Tatyanna Wilke

The Dying Swan

Using found objects - an antique wooden cheese crate, light fixture and piano stool - I created a spinning zoetrope that captures photographs of myself dancing an excerpt from the famous ballet Swan Lake - choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. This particular scene from Swan Lake takes place during the final act, when the swan princess Odette lies down and dies. A tragic yet elegant ending to a classic ballet can metaphorically tell the story of my own dance journey, one whose ending felt like a literal death; of hope, dreams and potential. Through this interactive piece, I aimed to share my personal story with the public, turning something melancholic into something beautiful.