This genesis portrait photography collection is an expression of women’s freedom at the end of a cycle. The ethereal moment of innocent joy occurring in between closing one stage in life and opening a new, unknown one.
Giovanna Martinatto was Principal Dancer at Ballet Nacional del Sodre (Uruguay) for 10 years. During that period she wasn’t allowed to do nudes, so these are the first nude photos she did as soon as she retired in 2017.
- Series of 15 1/1 NFT Photos
- Former exhibitions
- Press
Giovanna is the mother of a teenager. She got pregnant at the beginning of her career as a ballerina. During this shooting, she told me that raising his son was the biggest motivation for her professional growth, and still it is.
We met while shooting a fashion campaign. It was my first campaign with a dancer, not a model. Then I discovered that directing a ballerina on stage feels like a superpower.
She recommended me to her psychologist during the shooting. And, long story short, I ended up quitting my job and moving to Spain. Probably nothing.
She was so relieved. Principal dancers are usually exposed to high levels of physical and psychological stress. Her farewell performance was memorable.
Giovanna is one of the humblest persons I’ve ever met. She wisely avoids unnecessary conflict, saving all her energy to what really matters to her.
She trusts me with no hesitation. Even when I came up with this crypto-crazy idea. Yes to all.
She makes it look so easy. Every movement appears smooth and spontaneous, but the focus is absolut. She’s in control of every muscle, tight or loose.
I don’t know how many hours we spent in the studio that day. We almost didn’t know each other and we didn’t know what we were going to do with the photos. We were just doing what we love most, with no schedule or any other context.
She calls me Lauri. But I don’t feel treated like a child when she does it. Respect is a subtle language that speaks loud and clear.
She’s effortlessly strong. Either expanding or protecting herself, under the spotlight or in the supermarket, Giovanna is grounded and aware.
She takes her time to breathe. It looks like a sacred moment of stillness in which she brings awareness to every single part of her body. And then the movement arises.
She is shy, but absolutely determined. She doesn’t need to speak about her achievements – they speak for her.
I know some secrets about her I will never reveal.
Her husband actively supports her in all her projects. He has his own brilliant career as well, but when it comes to Giovanna’s projects, he’s her most faithful assistant.
Over these years, Giovanna and I have become friends. Time is an unavoidable condition to tell what is real underneath conceptions, expectations and other illusions.
A collection of large scale, colorful prints mixed with watercolor were part of a solo exhibition in the historic Teatro Solís of Montevideo, from 2018 to 2019 – but, in this NFT edition I want her to be honestly nude, even color-naked. This is somehow a statement and proof that we are enough just as we are.
An edition of large scale, colorful prints mixed with watercolor were part of a solo exhibition in the historic Teatro Solís of Montevideo, from 2018 to 2019,
But in this NFT edition I want her to be honestly nude, even color-naked. This is somehow a statement and proof that we are enough just as we are.
Today, Giovanna leads her own Dance Company and she is a Registered Teacher of the Royal Academy of Dance (London).
The 15 NFT Photography 1/1 editions are now available on Sloika.
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