Artist Talk "Illumination" with Tina Gutierrez

Wednesday, October 23rd, 6-8 PM

Artist Talk INFO: Tina will be discussing the underwater photography process as well as the choreography of the models. In these underwater photographs by Tina Gutierrez, the beauty in the dancers movement and their ability to overcome the challenges that the water presents can be directly attributed to their rigorous training and the ballet world culture. There is nothing quite like the unique feeling of underwater photography. It's otherworldly ability to transport us to another realm rarely seen requires physical and technical challenges to both the dancer and the photographer to create high quality, lasting beautiful images. 

Light bites and refreshments offered

Wednesday, October 23rd, 6-8 PM

Photography Exhibition “Illumination” by Tina Gutierrez: A Captivating Showcase in Partnership with FotoFocus at Eisele Gallery. September 25th – October 26th, 2024

(Cincinnati, Ohio) The solo exhibition “Illumination” will feature new works within the underwater photography series by Tina Gutierrez. The artist encourages the dancers to surrender to the embrace of the water instead of the forces of gravity. As the title infers, the exhibition will highlight the talents of the dancers while at the same time give context to the undercurrents of dance culture. These moments can only be seen from beneath the water and are so transient that only the rapid capture of the camera can preserve them.

In these underwater photographs by Tina Gutierrez, the beauty in the dancers movement and their ability to overcome the challenges that the water presents can be directly attributed to their rigorous training and the ballet world culture. The response to the FotoFocus theme of “Backstory” is a subtext within the work. Many dancers’ careers end well before they reach the age of thirty. Dancers face pressure from strict authority, highly competitive training and performance environments, and the harsh, perfectionist attitudes of both instructors and peers. While initially this can appear to facilitate success in dance - it in turn ultimately compromises the performers health. Ballet is a ‘culture of risk’ that normalizes pain and injury and encourages dancers to understand their pain in ways that both suppress and trivialize it. The negative emotional consequences, such as feelings of crisis, loss, shame, guilt and anxiety give cause for dancers to accept the often-unhealthy conventions of the dance subculture.

Image: Tina Gutierrez: Melissa, Photograph, 44 x 44 ″, Edition 3/6