Ballerina Combines Intricate Beauty of Russian Ballet and Architecture

darian volkova russian ballet architecture

Russian photographer and ballerina Darian Volkova takes an innovative approach to exploring St. Petersburg’s architecture with her new ballet photography series Ballet House Tales. While she typically shoots backstage life at the ballet, these stunning images prove that her photography is not limited to straight reportage.

By placing ballerinas in these these decadent houses, she fills the space with a new spirit. Each dancer melds into her surroundings, molding herself to the surfaces. Serpentine poses snake around spiral staircases and arms stretch to mirror the circular windows, while Volkova captures it all by framing her characters within the architectural elements.

The dancers’ bodies seem at home within these walls, almost acting as living sculpture. With names like Mademoiselle Maison and The Enigma House, each house has a history that shines through in the expressive movements of the dancers.

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darian volkova house ballet tales

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Darian Volkova: Website | Facebook | Instagram

All images via Darian Volkova.

Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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