Dani Bermúdez and Fidel de Tovar: “We are very happy to have brought the manga style to the streets of Barcelona”

Dani Bermúdez y Fidel de Tovar son un equipo creativo conocido por sus trabajos de estilo manga. En el sector del cómic saltaron a la fama gracias a su obra Arashiyama, con la que ganaron el premio al Mejor Manga Nacional del Salón del Cómic de Barcelona. Su siguiente trabajo, Liquid Memories, obtuvo el mismo galardón un año después, siendo los únicos autores en ganar el premio dos años consecutivos.

Dani thinks that her colleague Fidel is “the very definition of discipline, inspiration, and passion”. For his part, Fidel is convinced that Dani is “a long-distance runner who listens attentively, eager to continue learning, and with a highly developed sensitivity that allows him, not only to capture in ink the world we create, but also to breathe life into it”.

Lo que está claro es que juntos forman un tándem perfecto que rebosa talento y que no duda en salir de su zona de confort para crear obras tan espectaculares como la que encontramos en el muro de obra NN de Diputació, 420. Un mural de gran formato que han diseñado para NN Wallery y en el que han dejado plasmada su propia idea de Barcelona.

How does your story begin...

We have known each other for over 12 years and although back then Dani was already drawing and Fidel was already writing; it took us more than nine years to start working together.

It all started on a trip to the Angoulême comic festival that we took together. During the seven-hour car journey, the seed of what would be our second published comic together was sown. But more importantly, the foundations of our teamwork were established.

We could say that it took us a while to realize that we needed to work together, but once we started, the communication between us was so fluid that the creative process was greatly simplified.

As a creative team, what does each person contribute to each project?

Fidel is the mind that always has something brewing. He is in charge of graphic design and it is often from him that the ideas we later work on emerge. As his training includes documentary photography, he is able to visually convey to me what he is thinking.

Dani not only produces and adds color to the final work but also enriches the initial concepts by contributing new perspectives and ideas that breathe true life into the works.

When did you receive the commission for the mural for NN Gallery? What did you think of the idea?

It came to us through Norma Editorial and we were as surprised as we found the initiative incredible. We thought: Bringing the world of comics and illustration to the streets, adding a splash of color to the city and turning it into a kind of open-air museum, isn't that wonderful?

How have you represented Barcelona in 'Diputación 420'? What elements make up the composition?

Our illustration features a group of children on the famous tiles of Passeig de Gràcia painting the most significant buildings of the Barcelona skyline. It's somewhat what we ourselves were doing with the artwork.

The idea was to express the impact of architecture on the lives of those who live in the city and, at the same time, how architecture is redefined and reinterpreted through the eyes of those who observe it. We thought that representing this concept with children chalk drawing the city's most iconic buildings on the ground designed by Gaudí conveyed the idea well.

Furthermore, we introduced elements that define the city such as its multiculturalism and the blend of tradition and modernity in its buildings. We added a touch of the city's magic by accompanying the children with little monsters whose appearance is inspired by the architecture of the City of Barcelona.

What has each of you contributed to the project?

Fidel has taken care of the overall concept and creativity, and Dani has captured it all in the image, adding the idea of that magical touch provided by the 'monsters' of Barcelona that accompany the children.

Together you have brought to life the manga-style works “Arashiyama”, which won you the award for Best National Manga at the Barcelona Comic Fair, and “Liquid Memories”, which earned you the same accolade for the second consecutive year. How do you incorporate this very personal style into a large-format work?

Ever since Norma Editorial approached us for this project, we knew we wanted to tell a story with the image. Not just to create an image. Storytelling in panels is what we enjoy. In a comic or manga, of course, you have many more panels to tell the story of your characters, but as authors, we must be able to explain a story in each panel. On this occasion, one could say that we mix the magic of children and the fantasy of 'Arashiyama' with the urban setting of 'Liquid Memories'.

What does it feel like to see your work in large format?

Walking through the city and seeing that something you've created has become a part of it, even if only temporarily, is very impressive. We were also greatly surprised by the detail of the reproduction at such a large scale. Although we wouldn't mind if it stayed there a little longer or somehow became a part of the interior of the building it will give way to; we conceive of the city as a living being in constant transformation. We are happy to be a part of the city even if it's just for a moment.

Does NN Wallery fulfill its mission to improve people's environment?

Without a doubt, adding color to the city always contributes. As we have discussed, turning something like a wall, which is essentially a barrier to access a space, into an artistic installation gives that wall a meaning beyond its mere functionality. It creates anticipation, generates a topic of conversation among neighbors and passersby, and has an impact on their lives. Moreover, it integrates the new construction into the neighborhood even before it is finished.

We are very happy to have brought the manga style to the streets of Barcelona and to have an impact on the city's life for the duration of the installation.

Have you changed your perception of urban art after participating in the project?

For the urbanites within us, urban Art is essential in cities. It's a way to transform them temporarily, to breathe life into them and fill them with color. Fortunately, works by artists like Okuda San Miguel, Mina Hamada, or Pez Barcelona have done a lot to popularize it. So just in case it wasn't clear: we wouldn't mind repeating the opportunity to bring color to the city.

How would you define Barcelona?

Barcelona is fusion, color, joy, and uniqueness. It's a city with a distinct personality. And we're not saying this just because we grew up there or to use a cliché, but because in all our travels, we have yet to find a city with a similar character.

For you, is Barcelona a city that appreciates art in general? What about urban art?

Art is a hallmark of Barcelona's identity. It's no coincidence that Modernism and Noucentisme flourished there. We have no doubt that urban art, which until now was concentrated in a few locations, is finding its space. Initiatives like NN's add to the murals by Mina Hamada, Keith Haring, and the facades of the startups in Poblenou, bringing life and color to a city that needs art to maintain its identity.

And finally, any projects you can tell us about?

We have several projects in development. At the moment, the one we can talk about is our upcoming comic together. After delving into the bamboo forest of 'Arashiyama' and the streets of 'Liquid Memories' London, we will take a stroll through... Barcelona. And, as it could not be otherwise, architecture will play a vitally important role in it. We hope to be able to tell you more soon!

We invite you to discover all the works of NN Wallery on our website!