SONIA MELNIKOVA ART PHOTOGRAPHY

In large open-air ancient Greek theatres, classical masks with intensely over- exaggerated facial features and expressions were used to bring the characters' faces closer to the audience to help convey the drama. The highly stylized classical Japanese dance-drama Kabuki theatre is known for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers to enhance the impact of their expressive act. In classical ballet, emotions are expressed through body movement combined with evocative music. The art of pantomime lets go of sound altogether but employs both body and face to communicate the meaning. But what's left when facial expressions as well as words are taken out of the equation? And the movement itself is captured only as a still image? In this photographic series, in collaboration with performance artist Marty Cate, I try to explore the visual richness of body-only language, the most effective communicator of unspoken emotions.