Bárbara Martínez

The mission of “TrashBata” is to use multi-media performance art to think about the problem of plastic in a new way. The “bata de cola” is a long train skirt traditionally used by the female flamenco dancer in flamenco/Spanish dance. In this piece, instead of the usual skirt made out of lively ruffles, bright colors or polka dots, a bata made out of trash follows the dancer with every movement. Will we ever escape plastic bottles, plastic bags, six-pack rings, plastic utensils, and other permutations of this toxic material that we humans blindly over-manufacture and overuse?

TrashBata was launched in 2020 with a grant from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, and was first performed via livestream on October 30, 2021 at the studios of Creative Cultural Center, NYC thanks to a grant from New York Foundation for the Arts City Artist Corps.

Visit the TrashBata YouTube channel to see highlights of past performances and learn more!

What is “TrashBata”? (for kids)

“TrashBata” is a dance theater performance that speaks to the environmental problem of plastic. The “bata de cola” is a long train skirt traditionally used by the female flamenco dancer in Spanish dance. In this piece, instead of the usual skirt made out of lively ruffles, bright colors or polka dots, a bata made out of trash follows the dancer with every movement. Will we ever escape plastic bottles, plastic bags, six-pack rings, plastic utensils, and other permutations of this toxic material that we humans blindly over-manufacture and overuse?

“Only mass social movements can save us now. If that happens, well, it changes everything.”

-Naomi Klein

Traditional dance with a ”bata de cola” is an intense play between the dancer and that which weighs her down, chases her and continually reappears in a never-ending love/hate dynamic. The art of dancing with the “bata de cola” is like a bullfight with oneself, an intense kind of internal struggle. Choreography, music and poetry in this piece explore the themes of cause/effect, vision/blindness, freedom/restraint.

“TrashBata” was created in 2020, thanks to a Creative Engagement grant from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. Additional funds from NYFA City Artist Corps made the launch performance possible. Because of the Covid Pandemic, the first performance was live-streamed from the studios of Arts Flamenco at St Veronica’s Church in the West Village.

Further development of “TrashBata” has grown to include audience participation, inviting the audience to join the experience with their voices, evoking the sounds of water and highlighting words that embody a message of inspiration. The audience experiences a deep kind of listening, a feeling of group momentum and the power of collective intention. 

This project has a symbiotic relationship with the photography of the visionary, Alejandro Durán, as well as other photographers and videographers. His thought-provoking photographs for us to grapple with the difficult question about the impact we have on our world.