By: Gabriel Pacheco
Publisher: Yeowon Media, Korea, 2020 (My version: "Il lago dei cigni", Logosedizioni, Italia, 2021)
Format: Hardcover with fold-out
An etheral and magical retelling of "Swan Lake"
“Illustration is a painting that allows us to see everything that we sometimes cannot see and that the freedom of imagination helps us to recognize”. This quote is by Gabriel Pacheco, the artist behind "#백조의호수" ("Swan Lake"). The book is part of a series where he explores classic fairy tales and theatrical pieces, reinventing the well-known stories into images. Several of his interpretations, including this one, are wordless.
"Swan Lake" is Tchaikovsy´s maybe most famous work, performed by ballet companies all over the world. The story of Prince Siegfried, Odette, Rothbart and Odile is filled with both romance, tragedy and drama. The music is legendary, and the ballet is beautiful. Transforming all of this into a book is no easy feat, but Pachecho´s style of illustration is perfect for it.
Each of the illustrations in the book is a full spread. The muted colors of ochre and brown is mixed with brigh pastels of blue and yellow. Pacheco´s mix of collage and painting creates a world that feels etheral and magical. Those who know the ballet might feel like watching a performance on stage: the backgrounds of the images turns into beautiful sets that the performers enter and exit from - it almost feel like they are going to start dancing. The last spread/fold out is really special. The forest and the characters turn into what looks like a dragon´s head, and then opens to a beautiful illustration of the prince and Odette.
For those who do not know the ballet, the book might serve as a wonderful introduction to the story. But it also works as a silent book in it´s own right. Pacheco makes room for all kinds of stories to be told an explored. The royal surroundings, dramatic nature, beautiful swans and the evil figure of Rothbart can turn into so many different tales.
Pacheco was born in Mexico. He has recieved numerous awards in several different countries, and has also been nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. His use of light and shadow, and his way of expressing the poetry of art through his illustrations is very unique. We will review more of his books, so please stay tuned!
Picturebooks are a great way to introduce art to children. With "Il lago dei cigni" you can introduce the art of both ballet, music and illustration in one book.
