Noam Griegst:
“Double Vu”
A Photo book on Royal Danish Ballet
Photographer Noam Griegst has followed the Royal Danish Ballet for a longer period and has published his images in the book “Double Vu”.
The book covers mainly back stage and rehearsal photo from the first period of Nikolaj Hübbe’s directorship with the main focus on John Neumeier’s “Romeo & Juliet”, Nikolaj Hübbe’s “Napoli” and a Balanchine program, consisting of “Stravinsky Symphony in 3 Movements”, “La Sonambule” and “Symphony in C”.
The stars of this book is the elegant Amalie Adrian, who is also his wife, Gitte Lindstrøm. Christina Michanek and Sebastian Kloborg. Adrian is mainly photographed in repose, downplaying her elegant line, which perhaps means more to a balletomane. The photos of Michanek and Kloborg are mainly from “Romeo and Juliet” including some very stunning portraits of Kloborg’s Nureyevnesque features.
Griegst also includes a high number of shots of Sebastian Kloborg as Golfo. Or rather, my deduction says it must be Kloborg as there is so much make up on play that the dancer cannot be identified.
The quantity of the book is staggering and some editing would probably had helped. For me the enjoyment is to a very high degree related to the books documentation of bygone years. Seeing favorate dancers in favorite roles and seeing dancers whose careers at Royal Danish Ballet was cut short pulls at my heartstrings.
Some stills of former principal Yao Wei seems to show her character better than anything she done on stage. Kristoffer Sakurai nursing an injury. Griegst’s photographs of Jody Thomas brings out her beauty and determination. Some shots also captures company stars Alban Lendorf and Sebastian Haynes as young colts.
One photo in particular stands out. Character dancer Flemming Ryberg in full make up and costume as Peppo in “Napoli” talking backstage with a young dancer in modern nothingness shows how far RDB has developed – and still the old and the modern coexists.
Unfortunately, the book is not printed and bound as well as deserved. Many two-page photos loses theirs center to the tight bounding. Among the casualties is a photo of Silja Schandorff as the Somnambule and one of Nehemiah Kish in a jump. I have pulled the cover off and that helps somewhat toward getting more of the intended material.
The book can be bought online at www.griegstpublishing.com and pictures can be viewed at www.doublevu.com and https://www.instagram.com/doublevu_book/
Photos (copyright (c) Noam Griegst):
- Ensemble
- Nikolaj Hübbe and Christna Michanek
- Nehemiah Kish
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