HenryLeutwyler:Ballet

AfterfouryearsofcollaborationwithchoreographerPeterMartinsandtheNewYorkCityBallet,SwissportraitphotographerHenryLeutwylerwasgrantedunprecedentedbackstageaccesstotheCompanyduringthewinterof2012.Theresultingbook,Ballet,reflects30yearsofhispassionfortheartform,realizedin30daysofphotographing.Leutwylerinhabitedtheshadowsofthestageandbecame"invisible,"recordingimagesofthedancersusingnothingmorethanhis35mmLeica.Hewasabletoexploretheperformers'immediatespace,affordingamoreabstractportraitoftheirfrenziedexistenceinanartformpredicatedonperfection.Thisclothboundmasterpieceisanhomagetothegrittyworldbehindthecurtain.WithimpresarioLincolnKirstein,GeorgeBalanchineco-createdtheNewYorkCityBalletin1948.Whatfollowedisarguablyonethemostrevolutionaryperiodsinballethistoryasheredefinedtheartform,introducingabstractworksperformedwithasignaturespeed,musicalityandprecision.UndertheleadershipofPeterMartins,thesearethehallmarksoftheCompanytothisday,andthisbook-withitscandid,impressionisticactionshotsandexquisiteuseofcolor-servesasabeautifultributetotheNewYorkCityBallet'sculturalandartisticpresence.Thisnew,slimmereditionofBalletexcludesthesectionofadditionalperformancedocumentation.BorninSwitzerlandin1961,HenryLeutwylermovedtoParisin1985,whereheapprenticedwithphotographerGillesTapieandrapidlyestablishedhimselfasaneditorialphotographer.Adecadelater,hemovedtoNewYorkCity.Today,Leutwyler'scelebrityportraitscanbefoundinthepagesofVogue,VanityFair,TheNewYorkTimesMagazine,TheNewYorker,EsquireMagazineandTime.HehasphotographedthelikesofMichelleObama,JuliaRoberts,TomWolfe,RihannaandMartinScorsese,tonameonlyafew.LeutwylerlivesandworksindowntownManhattan.