Symbiotic Classicism

A baroque-inspired photoshoot with humanity and motion.

Dancers & Models: Alexander Hille & Pier Loup
Assistance: Anna-Sophie Meyer
Concept, Photography, Lighting & Post-Production by me.
Location: Muffathalle Munich
Equipment: Leica M10, Sony A7III, Summicron-M 90mm, Carl Zeiss Biotar 28mm f2.8, Godox SK300 (2x), Godox Octabox 120cm

The seed for this idea was planted in my brain after visiting the Art History Museum in Vienna: the beautiful sculptures you could find here were captivating to say the least. The excellent marble-work created by now long gone artists & craftsmen and the story these sculptures masterfully tell in a single pose simply remained in my mind for quite a while - and the statues were not even the reason I was there: it was a Caravaggio Exhibit I had missed to visit in Munich that I intended to catch here.
Caravaggio was famous for his masterful execution of the chiaroscuro lighting style and while looking at his paintings, with the statues still in my mind, it made click:

”Damn, these two together could be nice.”

I was already looking for a fitting topic to apply chiaroscuro before my Vienna-visit, having picked up a fascination for baroque and renaissance styles before - but not wanting to combine it with classic photographic portraiture with the intention of challenging myself and creating something different.

Further influence were shoots I had with amazing dancers during press-rehearsals (where I was the only photographer - at least COVID gave me that).
I truly enjoyed capturing their energy and intention in their every move.
After publication of these photos in the press and social media, I was lucky enough to be found by professional dancer Alexander Hille. Seizing the moment, already with a solid idea of what I wanted to do, I asked if he was interested in a shoot - he said yes and asked if his husband could also be part of it.
”Yes!” I replied, excited about the prospect of getting to collaborate with two professional dancers and improving the existing idea.

Originally I was aiming to recreate known baroque or renaissance statues with only one dancer in either a baroque environment or surrounded with fitting props: David (the Goliath one), David (the famous one), Angel with Lance or Saint Veronica by Francesco Mochi.

Gender is not something I really care about so I went with whatever spoke to me in disregard of the characters’ sex depicted in the statues and could be replicated in a realistic way.

But now, with two dancers, I could suggest a more daring and, for me, exciting idea and favourite sculpture: The Rape Of Proserpina by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

In addition we shot with coloured gels as well to add some variation and a further contemporary touch.

Before wrapping it up, we decided to create a short video with a choreography fully improvised by Alexander and Pier:

Thank you to everyone who took part in the shoot.
It could not have been possible without you.