Underbody Poem: The Air is the second part in a series of films in collaboration with performer Dimitrii Staev. Our work is centered on exploring the transformative power of placing the human body in a natural state within untouched environments. The goal is to liberate the body through spontaneous, intuitive movement that transcends conventional constraints. While the previous film was shot entirely underwater, this piece focuses on the interplay between water and air. Here, the performer rediscovers himself through a visceral dialogue with the reef landscape, experiencing this connection with nature as one might experience intimacy with a lover.
We pose a question: how often do we truly engage in a direct dialogue with our bodies, free from the constraints of logical thought? When was the last time we felt the freedom to move without being preoccupied with how we appear? Modern urban life has distanced us from ourselves, imposing pre-programmed movements and behaviors that sever our natural relationship with our bodies.
The culmination of this meditative journey sees the performer merging air and water, surrendering to the spontaneous impulses of his body. Our films are an ongoing experiment, where we embrace intuition and trust our inner senses, entering a state beyond familiar patterns. One of our main objectives is to decelerate the viewer's perception, inviting them into a slower, deeper engagement with the image. This process occurs organically the moment the viewer steps into the space of perception.
During the filming, we act simultaneously as observers and conductors, attuned to the rhythms of the landscape and immersing ourselves in the organic flow of nature. This immersion allows the body to enter an active, meditative state of presence, devoid of external constructs or pretense. Through this approach, we aim to slow down time itself, creating a visual canvas that unfolds as a film of moving paintings.