Nadine Dinter's photography is characterized by its dark, nude, and often unsettling beauty, blurring the lines between reality, nudity, and fiction. Her work has been featured in exhibitions and publications worldwide, earning her a reputation as one of the most exciting and innovative photographers of her generation.
Let's uncover the inspiration behind this extraordinary showcase as we delve into the mind of the talented artist herself, exploring the themes, emotions, and ideas that drive her creative process.
Join us for an exclusive conversation with Nadine Dinter about 'TORSO RELOADED II' that will soon take place in Arles!
What inspired you to create “Torso Reloaded II” as a continuation of the exhibition cycle you started back in 2012?
The idea to create a photographic homage to Andy Warhol’s “Torso” series from 1977 initially came up when L.A.-based model Benjamin Godfre and I were hanging out during breaks between interviews for an artist whose exhibition I was curating at the time. Interestingly, it took me a decade to develop the series and put together a proper show, which finally took place in 2022. The experience of showing the works, reviving the spirit in which the first and the other images were taken, and engaging with visitors about it was so fulfilling that I immediately resumed shooting new models right after the conclusion of the “TORSO RELOADED” show in Berlin.
Can you share more about the process of capturing the new torso portraits featured in your upcoming exhibition, especially in different locations like Berlin, Paris, and Arles?
Compared to the 2022 segment of the series, which I shot mainly between January and April 2022 in Berlin at the same hotel suite as in 2013 (with the only exception being a model I photographed in Cologne), the latest part unfolded between November 2022 and November 2023, featuring a diverse array of people in several different locations. Two male models were referred to me through a friend and photographed at a photo studio in Berlin, while the renowned Italian model Sofia met with me at the original hotel suite for her session. Returning to this setting always feels like a homecoming, considering it has been 12 years since my initial work there – amazing how time flies! In contrast to the straightforward Berlin shoots, the two in France presented unique challenges. One involved a close friend, whom I captured amidst a photo festival at her hotel suite in Arles. The other – Lucas – I flew in from Lille, and we spent a fun day in Paris, taking photographs and talking about his tattoos, his serpent tongue, and model life in general.
How do you approach representing a diverse range of body types and perspectives in your artwork, particularly in showcasing both male and female torso images?
Compared to the first big show, where I adhered closely to Warhol’s body type, I aimed to broaden my scope for this new cycle. I wanted to include different body types, age groups, and genders. I’ve long felt that photographing a flawless 20-year-old lacks a certain challenge. So, I sought to expand my horizons, exploring the beauty inherent in experienced bodies – and what an enriching addition it made to the existing torso portraits I had captured until then!
Could you elaborate on the significance of using body embellishments such as tattoos and piercings to convey personal history in your “Torso” series?
The first torso portraits possessed a certain purity, as Benjamin had only a few tattoos back then. Funnily enough, when I reached out to my network and discovered the first three new models – Alex, Traegi, and Benjamin K. – I found that all three were extensively tattooed. In a sense, showing their tattoo art and body adornments replaced the need to depict their faces. The signs, numbers, mystical figures, and symbols etched onto their bodies serve as their defining characteristics, adding a unique dimension to their photographs. Additionally, during the photo sessions, I invited each model to share insights into their body art, its significance, and the motivations behind their tattoo choices.
In what ways do you aim to portray intimacy and narrative depth through your torso portraits without overt sexualization?
In general, nude photography can be quite a tricky genre, as it navigates the fine line between portraying nudity with grace, trust, the appropriate distance, and respect, as opposed to potentially sexualizing and objectifying a model who is paid to pose nude. Speaking solely from my perspective, I have always aimed to create alluring images that captivate viewers without leaving the models feeling like they are giving away too much of themselves.
How has your background in practicing photography since 1991, and previous exhibitions, influenced the evolution of your artistic style and thematic focus over the years?
That’s a great question! For as long as I can remember, I have been drawn to nude and sculpture photography. When I was younger, I’d capture images of friends and lovers, and I also loved exploring Berlin’s cemeteries. It wasn’t until I began traveling to Paris and photographing at Père Lachaise and other amazing graveyards that I realized the parallels between the naked human form and the artful marble and stone sculptures. It was around 1999 when I made this profound connection and decided to focus my photography on these two genres. So, my interest goes back quite a long time... and I can’t wait for the upcoming show in Arles and future photo sessions!
What led to your collaboration with BISOUS Concept Store for the upcoming solo show in Arles, and how do you think integrating your work with the store’s design will enhance the exhibition experience for viewers?
A good friend of mine, Boris Eldagsen, had a show at BISOUS in 2021, and I met the owners back then. It occurred to me that curating a show there could be a cool thing. So, while already on the way to France, I contacted the owner, Marc, with a short concept and asked for a meeting to present my idea.
I was extremely lucky that we immediately clicked and discovered that the idea of staging a Warholian presentation, where curated artworks, customized design elements, and a limited capsule collection come together, would be something we would both enjoy.
BISOUS is all about design, arty objects, and local artists’ works. It aims to create memories and offer beautiful objects you just can’t resist taking home with you. So, the challenge was to blend my photographs with the existing interior design of the store. After many weeks of brainstorming and trying things out, I will now create a special intervention in both windows, plus at the end of the store, and also present several classically framed photographs in two different sizes.
I can’t wait to see the visitors’ reactions and to open the show on July 2, 2024 at 6 pm!
TORSO RELOADED II
1 July – 31 August 2024
33 Rue de la République
13200 Arles
France
Interview by Irina Rusinovich