photographing the boys of the bolshoi ballet Former dancer and photographer Kurtiss Lloyd visited the Bolshoi Ballet School, one of the oldest and most esteemed ballet companies in the world, to capture its unThis article was originally published by i-D UK. Earlier this summer, British photographer Kurtiss Lloyd traveled to Moscow for the first time. Confronted with the harsh realities of stark, urbanized Russia, Kurtiss began searching for clues about Russia's decadent past. It was my first visit to Moscow. I was staying in the city center, where the surrounding area was under constant construction. Compared to the majestic buildings of Russia's great past the new buildings looked harsh and foreboding. ique beauty.

                                          photographing the boys of the bolshoi ballet

 

                                                    Vladislav Kozlov, 23, Saratov,

What does dancing mean to you?
Dance for me is a means of expressing one's emotions and inner experiences. Sometimes it can be painful, but ballet dancers cannot live without dance.
What's the most challenging aspect of what you do?
The most difficult thing about being a professional ballet dancer is overcoming ourselves, as well as the everyday physical labour. This profession requires sacrifices, sometimes you have to sacrifice a personal life.

  Ilya Beresnev, 26, Germany

If you weren't a dancer what would you be?

I don't know, it's almost impossible to imagine myself not doing ballet.
What advice would you give to dancers hoping to follow in your footsteps?
Dance is life. If you don't live by it, you shouldn't do it.

Alexei Putintsev, 20, Moscow
What does dancing mean to you?
It's about freedom. Freedom of movement, reincarnation, and playfulness. Dancing is an opportunity to break free.
What is the most challenging aspect of what you do?
With dancing you need to have incredible patience, in order to endure the physical pain and trauma that comes with it, but also the emotional pain of not getting a part. The life span of a dancer is very short, so you have to keep your strength up. There will always be dancers to replace you so you must work very hard.

Alessandro Caggegi, 21, Manchester
Why do you dance?
I dance because there's something indescribable that fills my body when I'm on stage, an adrenaline or buzz when you're "in the moment." We are actors as well as dancers.
If you weren't a dancer what would you be?
Definitely a musician. I played in brass bands until I left for Russia, and also have my diploma as a pianist from the Victoria College of Music in London. I still try to keep in practice as much as possible.

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