Dance The Light Away with Luis Alberto Rodriguez.

Words: Leen Abu Aisheh

Dancing consists of tenaciously chosen structures of human movements which, alongside rhythm, help on building a narrative. Dancing is linked to photography just like colours are linked to art. Luis Alberto Rodriguez, New York born and raised creative, has managed to depict this link between dancing and photography using the human body as his key tool. His photography is occupied with lyrical forms and twisted silhouettes; shedding light on emotions revealed through various body movements and interactions. He uses the camera as an instrument to establish certain notions and convey dialogues whilst providing a rare reflection on the shape of the body.

Luis’s first series called Patena focuses on using diverse materials to traverse identities and express confrontation. He places the human body in the centre of the frame evoking timelessness in addition to a singular emotional condition. Faces are not depicted to place emphasis on the idea of questioning identity. By doing this Luis also gives spectators the chance to contribute and ponder rather than remain inactive

In his second and ongoing series Spectacular Home shot mainly between Haiti and the Dominican Republic - where his family is from - Luis tries to link the past with the present.

The series includes several figures that echo identity and other cultural suggestions, which have been forgotten in the Dominican Republic. He uses the instance of a birthday party as a cultural signifier to create a sense of confusion using mixed materials such as cake icing, allowing his models the chance to personify the celebration, becoming part of it.

After fifteen years of being a dancer, Luis manages to apply his knowledge in dancing on the photographs he captures through the camera lens portraying particular moods. The self- taught photographer lets the body of his subject matter lead the direction of his images; hence little attention is given to his model’s faces, which are repeatedly covered with pieces of cloth. Some of his models are his own friends, others are strangers and some are dancers who share a parallel dialect with him. Numerous materials are utilized in his work from paper to fabric in addition to vivid colours and patterns, conveying his ideas through the development of his own unique language.