Indigo Lewin is exploring a renewed sense of touch and connection, inspired by her residency at Biennale Danza.
IMAGE: INDIGO LEWIN: UNTITLED, REHEARSALS, BIENNALE DANZA 2021
Touch and tactility has brought Indigo Lewin to explore a renewed sense of connection amongst all of us. Being appointed as Artist in Residence at the 2021 Biennale Danza until 2024 by British choreographer and director Wayne McGregor, Lewin wanted to explore the sensory feeling of exchanging energy by documenting post-rehearsal stretches, the act of dance and the body language’s response to choreographed movement.
Speaking with Perfect, the photographer explains her process of shooting for her newest exhibition Indigo Lewin: Artist in Residence 21, the feelings and thoughts that unite all of her subjects, and the importance of studying and exploring your subject in a curious manner.
Angel: Indigo, what triggered the starting points towards your exhibition?
Indigo Lewin: I was invited by Wayne McGregor last summer to document his first year as director of the dance Biennale, always with an intention to exhibit the work at this years festival.
Angel: Your work speaks upon the human need for touch and connection during a very difficult time of isolation, how did you connect with your subjects and their personal stories?
Indigo Lewin: The images were shot over the 10 day duration of the festival, having the time and space to be able to interact with the dancers beyond just photographing them was a real luxury. That being said, I think the beauty of this project for me is that the subjects told their own stories, for the most part I was very much just observing from the sidelines.
Angel: What symbols and elements stood out to you in this project? Would you say there are certain elements that unite all stories together?
Indigo Lewin: I think energy and passion. It was such a wide range of people and personalities, but all united by their passion for dance.
Angel: You capture people through a deeply personal voyeuristic approach, what drew you towards that signature?
Indigo Lewin: I think what drew me to photography in the first place was it’s generous spiritedness, being told a story and really being allowed into the innermost corners of people’s lives through images. I think that’s why trying to get to know who I’m photographing, even if just a conversation is super important to me, otherwise things can feel very sterile.
Angel: What do you look forward to, personally and creatively this year?
Indigo Lewin: I’ll be shooting the dance Biennale again this summer as part of an ongoing project with Wayne McGregor and the Biennale, which I’m very excited about.
The exhibition will run from the 22nd - 31st July in Arsenale - Sala d’Armi A Campo de la Tana 2169, Venice, Italy
