Mil Besos

Ruven Afanador: Mil Besos - Throckmorton Fine Art

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.