Elements of a Journey: Antoni Tàpies

Elements of a Journey: Antoni Tàpies is an experimental documentary focusing on the legacy of Antoni Tàpies, the 20th-century Catalan painter and sculptor. The film, which follows the artist as he grows up during the Franco dictatorship, is strongly relevant to the divisive politics of today. Its goal is to engage viewers through both Tàpies’ story and his art. It explores how artists navigate complex journeys; spiritual, political, and the everyday. Tàpies stood out in his lifetime, not only as a major painter, but also as the voice of freedom and hope for a generation during a dark and painful era in Spain.

This film began principal photography in 1974, and then was put on hold, due to lack of funding. The original negatives were stored at the National Film Archive in London. Now, almost 50 years later, with the support of the Fundació Antoni Tàpies and the Elephant Trust, the film has been finally completed to become a part of the centenary celebrations of the birth of Tàpies in 2023.

Year of Production 2023

Duration 58 Minutes

Country of Production USA

Genre Documentary

Shooting Format Digital