Culture and Leisure

Filmmaker Paula Ortiz’s Creative Universe Comes to Life in Paintings and Drawings at the Paraninfo

From the initial void and the driving role of poetry to the construction of the final image, the new exhibition at the University of Zaragoza’s Paraninfo explores the key elements of Zaragoza filmmaker Paula Ortiz’s creative universe. “Paula Ortiz. Int. noche / Ext. día,” curated by Alberto Castán, professor and director of the University of Zaragoza’s Culture Area, opens this Wednesday.
Filmmaker Paula Ortiz’s Creative Universe Comes to Life in Paintings and Drawings at the Paraninfo

The exhibition offers a journey through the creative process Paula Ortiz develops in her films. The display is organized around paintings, drawings, storyboards, objects and a series of audiovisual installations that unpack some of the key concepts in her filmography.

Collaboration with Jesús Bosqued, responsible for the concept art of all her projects, is essential to this process. His work makes it possible to begin building the films visually even before they exist. The exhibition thus portrays not only an auteur’s career, but also a working method built by four hands.

Bosqued’s creations for Ortiz’s universes are being presented in an organized form and with an identity of their own for the first time. Paintings, drawings and storyboards are joined by several props, official posters and the books that inspired each project, as well as twenty-four audiovisual installations exploring recurring concepts in the director’s various films.

A BOOK THAT GOES BEYOND THE EXHIBITION PERIOD

The exhibition is accompanied by a book co-published with Prensas de la Universidad de Zaragoza. It was conceived not only to ensure that the project endures beyond the exhibition period, but also to put into words what the galleries convey through images. This is particularly relevant in the case of a filmmaker whose work originates precisely in words and literature. The volume brings together contributions from specialists in film, art history, literature and cultural criticism.

Several related activities will also take place alongside the exhibition. The first cycle of the Film Classroom for the 2026-2027 academic year will focus on discovering some of the film references that have inspired Paula Ortiz. Free guided tours led by curator Alberto Castán will also be available, with groups limited to 30 people and prior registration required.

About this article: Originally published in Spanish by AragonDigital.es and—following a selection process by our journalists—made available to the international audience of AragonDaily.com. Both newspapers belong to companies within the ARAGON DIGITAL GROUP.