GÁRGOLA
Length: 12' –current stage–.*project still in development
Creation: Diego Pazó & Lucía BurgueteInfo: qabalum@gmail.com
–’’The idea of creature has accompanied humankind’s desire for transcendence since the beginning of time. We see it in cave paintings, totems, the first deities, idols, the golden calf, gargoyles, chimeras, even in the first graphic representations made by children.
These singular images, the bison in the cave –which keeps the animals in an inaccessible, uterine matrix, safe even from the light– or the gargoyle in the temple, speak to us of a desire to remain, to endure, to connect with nature not only through vital functions, but also through symbols. And they all have something in common: we do not know the name of their creator; they belong to no one but humanity.”
Creation: Diego Pazó & Lucía BurguetePerformance: Lucía Burguete & Diego PazóMusic: VV.AA. –composition by Diego Pazó–.Pictures: María MuñozVídeo: Nanuk AudiovisualDistribution/Production assistance: Patty Hinchado
With the support of: Zaragoza Dance Center, Espacio El Túnel. The piece qualified as finalist at RIDCC 2026, where it received four of the contest's awards: 'FORM Dance Projects' Partner Award, 'CODARTS Rotterdam' Partner Award, 'CCN du Creteil et Val-du-Marne | EMKA' Partner Award y 'Fundación Carlos Acosta' Partner Award.
GÁRGOLA is QABALUM’s latest project, conceived as an exploration of the symbolic relationship between humankind and the animal, the creature, and the essence of biological existence. This project is still under development, without a concrete calendar of work, but already at an advanced stage in terms of creation of movement material. In GARGOLA, two characters without names or concrete identities search for each other, repel each other, break apart –literally– into pieces, attempting to cross the boundaries that separate them, both from each other and from everything else. Just as our ancestors invented images and rituals, they try to invoke permanence, to open the door back to the womb of an increasingly distant reality, that which we call nature.
–‘’ This collective’s duet had a force that was poetic and emotional. From the beginning they captured the audience’s attention by creating an atmosphere of impressive images, ideas and movement. Their strong and distinctive partnering style showed technical precision and innovative movement choices. Their performance was also strong and controlled.’’Keith-Derrick Randolph, CODARTS Artistic Leader, 2026
–‘’[...] A powerful, original and emotionally convincing work with a clear artistic signature. We praise the physical strength, originality and dramaturgical clarity of GÁRGOLA. The partnering work was strong, precise and unpredictable. The bond between the dancers was particularly striking, which allowed the dancers to shine both individually and harmoniously in the work while the dramaturgical build-up provided a strong and consistent experience.’’Kristin de Groot, Anna-Kay Gayle, Anouk van Dijk, Katrin Hall & Rupert Tookey [RIDCC Jury, edit.], 2026
–‘’ Deeply idiosincratic, surprising and thrilling. There was a vast potential in both the development of the choreographic language and pushing the artform forward as well as the theatrical impact and storytelling without being prescriptive or dogmatic.’’Paul Selwyn Norton, FORM Dance Project Director, 2026
–’’ The characters played by Lucía Burguete and Diego Pazó seem to exist in a perpetual, ever-stretching present: it’s as if history, as we know it, hasn’t been reactivated, because the very idea of human being has been suspended. [...] For now, I must point out that GARGOLA is the best I’ve seen so far from QABALUM in terms of direction, performance, movement quality, and staging...’’Danzateatr, 2026
























