Everyone who attended the New York City Ballet's DANCERS' CHOICE evening on Friday was greeted by Company apprentices who handed out complimentary booklets of photographs by Kyle Froman. In his book IN THE WINGS Kyle used the advantage of his status as a Company member to tell us - in words and pictures - what a day in the life of a NYC Ballet dancer is like. His unlimited access (and the fact that his subjects are also his friends of long-standing) gives IN THE WINGS a perspective that an 'outsider' could never attain. I guess I expected the newest photos to carry on that 'backstage glimpse' feeling but instead Kyle has now produced a series of unusual images which not only highlight the beauty and allure of the dancers but also reveal the photographer's keen imagination. Over the years that I've been going to the ballet I have seen some truly spectacular photographic documentation of what is in essence an elusive art form. In these photos, Kyle seems to extend the possibilities of what the camera can tell us about the dancers and the dance.
The great appeal of these images for me - beyond the fact that these are the dancers I care about most - is the way Kyle uses the Company's home as a setting and brings his colleagues out from their dressing rooms and studios and lets them take over the New York State Theatre's promenades and the auditorium itself. The warmth and wrap-around feeling of the City Ballet's performing venue has always played a big part in their appeal for me. I simply love being there. Kyle shows us the Company totally inhabiting the house that Mr. B built.
When I saw these pictures I thought that they needed to be seen by more than the 2,000+ people who were at the gala. When I asked Kyle via e-mail if I could feature his work on my blog he not only replied in the affirmative but generously sent me the shots directly which are a lot sharper than the ones I had scanned. I hope you all will enjoy them as much as I do. Thanks, Kyle! (Click on the images to enlarge).
The images are amazing. They are like artwork, truly. Each one is unique and interesting and beautiful in it's own right. I love them.
Posted by: Laura | June 29, 2008 at 05:07 PM
From someone who couldn't be there---thank you so much for sharing these! Kyle is extraordinary and so is your blog!
Posted by: Gratitude | June 29, 2008 at 07:55 PM
I have looked at these photos over and over since Friday night. I think a limited amount of these photos (in a special pamplet or as prints?) were offered on Friday night too.
I am now angry with myself for not trying to get (or bid on) a copy (for such an important cause too) that night. They aren't for sale a the gift shop or on line (I checked).
Posted by: Deborah | June 29, 2008 at 08:18 PM
Philip, thanks for posting these. I, too was struck by the beauty and artistry of these photos and was also thinking about trying to find out if I could buy a print - till I remembered that I don't have an inch of wall space left in my apartment!
I'm glad that they will now be seen by a larger audience - they're breathtaking!
Posted by: Susan | June 29, 2008 at 09:36 PM
Thanks so much for posting these. I was so sad to miss Dancer's Choice and even sadder when I heard these pictures were given out. :-(
So glad to see them, how beautiful and creative. Also, thanks for the great description of the evening!
Posted by: Sandi | June 29, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Those pictures are absolutely fabulous. The evening sounds really really fun - what a great way for an audience to get to know their local company and to build relationships, to keep audiences coming back. I wish more companies would do this!!
Posted by: jolene | June 29, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Thank you for posting these! I didn't receive a copy when I walked in, so it's great to see them here. They are beautiful. A true inspiration!
Posted by: M | June 29, 2008 at 11:27 PM
Phillip you're a Prince! Thanks for posting these! What Kyle does with these photos is amazing! He's a true artist with a unique and moving vision of "our" dancers. There's so many little details to look at and tickle the imagination in each photo. When I first looked at the one with the ladies reclining on the red theater seats I thought they were all in their Symphony In C tutus, but they are wearing different tutus from different ballets. What a fun little detail.
I echo everyone else's hope that these photos become available as prints or posters. I want them on my wall asap!
Posted by: perky | June 30, 2008 at 08:47 AM
I hope Kyle reads all the enthusiastic comments.
Perky, I did notice all those different tutus in the 'ballerina' photo which makes it all the more interesting.
Posted by: Philip | June 30, 2008 at 09:16 AM
what beautiful and unique photos! I love the imaginative use of the building, which is the dancers' second home. Although the style is very different from 'In the Wings', in my uneducated opinion, you can see the influence of the House of Balanchine on Froman's photography. They are highly composed / choreographed, yet quirky and each dancer retains his or her individuality. Isn't that the NYCB ethos?
Posted by: Jade | June 30, 2008 at 01:49 PM
Hey Philip, gosh these pictures are stunning. What creative ideas and what beautiful images!!! I love them! Are there any more?
Posted by: Lisette | July 04, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Hi Lisette! I'll show you the booklet when you get back to NYC.
Posted by: Philip | July 05, 2008 at 10:34 AM