THE WINGS OF THE STAATS

The ‘Wings of the Staats’ is a series that captures the intimate and transitional moments of artists from the Staatsballet Berlin. Not only is this a series from a perspective seen from within this opera house in Germany but entitled intentionally as a double entendre for these images capture dancers both from the wings in the theater and also shows where wings would be if we as humans had them, the scapula and back. I personally find the most beauty in exhaustion and or awkward moments…but to see an image that we know and recognize but it being presented in an unusual way that demands us as viewers to relearn what we think we already know? For me this is the most exciting and eye opening, for it broadens our perspective of the world.” Photo captured in Berlin by Dean Barucija.

S C A T T E R
Swans post both performance and song as Shoko Nakamura’s birthday was this evening. Staatsballet sang to her “Happy Birthday”.

S W A N • Q U E E N
Shoko mid show.

I L L U M I M A T E
Preparation of pointe shoes and a tutu illuminated by stage lights makes for an eerie sort of beauty.

D R I P P I N G • S W A N S
Staatsballet Berlin ballerinas drenched in sweat but poised.

G A T H E R
Notes for the ballerinas in the left wing. The chain of tutus is satisfactory to the eye.

F E E T and R O S I N
Dancer prepares for stage.

T E S T
Odette ( Shoko) tries multiple shoes during the stage rehearsal at Deutche Oper for Swan Lake.

T E S T • I I

H A Z E
Dancers before the breathtaking curtain rise that is 4th act Swan Lake.

S A R A H
A big swan watches her little counterparts in second act.

F I X • M E
Dancer snips loose satin off tip of pointe shoe before running to dance.

H A P P Y • B I R T H D A Y