The translation of the German word “Ertüchtigung” is “strengthening”. The “modes of strengthening” that emerged over the centuries are based on belief or science, culture, crisis or development of thought…the list is endless. This ongoing seriesexplores playfully "modes of strenfthening", which can be bodily, spiritually, imaginary...in different parts of the world.
Ertüchtigung series – Chapter I: Barcelona
The chapter looks at one of the many very specific traditions that celebrate being a Catalonian - gathering to raise human ”castles”. The people who participate in this activity are called castellers, and can be found in every neighborhood. They compete every summer during the festa major (big festival) in who can create the most tiers of humans – the highest “human castles”. To complete the castle a small child called anxaneta must reach the top and waive to the crowd. One does not have to have an extraordinary physical fitness to become a castellers – anyone can participate. Castellers have like all sportsmen/women a specific uniform and movements, gestures and tricks – one is captured in this body of work.