Cocoon Room
2020
Photomedia
Cocooning is a vital stage in the metamorphosis of a larva into a butterfly, symbolising transformation and growth. In a similar vein, dancers often retreat to practice alone after their training sessions, akin to the cocoon stage. This solitary practice, essential for refining their craft, while inevitably involves a degree of loneliness and introspection.
When observing a female dancer closely, the physical strain is evident: muscles contract and strain in ways that can seem almost pathological. As they dance, sweat cascades from their foreheads, all the way trickling down to the floor, is a silent testament to their exertion and dedication. However, these moments of intense physical effort and pain are often invisible to others. In such moments, the strained and contorted female body exists outside conventional definitions of beauty and ugliness, revealing instead a more honest intersection of strength and vulnerability.
Cocoon Room represents this essential but challenging period of pain and isolation. It serves not only as a necessary path of hardship but also as a refuge from the outside world. Within this space, dancers undergo a process of intense personal growth, confronting both the physical and emotional demands of their discipline.