodically organizes the Mexican feast "Los días de Muertos". He also collaborates as a mask maker in Theaters such as Berlin' s Renaissance-Theater, Postdam' s Hans-Otto-Theater, and the Bremer-Shakespeare-Company.