Colourful minds

Students: María Paula Chao and Mariela Álvarez

Twenty four years ago a street artist created Piñón Fijo, a colourful clown who captivated children and parents. Who could think at that moment that he would become a Latin-American phenomenon? Fabián Alberto Gómez, the man under the mask, chose the name Piñón Fijo connecting his bike and his one-track mind. Like fixed–gear bicycles move easily forward, his career has moved from Cordoba streets to the whole of Latin America.

Music and respect seem to be the keys that this man, whose real face is not known, has found to delight children and stimulate them intellectually. During his shows, Piñón interacts with the young audience exchanging anecdotes with them. While many shows for children underestimate their intelligence, Piñón takes children seriously. Merging music, poetry and dance, he contributes with the development of his little fans fertile imagination.

Baring in mind that, for several years, our children´s minds were contaminated by certain TV shows which were conducted by blond and brainless girls like ‘Las trillizas de oro’ or ‘Panam’, Piñón came to our screen to give the young audience a new breath of fresh air. With an innovative and funny way to entertain, the clown, through his mime routines and juggling, catches the kids´ attention and teaches through play.

Furthermore, the clown employs recreation to amuse toddlers and adults. He has designed a musical instrument, called by himself `Saxo Cloacal´, that accompanies the singer in his shows. Not only with his sax and his guitar Piñón fascinates his young spectators, but also over the lyrics of his songs he transmits didactic messages. For example, the importance of cleaning the hands and teeth, taking care of the environment or learning the vowels.

The originality of Piñón´s acting and music too, helps infants to leave out the pacifiers and the baby bottles. Children could drop them through games, interacting with the clown and listening songs like `Basta de mamadera´ or `Nene, dejá el chupete´. Of course, this is something that parents really appreciate because sometimes it is not easy to convince a child to leave behind the dummy and the feeding bottle.

With a great sense of humour, Piñón Fijo embodies a funny and joker clown who spreads joyfulness in each play, show and presentation in public. He has won through his sympathy and his magic young and old people´s heart. Definitely, he contributes significantly to enrich our children´s mind.