Actor, performer and variety artist, born in 1961 in Junín, “Sweet potato” Barea is recognized in Buenos Aires as an emblematic figure of the underground theater of the 80s. He defined himself as a “clown-transvestite-literary” in times of a nascent and crucial democratic culture. For this reason, on Thursday, December 8, 31 years after his death and 40 years after the return of democracy, the Ministry of Culture of the City will present a special program to honor him in the streets of Abasto.
However, it is difficult to subscribe the figure of Salvador Barea only to that of “underground artist”, since his work spanned all areas and covered a wide range of shows: one-man, group, work as a director, on stage or, even on television.
He developed notable collaborations with artists such as Alejandro Urdapilleta or Humberto Tortoneseperformative happenings and spontaneous performances, based on texts by Alejandra Pizarnik and Alfonsina Storni. He was a regular personality of the mythical Parakultural, space that gave birth to “Garlic prawns”, and from the disco Cement of Omar Chaban.
In addition, he participated in various transgressive groups with a strong legacy, which are still remembered today, with queer reminiscences, such as “Joly Hairstyles” or “El Clú del Claun”. Even its importance made the most important room in the Ricardo Rojas Cultural Center bear his name today. His death was very premature, at the age of 30, a victim of AIDS.
For the tribute, artists, colleagues and friends of “Batato” were summoned with the purpose of celebrating his life and his poetry. The writer and poet Fernando Noy, creator of the oral biography of Batato Barea “I swear to you by Batato”, and the singer Maria Granafounding member of Argentinian tango and prominent personality of culture. Also, the musician and actor are added Esteban Morgadoperformer and playwright Damien Dreizikthe former “Garlic prawns” maria jose gabin and the performer Peter Pankwho co-directed the documentary “The Sweet Potato Movie”.
On the other hand, for the date, various cultural spaces of the Abasto will present programming in situ, giving life to every corner of this area of what was its artistic enclave in those days back from democracy. the tano bastard (Jean Jaures 715) will present at 6:00 p.m. “Tide Bat”Meanwhile he SOMA Cultural Space will offer at 6:40 p.m. “B-Batting Us”in the thrush (Zelaya 3006) will refer to the poems and memories of his friends and guests and the closing will conclude with the “Batateque Party”.
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