Dina Danilovich / Belarus

"Proximity." 2015

Proximity. She looks

How is closeness measured? An understanding? By recognizing their own non/dependence on each other? Lack of distance? And what does the body of a loved one become in this tension of intimacy? Native? Perfect? Dina Danilovich's series claims that yes - her Man's ideal body is made by Her Look. Not the partner's posture, "beautiful figure", or what is commonly called attractive appearance in this period of time. And the Look of a Woman looking at a Man, the look of a Photographer looking at his favorite Model.

What happens with such a "disposition of forces"?

Her Gaze raises the partner to the conditional pedestal of perfect bodies, to the pantheon of images of classical culture. Tilt of the head, posture, certain lighting – these techniques refer to canonical images in the paintings of old masters, to the sculpture of Antiquity and the Renaissance: these references are noticeable, but not so obvious as to look for specific analogues. Culture here becomes the designation of the ideal, (that which is (was) considered beautiful), that which indicates the perfection of the Model.

At the same time, the View does not stop at one image, it objectifies the partner, examining him from all sides.

In fact, Dina does what artists usually do, creating a "beautiful face" of a woman. But the difference here is in the Photographer's position: SHE does not hide the bias of her view. SHE watches and takes pictures. This is not an abstract idealization, where the gaze tries to speed up its movement, gliding over the smooth surface of the (more often, female) body, it is an idealization of a specific body of a specific person – with all its cracks, ridges and hills. The beloved body is like a sculptural relief, like a fresco, which one wants to study in all its details, a surface, but the one on which we do not slide, but which we "cling" to with the gaze of the one who loves.

In this body, everything is equivalent and integral, there are no forbidden zones - this landscape is as natural for a loved one as an abstract "legitimate" landscape from a window.

What does HER look reveal? His vulnerability and vulnerability, sensitivity and embarrassment. Allowing yourself to be looked at is a test and a necessity that increases several times when a loved one is looking at you. Becoming HER ideal is HIS voluntary surrender.

Perhaps intimacy is the courage to show your imperfection for the sake of a loved one? Allow yourself to be Object and Subject at the same time? Those who lead and those who give way?

She looks - admires, and overthrows. He allows you to watch - keep silent, and trust.

Daria Amialkovich