“My early training in theater was profoundly shaped by the works of Alfred Jarry and the authors of the Theater of the Absurd, as well as by contemporary art. These influences instilled in me a deep appreciation for experimentation, interdisciplinarity, and the radical possibilities of performance.

Jarry’s subversive approach in Ubu Roi, with its grotesque humor and anarchic spirit, challenged conventional storytelling and theatrical form. His work introduced me to the power of absurdity as a means of questioning authority, tradition, and social norms. Similarly, the plays of Samuel Beckett, Eugène Ionesco, and Jean Genet —key figures in the Theater of the Absurd— reinforced an understanding of performance as an exploration of existential themes, disjointed narratives, and a defiance of logical structures. Their work demonstrated that theater could embrace ambiguity, challenge audience expectations, and experiment with language in ways that resonated beyond the stage.

Then, my engagement with contemporary art expanded my perspective on performance as an interdisciplinary practice. The fluid boundaries between visual arts, movement, and theatrical performance allowed me to see the stage as a dynamic space for innovation. Influenced by artists such as Robert Wilson and Marina Abramović, I began to view performance as a holistic and immersive experience, incorporating elements of time, space, and interactivity.

These formative influences extended into my experimental work in filmmaking. Inspired by the anti-realistic tendencies of absurdist theater and avant-garde art, I sought to break conventional cinematic structures, integrating fragmented narratives, surreal imagery, and unconventional character portrayals. My work in film became an extension of my theatrical roots, embracing the same spirit of exploration and boundary-pushing that Jarry and the absurdists championed.

Ultimately, this fusion of absurdist theater and contemporary art fostered a vision of performance that transcends rigid categories. It encouraged me to approach storytelling with a sense of play, to challenge established norms, and to see art as an ever-evolving dialogue between disciplines. This interdisciplinary foundation continues to inform my creative work, shaping an approach to filmmaking, visual theater, writing and visual art as experimental practices. It all embraces the transformative challenges posed by AI (Artificial Intelligence), XR (Extended Reality), and emerging technologies in the age of cyberspace. But that marks a new chapter in the story.” — Pedro Valiente

It All Started in Theater