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What inspired you to create art and become an artist? (events, feelings, experiences...)
Since childhood I was interested in watching rhythmic gymnastics and synchronized swimming competitions, I was fascinated by the grace and incredible abilities of the athletes.
One day I decided to try to enroll in the rhythmic gymnastics section, but at that time I was already about 8-10 years old, and I was refused, because usually children start at the age of 4.
Later on I did various amateur sports and dances, I learned a lot about physiology of movements and my own body.
I came to photography courses in 2016, when I realized that I wanted to understand the device of my first DSLR camera and learn how to shoot better when traveling.
I studied different genres (portrait, family, interior and reportage photography) without planning to become a professional photographer.
In 2017, when I was preparing my final paper for a photography course on the theme "the path to my dreams", I decided to make one of the shots on the theme "student and coach", inviting my adult gymnastics coach and an athlete from the gym to shoot.
After that I realized what I wanted to shoot!
I started with gymnasts, later I met ballet and circus performers. In this unexpected way my childhood dream came true.
What are your artistic background, techniques and subjects you have experimented with so far?
I create artistic photographs of athletes and dancers in a minimalist style. I only work in photo studios on cycloramas. I like to carefully arrange the light to emphasize the relief and lines of the body, it's very important. I use mostly pulsed lighting, but sometimes natural light from the window.
I show the beauty and aesthetics of the lines of the body, formed by many years of labor and perseverance. I pay special attention not only to lighting, but also to technical perfection - correct ballet positions, clarity of lines and utilizing the body to the maximum.
What 3 aspects set you apart from other artists, making your work unique?
1. I specialize in athletes and dancers, I know all the peculiarities of shooting ballet dancers, gymnasts, circus performers, but at the same time I do not forget about the aesthetic side.
2. I use minimal retouching, trying to anticipate everything on the shoot.
3. I work only in a minimalist style, using simple light, laconic clothes and "graphic" props.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I am inspired primarily by my models. When I find the right person for me on social media, I immediately start generating ideas. I look for references, being inspired by minimalist and fashion photographers, and some thoughts even come from subject photography.
What is your artistic approach? What visions, sensations or feelings do you want to evoke in the viewer?
I ire dancers and athletes! And I try to make my viewer feel the same way. I want to surprise the audience with the possibilities of the human body, with the beauty that is achieved through hard work. I also show that minimalism can be amazing, that simple compositions are very interesting to look at in detail.
What is the process of creating your works? Spontaneous or with a long preparatory process (technical, inspiration from art classics or others)?
I try to prepare for every shoot. I make or finalize the props myself, choose the room for the idea, choose the model carefully. But sometimes I come to the shoot and realize that the poses I had in mind won't work. And then the magic of working together with the model begins - poses are thought up together or everyone offers their own poses. Symbiosis of ideas gives birth to beautiful things!
Do you use a certain technique? If yes, can you explain it?
The main specificity of my work is that it is important to speak the same language with the dancers, to know the physiology of the athletic body and how to use it.
Are there any innovative aspects in your work? Can you tell us which ones?
When photographing dancers, I use not only my artistic vision, but also try to make sure that the technique of poses and elements is also at its best (feet and knees, beauty of lines, gracefulness of hands, apparent lightness). So that the photos are ired not only by people far from ballet, but also by professional dancers.
Where do you produce your work? At home, in a shared workshop or in your own studio? And in this space, how do you organize your creative work?
I photograph in trusted photography studios that have the lighting and props I need. For example, few places have the ability to safely hang circus props (air ring, canvases).
Does your job make you travel to meet new collectors, to fairs or exhibitions? If so, what does it bring you?
At the moment I haven't had any exhibitions yet
How do you envision the evolution of your work and your career as an artist in the future?
I hope to organize exhibitions as well as spend more time on my own learning new techniques of shooting and processing. I would like to work in other countries as well.
What is the theme, style or technique of your latest artwork?
The fragility and strength of the ballet body. Shooting in a minimalist style.
Tell us about your most important exhibition experience?
At the moment I haven't had any exhibitions yet, but I am participating in black and white photography and minimalism competitions.
If you could create a famous work in the history of art, which one would you choose? And why ?
I think I would choose one of the works by sculptor Auguste Rodin, such as "The Kiss". This work is inspired by his love for Camille, his assistant and model, so it is filled with such sensuality and emotion that it permeates through the viewer.
If you could invite one famous artist (dead or alive) to dinner, who would it be? How would you suggest he or she spend the evening?
I would invite the photographer Klaus Kampert. I would like to chat with him over a glass of wine about how he went from being a sculptor to becoming a photographer and how such a foundation in working with the human body helps him.
Olimpia Gaia Martinelli 
