This picture of Svetlana, taken in 1992 at the European Championships in Nantes, is one of my all-time favourite gymnastics shots. The name of the photographer is Ewa Bednarska.
Every single detail of Svetlana's position reveals the intense forward momentum and harmony of the movement at the moment the shutter clicked. The angle of the head and eyeline communicate a sense of coiled energy that also reveals itself in the position of the arms and the clenched fists. Even the swirling design of the leotard echoes the cursive, distinctive shapes that the gymnast created.
What was remarkable about the routine as a whole was that the gymnast barely stopped moving. There were no static poses or contrived arm waving. The leaps flew through the air without any suggestion of bounce or rebound. Every single action created a coalescent expression of the music.
You can watch Svetlana here as she won the silver medal all around at those Championships. She had her hands down on the final tumble, but it was a rare mistake from the Goddess that hardly detracts from the impression of such a heady routine. The routine is a masterpiece of consummate artistic gymnastics, and this wonderful photograph captures its essence.
Well said.
ReplyDeleteIn our opinionated and passionate discussions about "artistry," the die-hard fans all agree that there are some untouchable immortals. Svetlana Boguinskaia is a goddess of the sport. Her work transcends our pitiful attempts at analysis.
Thank you for posting this! This has always been my favorite floor routine. Even with the fall, I love this floor. You said it best: "The routine is a masterpiece of consummate artistic gymnastics, and this wonderful photograph captures its essence." I agree!
ReplyDeleteRussiafan
I am an old timer and generally agree with your comments on artistry. Gymnastics has just changed. I do not like it very much anymore. No sense arguing about individual gymnasts, the whole philosophy behind the sport has changed. It is a sport for accountants, not artists.
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