'There is such an energy that Richard brings to each and every frame and he knows how to get the best out of his subjects.'
The intensity of energy photographer Richard Rothstein brings to his images, in each and every frame as Chris noted, is one of the reasons I'm so passionate about the Manhattan artist's work. I have noted before that Richard's images remind me of some of my favorite paintings, powerful works of art full of vibrant colors, design, architecture and lives being lived. Richard's models are rarely still, they are usually in motion, leaping in the air, running, skipping, moving their bodies in rhythm with the city.
I can't think of any model who matches Richard's voltaic force more than Chris Bell. The dancer and choreographer is rarely still and each time I have featured his work with Richard, the results have been a passionate flow of motion and movement. Chris Bell doesn't pose, Chris Bell flies, and Richard captures every expressive moment.
The First time I featured Richard's shots of Chris, he was careening through Gantry Plaza State Park with the Manhattan skyline providing the background for his waterfront acrobatics. (Dance With The Devil) The following year, Richard captured Chris' winter waltz, with his dance partners, the bole of the leafless winter trees. (A Blizzarding Ballet)
For this shoot Chris didn't have to worry about frost bite, but there were other challenges in the early morning shoot. Richard wanted to play with the idea of contrasting textures, so they headed to the 191th Street subway stop, shooting in a beautiful graffiti fulled color. Chris brought along a variety of different colored tights and face masks they used to play against the vibrant art that surrounded them.
'I am working on a new project called "Youth and Death" which will debut in NYC at Dixon Place on October 25-27 and this photo project was such a mirror to what I have been working on. The play of color against the dirty subway floor and the long tunnel leading in one direction to the brightly lit sub way station and in the other... the pitch black night was a perfect backdrop to be inspired by contrast.'
Not only is there an energy equivalency within Chris and Richard's work, I love how they contrasted color and movement to match the vibrancy in the color and designs around them. The nexus between the the art and the dance is beautifully balanced with both energy level and the flow of Chris' jumps and movement.
It also can't go unnoticed how central Chris' incredible backside is in so many of the images. The butt is one of the bodies most photographic parts. This is especially true for male bodies as it provides one of the male forms only source of curves, creating a contrasting roundness to the straighter lines created by arms and legs. In addition, the gluteal muscles, not only visually and erotically stunning, are core muscles for dancers.
A dancers feet and legs take much of the pressure and weight from physical movement, but the muscles of the buttocks, pelvis, hips and thighs help to stabilize a dancers alignment. Their strength directly impacts the degree of pelvic tilt, thrust and turnout and the degree of force and speed put into each movement. Chris clearly has the core strength where it matters to push his body to the places he wants it to soar. Check more from this incredible series on page 2 HERE:
'Richard is a wonderful artist and it has been a pleasure working with him these past few years. I always love working with Richard and cant wait for our next meeting!'
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