Collaborations

Performing arts has different phraseology, different emphases than visual arts. I have learned over the past several years how even a fraction of an inch in the foot, or a fingertip position makes a great deal of difference in ballet if the vocabulary and syntax of the art are to be correct. In photography, we have a different vocabulary. Whereas ballet is a three-dimensional art, photography is two-dimensional. Where ballet, like many other performing arts, is fleeting, photography is more permanent. So, it has been a wonderful experience for me to work on a special project with the Festival Ballet Providence dancer Vilia Putrius and to photograph altogether twelve dancers over the course of more than one year. We took the first batch of photographs on June 12, 2013, and the last, on 7/31/2014. After 2,000+ photographs and almost that many hours of selecting, editing, and making them ready to print I am pleased to present the Ballet Off Stage collection which will be unveiled on October 5, 2014, at the Festival Ballet Providence studios at 825 Hope Street in Providence. This is the result of a collaboration between dance and photography. Read on …

Vilia and I shared a common interest in taking ballet off stage. Since I got involved with Festival Ballet Providence, I wanted to photograph dancers in more “natural” settings. Vilia shared the same interest and we collaborated on this special project that allowed me once more to bring photography and ballet together. During the upcoming special event “Collaborations” you will see and experience the result of this collaboration. Our efforts took us to many corners of Rhode Island as well as many corners of some historic houses where their owners welcomed us into their homes as a backdrop for our project.

Save the date, October 5, 2014, at 5:00 PM for a special event where we will unveil the result of this over a year journey. You will get a chance to meet the members of this collaboration, from the dancers to our gracious guests, from the main collaborators to our supportive friends, and see the fabulous ballet photographs that were brought to life by the fantastic dancers and the art of photography that makes these fleeting moments permanent.

In addition to meeting the collaborative team, you will also have the unique opportunity to witness these talented artists at work, by watching an open class and rehearsal by the FBP company dancers. The evening also features complimentary food from five acclaimed local restaurants, Aspire, B. Pinelli’s Simply Italian, Camille’s, Circe, Mill’s Tavern, as well as wine pairings courtesy of Rhode Island Distributing.

Tickets are $50 per person and space is limited to 150. I will very much appreciate your support of FBP by coming to the event and then bidding on the photographs that will help raise funds for the FBP. Entire proceeds of the sales of the exhibited photographs will benefit Festival Ballet Providence. You can book your tickets online before they sell out.

Event: Collaborations
Featuring: Ballet Off Stage photographic collection
Date: October 5, 2014
Time: 5 PM
Location: 825 Hope Street, Providence, RI

Here are a few photographs from several photo sessions. Thanks to my friend and collaborator Jim Turner for most of the photographs below, Jan’s are marked, all the rest are Jim’s photographs.