Biographie
Joan Armengol played a pivotal role in the development of contemporary Catalan circus, leaving a significant impact across all fields he engaged with. Firmly believing that "the circus is the great metaphor of life," he embraced the philosophy: "From life, theatre; from theatre, comedy."
His students recall his generosity, passion, and the blend of technical precision and personal respect with which he imparted knowledge. They also remember his "clown's one, two, three" principle, which states the clown's work unfolds in three stages: 1. Receive. 2. Feel. 3. Explain.
Following his passing, the Joan Armengol i Moliner Circus Days (October 22-24, 2004) were held, fostering the establishment of the Association of Circus Professionals of Catalonia (APCC). His artistic influence was further celebrated through eight editions (2005-2012) of the "L'1, 2, 3 of clown" festival in Tiana, organized by Can Boter and De Mortimers. Reflecting Joan Armengol’s eclectic spirit, the festival featured music, theatre, poetry, circus, dance, audiovisuals, visual arts, parades, and workshops across various disciplines. In 2012, the festival earned the Sebastià Gasch FAD Applause for Emerging Creation for its diverse artistic vision.
In July 2019, Tiana unveiled a monument dedicated to Joan Armengol in the park named after him. Created by Mario Tarragó, the sculpture consists of nine folding scissor chairs arranged vertically in groups of three, facing the sky.
Television, Cinema, and Theatre: As co-founder of Comediants, Joan Armengol performed with the company from 1971 to 1977. With Comediants, he launched the weekly children's show Terra d'escudella (1976) on TVE Catalunya, appearing during the 1976-1977 season. From 1977 to 1979, he co-hosted the same program alongside Anna Maria Vidal, and together they presented Quitxalla (1979) on TVE Catalunya until 1981. In 1978, Joan Armengol, along with former members of the disbanded La Tràgica company and members of the Ziasos and S'Estornell groups, founded the "autonomous theater production center" Art Quic Titèric Can Boter in Tiana (Maresme), focusing on street parades and performances. From 1985 onward, they specialized in crafting masks, giants, and tadpoles. In cinema, he appeared in La batalla del porro (1981) by Joan Minguell and The Heifer (1985) by Luis García Berlanga. On television, he portrayed "Christian Rivière de la Frontière" in several episodes of TV3’s Judes Xanguet i les Maniquins (1988).
Among his other ventures, Joan Armengol developed an animation project for Barcelona’s Poble Espanyol (1989-1990), which led to the formation of the company Triplolocus. In 1994, he founded the poetic-musical group Toc Mut (1994-2000). He contributed to the creation of the Rogelio Rivel Circus School (1999), where he taught clowning and mask classes, while also directing circus shows and performances. In 2002, he participated in Albert Saguer’s Vivancos 3.
In 2004, Sebastià Gasch received a posthumous FAD Applause honoring Joan Armengol as "co-founder of the Rogelio Rivel Circus School, instructor at the Ateneu Popular 9 Barris Youth Circus School, and mentor to teachers.
