Form and feeling

Photographer documented dance company in 2014 in commemoration of its 50th anniversary.

By THE ARCHIVE
The Batsheva Dance Company (photo credit: GADI DAGON)
The Batsheva Dance Company
(photo credit: GADI DAGON)
In 1964, Baroness Batsheva (Bethsabée) de Rothschild founded the Batsheva Dance Company, a collective of Israeli and international dancers for contemporary performances.
Its first artistic adviser was Martha Graham until choreographer Ohad Naharin assumed the role of artistic director in 1990. The Batsheva Dance Company is one of the most internationally acclaimed companies, performing all over the world for thousands of people.
Photographer Hadas Parush documented the dance company in 2014 in commemoration of its 50th anniversary.
Her photographs show the dancers during rehearsals, performances and their down time in the studio. Israeli-born Parush studied at Loyalist College in Canada and today works for the photo-news agency Flash 90. In addition to photographing breaking news, Parush is a talented storyteller who takes the time to explore in-depth features to highlight Israeli society. In her photographs, Parush makes use of natural light and contrast through shadows to accentuate the dancers’ form – uniquely capturing their emotions and movements in still photography.
Batsheva Dance Company was featured in the third issue of The Archive magazine. 
The Jerusalem Post Magazine has partnered with “The Archive,” a digital, international, documentary photography magazine founded by Ilia Yefimovich and Uri Lenz. Every other week, “The Archive” will submit photo essays showcasing some of its most compelling and innovative works. Visit the website at www.thearchivemag.org.