A radioart piece that explores pain and resilience through voice
Discussing Rocío Calvo’s work is no easy task. Her radio pieces, far from being conventional, function as containers of multiple languages and structures, where each element finds its place within a sound construction that challenges traditional logic. EVOCARE (2019), released several years ago, is an experimental exercise that resembles a matryoshka: a box containing many other boxes, each holding a story interconnected within the whole.
In this game of nested boxes, each fragment reveals new connections and resonances, shaping a narrative that transcends sound alone to become a profound emotional experience. It is not just about understanding the piece but feeling it, allowing oneself to be carried away by the sensitivity that Rocío imbues in every detail.
The voice as a central axis
In EVOCARE, the voice plays a fundamental role, unfolding in multiple dimensions. On one hand, it becomes a sound instrument itself, where timbre and tone evoke emotional landscapes. On the other hand, the voice manifests as a bearer of meaning, transmitting written words with precision and strength. This duality transforms the narrative continuously, guided by the artist’s interpretation and the diversity of nuances she imprints.
Historical context and social sensitivity
The piece delves into the complexity of women’s history in Spain, particularly regarding dictatorships, civil rights struggles, and the quest for emancipation. The physical departure of a beloved woman serves as a trigger to reflect on the social textures that emerge from mourning and memory. Calvo employs technical resources to question traditional sounds, breaking canons and establishing new forms of sound coexistence.
Humor as an artistic resource
EVOCARE also stands out for its use of humor, an essential component rarely explored in contemporary sound art. Rocío manages to elicit smiles through wordplay and situations that satirize social customs, achieving a balance between emotion and bewilderment.
We recommend listening to it here.