Dance In Close-up

Ballet inspires me. Human beings have the capacity to express themselves through many art forms; but when it comes to dance - and especially classical modern ballet - I am always amazed by that unbelievably elevated form of expression. It's so precise and so incredibly skilled; I admire that enormously. - Photographer and filmmaker Erwin Olaf The fact that the photographer is looking through the camera lens means they have a different perspective from looking directly at the figure. That is voyeuristic. The camera can do something that the audience member can't: zooming in for a close-up. - Choreographer Hans van Manen The grand master of Dutch dance; Hans van Manen; celebrates his 90th birthday this year. That has given rise to international celebrations by leading ballet companies with the Hans van Manen festival from 8 to 29 June 2022; the exclusive publication Dance in Close-Up and the exhibition of the same name in Galerie Ron Mandos in Amsterdam from 19 June to 17 July 2022. From the 1970s to the 1990s; Hans van Manen was not only one of the world's leading choreographers; but also an internationally acclaimed photographer. It was during this period that the then very young photographer Erwin Olaf met the famed artist; who immediately took him under his wing and introduced him to the world of the visual arts and studio photography. This book celebrates their 40 years of friendship; with a photo series in which Van Manen directs moments from his choreographic career; recorded with the utmost precision by Erwin Olaf. With text contributions from the authors Nina Siegal and Michael James Gardner.