Artist’s Emotional reunion with Abandoned Mother Culminates Powerful Performance Art
MADRID — Performance artist Abel Azcona will reunite with his biological mother, Isabel Gómez, on April 1, 37 years after she abandoned him. The meeting, at the Circle of Fine Arts in Madrid, culminates a deeply personal artistic project begun in October 2023. Azcona’s mother was a heroin-addicted prostitute who, he says, attempted to abort him three times before his birth. in a previous interview, Azcona described this as “the greatest act of love”
he had ever received, adding, “to me, like other children who were born in the eighties of heroinómos mothers, forcing me to be born despite the fact that my mother wanted to abort three times, they were taking away a right, the right not to be born in a certain scope of violence and abuse.I would have been better not born.”
This highly anticipated reunion is the final act of a “procedural work” Azcona initiated last October. A key element involved inviting his mother to provide a written testimony detailing her perspective on the abandonment. This testimony, which began, “I abandoned you because it was wrong, I was very afraid, I didn’t know what I could do, I had no one to support me. They were all against me,”
was included in two of Azcona’s personal exhibitions. It also served as a prelude to the reunion, forming a crucial part of a presentation at Malaga’s contemporary art center where Gómez, while being filmed, discussed her origins, hometown, and Azcona’s early life.
Semíramis González,a performance and feminist art specialist and curator of the piece,described the upcoming reunion as “a final step to an emotionally painful process and in which only performance can serve as a catalyst for those emotions that causes such a reunion.”
González further highlighted the importance of the event, stating, “The interest of this action, which completes the circle of the different steps towards the mother, is not only the encounter between the two, for the first time, but everything that the figures of both represent.”
The performance promises to be a powerful exploration of complex themes of abandonment, addiction, and the enduring bonds of family.
Azcona’s artistic exploration of his past isn’t limited to his relationship with his mother.In 2021, he embarked on a similar project involving Manuel Lebrijo, his mother’s former partner, an alcoholic and drug addict.Lebrijo, along with his girlfriend, had briefly kidnapped Azcona when he was three years old, taking him to Madrid and Lebrijo’s hometown before being apprehended by the civil Guard six months later. Azcona and Lebrijo retraced this journey together, documenting their experience for the exhibition, Return to the Father, which included a performance where azcona held Lebrijo’s hand for a few minutes before releasing him. This earlier work provides context for the emotional depth and artistic ambition of Azcona’s current project.
The upcoming reunion between azcona and his mother promises to be a poignant and powerful event, a culmination of years of artistic exploration and emotional processing. The performance art piece will undoubtedly spark conversation and reflection on themes of family, abandonment, and the complexities of human relationships.
“Unveiling the Layers of Family and Identity: Abel Azcona’s Emotional Reunion Explored”
Senior Editor (World Today News): In your expert opinion, why do you believe Abel Azcona’s upcoming reunion with his biological mother is so notable not only in the realm of performance art, but also in personal identity exploration?
Performance Art and Identity Expert: Abel Azcona’s upcoming reunion with his mother is a poignant exploration of identity, abandonment, and familial bonds, encapsulating the complexity of human relationships. Performance art serves as a unique medium where personal catharsis and societal reflection converge. Azcona’s work delves deeply into emotional terrain, raising profound questions about birth rights, violence, and familial ties.By publicly articulating these deeply personal experiences, he engages audiences on themes universally resonant and individually unique, fostering a broader societal dialog on the intersections of personal trauma and artistic expression.
Senior Editor: Could you elaborate on the significance of the procedure Azcona calls “procedural work,” particularly in relation to his previous project with Manuel Lebrijo?
Performance Art and Identity Expert: Abel Azcona’s concept of “procedural work” refers to an art process that unfolds over a series of interconnected performances and exhibitions. This method allows the artist to explore complex themes with depth and continuity.His previous project, Return to the Father, retraced his childhood kidnapping, complementing the reunion with his mother by exploring paternal themes of violence and attachment. Both works provide context for his current endeavor,illustrating Azcona’s commitment to integrating his personal history with his art. They demonstrate how procedural work can transform trauma into a canvas for both self-exploration and audience reflection, emphasizing the ongoing process of healing and understanding.
Senior Editor: How does Abel Azcona incorporate his mother’s testimony and background into his performance,and what does this add to the final piece?
Performance Art and Identity Expert: Abel Azcona’s incorporation of his mother’s testimony acts as a vital narrative bridge,connecting personal history with the documented experience.By including her viewpoint, he humanizes the abstraction of abandonment, illustrating its visceral impact on both the abandoned and the abandoner. This narrative layer underscores the duality of human experience, emphasizing empathy and understanding. The inclusion of her testimony adds an authentic, raw dimension to his performance, encouraging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about family dynamics and societal issues related to addiction and maternal rights.
Senior Editor: What impact do you predict this performance will have on discussions around themes of family, addiction, and identity in contemporary art?
Performance Art and Identity Expert: This performance is poised to substantially impact contemporary art discussions by bringing urgent, often silenced, themes to the forefront. Abel Azcona’s raw exploration of his past challenges existing narratives about familial relationships, addiction, and the right to choose life circumstances. Art has a unique power to catalyze change, and by combining personal suffering with public performance, Azcona invites discourse on crucial issues. This work could inspire artists and audiences alike to engage in more honest dialogues about familial bonds, societal perceptions of addiction, and the meaning of self in relation to one’s upbringing.
Key Takeaways:
- Procedural Work’s significance: Azcona’s art transcends conventional boundaries by blending personal trauma with creative expression, fostering a multi-faceted exploration of identity.
- Mother’s Testimony: Her narrative amplifies the emotional impact, inviting empathy and challenging societal stigmas.
- Broader Impact: This performance art piece has the potential to redefine paradigms in contemporary art, challenging audiences to reflect deeply on complex, frequently enough taboo subjects.
The anticipation surrounding this reunion highlights the lasting power of performance art to engage, challenge, and inspire. What are your thoughts on the ways art can influence personal narratives and societal discourse? Share your views in the comments or on social media.