The Gaze of José Val del Omar

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The Gaze of José Val del Omar is a poetic journey into the visionary world of Granada-born filmmaker, photographer and inventor José Val del Omar, whose work pushed the boundaries of art and technology.

This unique performance presents three of his silent films from the 1930s — Estampas, Vibración de Granada and Película familiar — accompanied live by classical guitarist José Vílchez. Together, image and music create a rich sensory experience, revealing Val del Omar’s lyrical vision of Granada, its landscapes and its people.

Rooted in the legacy of the 1933 Pedagogical Missions, which brought art and education to rural communities, the films capture a moment where popular culture and artistic experimentation meet. With Vílchez’s live guitar weaving through the images, this is an evocative celebration of memory, place and visual poetry.

José Vílchez is a musician, actor and rhapsodist based in Granada, where his work is deeply rooted in Spanish classical guitar, local musical traditions and the poetry of Federico García Lorca.

A graduate of the Conservatorio Superior del Liceo in Barcelona, he has worked across chamber music, folk, rock, tango, opera, storytelling and electronic music, performing at festivals in Spain, Portugal, France and Switzerland. He is also dedicated to preserving the traditional music of the Alpujarra, where he teaches workshops and continues to explore the meeting point between tradition and innovation.