Still Deep Song by Lola Lasurt A Powerful Artistic Fusion of Dance,History, and Reflection on War

The highlight of Aún Deep Song is the comprehensive project Ensayo para Deep Song by Lola Lasurt, a significant artistic endeavor that reinterprets Martha Graham’s iconic choreography. Lasurt delves deeply into the work’s origins, first learning the dance herself before presenting it through her own artistic lens. Graham’s Deep Song, a monumental work commemorating the Spanish Civil War and the sacrifices of those on the frontlines, is reimagined by Lasurt in a performative and pictorial way.

Graham, who drew inspiration from Federico García Lorca’s Poema del cante jondo, created the piece to reflect the sorrow and struggle faced by the Spanish people during the Civil War. The dance’s expressive repetition of gestures captures the emotional weight of the time, reflecting the universal anguish felt by those affected by the war.

A Creative Blend of Dance and Painting

The exhibition showcases three monumental oil-on-canvas friezes created by Lasurt, each one offering a deep exploration of Deep Song’s emotional and physical aspects. The first frieze, Friso I (2020), spans eight strips measuring 10 meters in length and 25 cm in height, and examines five complete minutes of Graham’s choreography. Presented across several metal structures, this piece spans three of the gallery’s spaces, immersing viewers in the dance’s fluidity and pain.

The second frieze, Friso II (Las Caídas, 2023), focuses on the crucial moments of the dance where Graham highlights the falls, an essential element of the piece. Comprised of four strips, each 10 meters long and 50 cm high, this frieze captures the emotional impact of these falls, displayed as a dramatic vertical drop from one of the gallery’s vaulted ceilings.

The final frieze, Friso III (Las Cargas, 2025), extends across 10 meters in length and 2 meters in height, emphasizing the human scale of the dance’s supporting gestures. These paintings offer viewers an immersive experience of Graham’s original work, reflecting Lasurt’s critical approach to the history of the dance.

A Reflection of Contemporary Crises

In addition to the physical artworks, the exhibition also includes a video installation. Lasurt edits recordings of her studio rehearsals, intertwining them with audio broadcasts from contemporary crises and wars, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. This integration of current events highlights the ongoing relevance of the themes explored in Deep Song and underscores the piece’s universal message of struggle and loss.

Historical Context and Documentation

The exhibition concludes with a historical documentary component, featuring multiple copies of the project book Ensayo para Deep Song. An Attempt to Learn Martha Graham’s Dance (2022), published by Concreta. This book chronicles Lasurt’s artistic journey and her attempt to master Graham’s choreography, offering further insights into the project’s development and the significance of Graham’s work in contemporary times.

As with other exhibitions at Contemporánea Condeduque, the show is accompanied by a free publication, available both digitally and in print. The publication features a text by researcher Laura Valléz Vílchez, who explores the meanings and references evoked by Lasurt’s work. Through her examination, Valléz Vílchez describes how images in the project transcend decades, offering a reflection on how history continues to affect the present.

A Pioneering Approach to Visual Arts

Aún Deep Song is part of the broader program ‘Ante la Imagen, ir más allá’, curated by Marta Ramos-Yzquierdo for the 2025-2026 season at Contemporánea Condeduque. The program seeks to expand the potential of images beyond their commercial or technological limitations, inviting viewers to engage with art in a deeper, more critical way.

This exhibition, made possible by the 2019 Leonardo Grant for Researchers and Cultural Creators from the BBVA Foundation, demonstrates the gallery’s commitment to showcasing innovative and thought-provoking art. Aún Deep Song is not only a tribute to Martha Graham’s historical contribution to dance but also an exploration of how the legacy of the past continues to shape the present through the lens of contemporary artists like Lola Lasurt.

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