Jul
02
I just came home from my second full day at the gallery (and my first day alone) and the Gala 2008 performance of the Staatliche Balletschule Berlin at the Staatsoper. Two separate works were performed: Serenade, a classical piece complete with mid-length, light blue tutus and orchestral accompaniment composed by Tchaikovsky, and one of the most flavorful adaptations of Romeo and Juliet I've ever seen. It was an inspiring performance (in that I am now inspired to sit up straighter and to maintain a body that can withstand a leotard). Some dancers were, of course, better than others. The two female leads were really quite phenomenal, and I found Romeo and Julia's chemistry very convincing. Considering the Berlin Philharmoniker won't be playing in town this summer, I will make up for it with dance (and theater!), whether it be ballet or something more modern. I'm contemplating purchasing advance tickets for the Martha Graham Dance Company; the first performance is already sold out. Tomorrow I work again at the gallery, and the Sugimoto retrospective opens at the Neue Nationalgalerie. Thursdays are also when the city museums keep extended hours -- and, I think, even waive the entrance fee. So that's a plan. Friday and Saturday I am volunteering for Tuned City (tunedcity.de), a festival on architectural spaces and their acoustics. There's another soul party Saturday night.
Last weekend I was the party photographer, and I made a lot of good shots. Good enough to make me happy and want to give it another go. I was a little nervous, considering that I wasn't working with the best camera and that people move very quickly when they dance to soul music. One of the most important things I learned that night was that Germans do not like getting their picture taken. I'm accustomed to going to dance parties where people not only expect, but very often try, to get the photographer to pay them lots of attention. It's a whole lot easier to shoot people who are posing for you.
Friday and Saturday were both big nights for gallery openings, and I was kept busy until about midnight. Free drinks, easy conversation, what's not to love? Well, perhaps being obligated to stand in one room, blinded by the freshly-painted white walls, and being talked at by strangers and smiling until my lips lose their composure and fall into a grimace.
go for the martha graham!---->
one of my fave photos of all time.
http://www.afterimagegallery.com/morgankick.jpg
sounds like you are living the life, miss!