Dance for You Magazine is a German Magazine. I was very pleased and happy with the review of my book by Volkmar Draeger. Translation in English below.
Englisch translation
BOOK: "Where the Spirit Meets the Bone"
Monique Belier's Body Impressions
Monique Belier seeks those fleeting moments in the transition between movements when dancers are unaware of their actions. In one of her bass-colored commentaries on otherwise empty pages. "Where the Spirit Meets the Bone." The title, inspired by a poem from the late American poet Miller Williams, who passed away in 2015, encapsulates Belier's artistic essence—connecting mind and body, depicting the essence of human movement, and narrating stories through the language of the body.
A 2023 graduate of the Photo Academy in Amsterdam, Monique Belier reassures viewers that she, like a young farmer adapting to nature, captures the essence of the moment. Her photographs are not posed but rather capture fragmented moments, dissolving into unique body parts. Some shots evoke the spontaneity reminiscent of François Truffaut's "Wild Child," whether it's the flowing hair in the breeze or the tense stillness within the growing grass. The body, always integrated into its surroundings, appears against the backdrop of a woodland or a masonry. Hands speak, bodies bend and twist, legs stretch between the ground and a tree, and one foot connects with the earth while another points toward an object, telling a story of shattered narratives.
The portrayed subjects wear clothes, yet the focus is not on the attire but on the ritual's revelation. The photographer captures what is essential, uncovering the nuances revealed in "Tanzer am Strand" or the woman pressing against a peeling wall in "Elea." Belier's double-blessed photos, predominantly in black and white, offer a photographic panorama of discreet sensitivity. The book, featuring almost 120 illuminated pages and showcasing nearly 50 photos, spans a range of moods, from contemplation to agitation, encapsulating the diverse forms of expression that characterize Belier's work.
In this collection, Belier, connected to the third decade of the 21st century, brings forth the essence of the past two decades. The photographs, arranged with a keen sensibility, convey a variety of expressions. The book, a testament to Monique Belier's artistry, invites viewers to delve into the silent stories captured behind the lens.
Volkmar Draeger