A Creative Knock Out

Shopping trolleys, traffic cones…no, it’s not a student residence, it’s 70 Seconds Before The Knock Out. An observant eye pays off in Buenos Aires; dodging dog poop, hopping cracks in the pavement and finding some of the many gems the city has to offer. La Castorera is tucked away on the second floor of a residential building and it weren’t for the throngs of people outside, it would be easy to breeze by the doorway.

Every Thursday this month they will be hosting a series of exhibitions called ‘70 Seconds Before The Knock Out’. The concept is to incorporate live art, music, light and video installations into one event. The first show was hosted by Pommez and Mujercitas Terror and gave an exciting preview of what’s to come.

The two grand rooms of the venue function as bar and a performance area. The bar is filled with animated chatter and chiming electronica whilst the performance space is a darkened dancehall. The artists divide their work between a stage and an area on the dance floor marked with luminous red traffic cones.

Spectators were met with a stage draped in white cloth and a shopping trolley converted into a chariot. The cloth lifted to reveal a stage with a backdrop of paint splattered canvases, a fridge door, window frames and lit glass spheres. Four artists began their work, as the audience pulled up chairs to watch their characters come to life. With the scene developed, the white screen fell again to be used as a projection screen.

With the lights turned off sounds of a strumming bass caught the crowd’s attention as they turned to see the face off begin. Pommez opened the knock out with a stunning light show of fluorescent strip lights blinking in time to incredible percussion and octave shifting electric guitar. The band have recently returned from a European tour have been on the post-rock scene in B.A. for four years.

In darkness the audience ambled about for a few seconds in confusion to be shook with a bolt of light from the opposite side of the room as screeching sounds announced the arrival of Mujercitas Terror. The three-piece rocked the crowd with breakneck drumming and the lead singer jumping about in a nightgown!

The face off went back and forth between the two sets throughout the night. The styles of the porteño bands varied the mood as the crowd stood, jumped and sat to each round of music. Although it’s a confusing set-up to begin with, the musical contrasts add to the diversity of the night and make for a playful atmosphere. 

Each show throughout April will be different as Pommez and Dietrich alternate, playing every second week, with new rivals. The art setup will vary too with contributions of painting, murals, animation, installations and videos from 33 artists. 

The music line up for the coming month is as follows:

- 16 April: Pommez vs. Colonia De Ciervos

- 23 April: Dietrich vs. Serial

The show begins at 11pm and entrance is $15 at La Castorera, Av. Córdoba 6237. For more information log on to www.castorera.com