An Act of Collaboration
The story revolves around body movements, the comfort being in one’s skin, the authenticity of the persona revealed, and the process of collaboration. The year of the pandemic opened a new stream for creativity that emerged from the strong passion to conceptualize new projects. While performing arts are prohibited to take place before a live audience, performance is redefined and created behind closed doors.
The outcome is, like in this case, choreography that meets fashion photography and allows the merge of different spheres. Frangipani speaks about collaborative work that enables each participant to add a layer of meaning or enhance with a visual element “You need someone who will throw the ball so you can hit it back. Like a good game of ping-pong. The better the player, the better the game.”
Franka Marlene Foth, a choreographer, performance curator, and director together with Frangipani Beatt, a fashion photographer came to work on a mutual project bridging between their two distinct aesthetics. The story is a dance - moves caught in a moment in a carefully planned setting - the monochromatic deep blue background and the lighting on set intensify styling decisions. “It feels very light and effortless. I feel like in this shoot she portraits me and my 'behind the scenes' brain and movements I created on spot.” - Franka Marlene shares her interpretation and perception of the shooting day. We speak with both Franka Marlene and Frangipani to shed some light on creation and creativity during uncertain times.
‘My main tool to create with is - bodies. A lot of my creativity comes from being with people and moving with other dancers. The permanent physical connection I normally have while working is something I really miss.’
— Franka Marlene Foth
How did the numerous lockdowns throughout the past year affect you as creators? What is the most prominent thing you discovered about yourself or your approach to creative work?
Franka Marlene: As you know, my main tool to create with is - bodies. A lot of my creativity comes from being with people and moving with other dancers. The permanent physical connection I normally have while working is something I really miss and, of course, to move and dance with my artist colleagues. Not knowing when I can create again for a live audience really bothers me, that's where I get the kick from what I love to do.
However, I discovered one important thing again: to take things slow and take time to develop new ideas without time pressure. That really turned out positive for me as I felt a bit like on a forced vacation from work-life. Now, I have time to think about my next steps and new orientations. I was able to dive much deeper into some topics and thought processes. The most prominent thing I discovered is probably that I am craving to go live again. I am working anyways so much in video productions and I love film-making, but it's just not the same as when you have a moving, sweating body in front of you. I can’t wait.
Frangipani: Personally, it was a privilege to have space to reflect. Creatively, it was draining and frustrating. I was living in limbo, longing for fresh air - hungry to create again. Everything in reach was uninteresting or uninspiring. But I had time to dive into my archive. Time to soak everything up like a sponge. I start with ideas that I scribble into my notebook with sketches like a blueprint and then bounce the ideas around to further them. My vision evolves from there. When I start planning I search for people who share that passion for a project, who will further the vision through their own creative contribution and talent - we thrive off one another.
‘You need someone who will throw the ball so you can hit it back. Like a good game of ping-pong. The better the player, the better the game.’
— Frangipani Beatt
In a project, which is a collaboration (rather than an editorial with a vision usually of one person) the contribution comes from both sides. Tell us about the thought process of connecting choreography and photography as your professional spheres. What was planned, and what originated as spontaneous decisions?
Frangipani: Most projects in which other people are involved are collaborations in one way or another - even if they start with one vision of one person. You need someone who will throw the ball so you can hit it back. Like a good game of ping-pong. The better the player, the better the game. Marlene and I have worked on several projects together and we are in sync. Some things don't have to be said because there is a mutual understanding, respect, and appreciation of one another's work. The same goes for Antonio, I admire his understanding of light and ideas. If you are lucky enough you will not only find someone who will realize your vision but further it.
Due to Corona, I had to shift my concept. The work with Marlene and Antonio opened up and involved spontaneity on all our parts. I still see some original concepts in these pictures, but that process became central to the session.
Franka Marlene: We share the same sense of aesthetics, which also brought us together in the first place. It plays a big role in our collaborations and is the main thing in our work relation, I think. I love her photographer's eye and we function really well together as she is super interested in my choreographic approach and body postures. Our aesthetic aspiration is what brings us together in recurring studio sessions. There is always a quiet understanding of what we want to do, which I think is beautiful.
This project stemmed from a spontaneous idea of creating together again with more time on our hands. We talked about moods, colors and current inspirations, she makes suggestions I liked and the other way around. We were not sure of the main approach or outcome, but as soon as we started working we were fusing somehow. It feels very light and effortless. I feel like in this shoot she portraits me and my 'behind the scenes' brain and movements I created on spot.
How would you describe the contrast that is created between polaroid and the rest of the images in terms of the atmosphere and the main feeling?
Franka Marlene: The photoshoot involves monochromatic and bold colors from styling decisions to the background, while another important player on set is light. Light exaggerates and emphasizes the deep blues and reds; it also works to create softness in the black and white images.
Frangipani: To be completely honest, I wasn’t done shooting when I was running out of color film. I wasn’t ready to let go of that high, so I switched to the polaroids and B&W film.
‘Light can make or break a picture, it is so under-appreciated. For me, it is an essential part of the creative process. Old movies are an inspiration with their precise, delicate use of light, shadow, and accentuation of color.’
— Frangipani Beatt
The photoshoot involves monochromatic and bold colors from styling decisions to the background, while another important player on set is light. Light exaggerates and emphasizes the deep blues and reds; it also works to create softness in the black and white images. How does light enable a creation of a character and the story?
Frangipani: Light can make or break a picture, it is so under-appreciated. For me, it is an essential part of the creative process. Old movies are an inspiration with their precise, delicate use of light, shadow, and accentuation of color. The way light is set can change the whole character of the story, the protagonist, or even objects of importance - just like the camera framing.
‘What I like is that she captures me in my most authentic self. I can see it in the final pictures. There is no hierarchy, just passion and ambition to create.’
— Franka Marlene Foth
Which moment from this project is most precious to you?
Franka Marlene: The most precious for me is that we understand and nurture each other creatively. Even when we have different opinions we always find a way to communicate them in the right way and find balance in what we do. To me, that is really rare to find in our professional spheres. What I like is that she captures me in my most authentic self. I can see it in the final pictures. There is no hierarchy, just passion and ambition to create.
Frangipani:The moment my preconceived notions fell away and I saw everything falling into place.
