I am definitely intrigued by this massive stage that we previously blogged here at OTWOMD. During the month of June, the stage rose at Cuatro Vientos as skeletal frames which we thought were bleachers for the world youth day participants. Then last month, July, we blogged about how it was already taking shape. Seeing that the tall wall-like structure were not bleachers but instead a gigantic stage where the Papal Mass will be celebrated, I am now officially intrigued by this mysterious stage. The massive stage, seem to resemble a gigantic waterfalls which has been coated with white paint and has been covered with what seems to be a large crumpled carpet. I do not have any official word from the organizers if the stage is finished or will it still be undergoing another paint job considering that there are 10 days left before the official opening of the event. But I magnified this official photo of the stage released by wyd organizers and I discovered that the the surface of the stage is really like a crumpled carpet.

Magnified photo of the surface of the stage: Is it a crumpled carpet? A snow blizzard? A brain fissure? who knows?

I have three assumptions about this mysterious massive stage:

First, it is painted white probably because it will serve as a contrast background to what would take place on the stage. It would be easier for a person hundred of meters away from the stage to see what is happening in front if the color of the backdrop is white.

Second, That massive wall which measures the length of a soccer field will somehow serve as a projection screen during the Youth Vigil. A perfect white screen when everything in the area is dark.

Third, that stage is definitely built and designed for massive human performance because immediately before the gigantic wall is a large floor area which can accommodate thousands of performers all at once, lined up at the stage from end to end.

The floor area just before the gigantic wall is so wide that thousand of performers can perform at the stage all at one from end to end, heck you can even hold a 200 meter dash over it.

But whatever the purpose and rationale behind the design of this stage, it definitely caught my attention and imagination. I will leave the rest of my assumptions till August 21, when the official event at Cuatro Vientos commences. For now, we are assured that the Spaniards does not disappoint, especially when history tells us that Barcelona Olympics in 92 was the only Olympics in history that blew the mind of viewers all over the world when an Olympic archer fired an arrow to light the Olympic cauldron. And now we are probably heading in that direction too, at least in terms of the element of surprise. I will keep you updated about this stage if I get some information.

How about you? What do you think?

Viva Madrid

Below are the photos taken yesterday, August 5, 2011.

PS. Aside from the official WYD Website, OTWOMD will also be hosting its own Live Feed Video Streaming in case the website’s server  will be overloaded with users which I am definitely sure will happen. The feed is courtesy of MadridTV.

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*Some photos are courtesy of the Comunications Department of WYD Madrid 2011