Artists’ Statement

Todo para ti [Everything for you] is based on two shorts from Invisibles: Voces de un trozo invisible de este mundo by Juan Diego Botto (2013): (1) “La carta” narrates how two African children froze to death in the landing gear of a plane on their to Europe; (2) “Mujer” describes the life of a single mother who recounts her experience as a refugee in Spain to her son. In our rendition, the protagonist, Fodé Koita, is a Guinean child, hidden in the landing gear of a plan, in search of his mother. Fodé appears split into two beings: his physical body and his mind. The mother appears as an isolated character while she tells her story to her son, who she imagines by her side and who we bring to life with a puppet.

The mother had to leave him behind when she took refuge in Europe. But what did she end up finding in that dreamed continent? At first, nothing more than abuse and dehumanization, but, little by little, she discovered her purpose. The only thing that was missing was her dear son, Fodé.

Our puppet symbolizes all those refugees who were silenced or lost their lives in their search for something better. Todo para ti is a tribute to the richness found in the life of a refugee, to their dreams, their hopes, and their blissful moments.

This work is dedicated to all those who have had to fight for a better life.