Mil Besos

Ruven Afanador’s portraits of renowned flamenco dancers to comment on humanities duende, (soul).

Flamenco dancers peak in their careers when classical dancers are stepping down because it's believed that only life-worn women have the experience needed to convey the complex emotions required by the dance. Photographer Ruven Afanador has dressed his models in extreme costumes, all black, and imitated the bold black and white makeup reminiscent of classic Greek tragedies. To enhance the graphic effect further, he has photographed the women in the stark, sunlit Andalusian wilderness. The simplicity of the set allows us to focus entirely on the dancer's faces and bodies as they enact the dramatic narratives these ancient dances describe.

The tragic history of humanity is not a story we like to reflect on, and in some cases, censorship stopped the written accounts from being heard. These stories have power because they allow us to confront and expel our demons-or to soothe or incite one another. Flamenco performers tell the story of outcasts and peasants who trace their origins back many centuries to the Punjab in India and a mixture of ancient Gypsy, Andalusia, Greek, Jewish, and Arabic cultures. The passionate dance, when done correctly, is meant to free the dancer's duende or soul. Afanador has used several celebrated Spanish dancers as his models, many of them in their sixties.

Actress Rossy de Palma and dancers Antonia la del Pipa and Pepa de Molina transformed by Afanador's eye and art direction into magical spirits deranged by the horrors they reveal. The carefully arranged display of the large black and white photographs creates a visual rhythm that allows you to feel the movement and hear the shrieking, clapping and stomping. As captivating as his elegant images are, Afanador has unleashed the flamenco's turbulent duende and allowed us to witness the secret purpose of this beautiful dance that passes on tragic memories, keeping alive critical histories and traditions.