From the moment you engage in conversation with Ashley Taylor, a profound sense of dedication permeates the air. His earnest approach to his craft, to Art in its broader sense, and to the very essence of life, leaves a lasting impression. This seriousness is particularly striking when you consider you are conversing with a young artist who still has a vast expanse of his career ahead.
Our meeting unfolded in a charming café nestled in Vienna’s historic first district, a rendezvous we had anticipated for some time. There’s a certain serendipity to such encounters, a belief that events transpire when the timing is optimal, when ideas have matured and are ripe for exploration, much like exquisite fruits ready to be savored at their peak. This notion of perfect timing resonated deeply once more.
“Ashley,” I began, adopting a casual tone, “when did your journey into dance commence?”
“It all started when I was nine years old,” he recounted. “You see, I was quite involved in gymnastics during my school years. Fortuitously, we had a teacher with a deep appreciation for culture… well, to cut to the chase, at the age of 11, I gained admission to the Royal Ballet School, where I remained immersed in the world of ballet until I was 19.”
“And what transpired after your time at the Royal Ballet School concluded?” I inquired.
“I auditioned here in Vienna, and the esteemed Manuel Legris welcomed me into the company. That pivotal moment occurred back in 2010!”
This transition resonated deeply with me. I recalled witnessing Ashley Taylor grace the stage in his earlier years, already struck by his remarkable physique – the elongated lines of his legs and arms, and those undeniably beautiful feet. A natural endowment, a gift bestowed upon a select few. However, our designated topic for this meeting was his captivating Photography, not solely his dance career.
“And when did your fascination with photography begin to take root?” I steered the conversation.
His eyes lit up with a spark of enthusiasm – we had arrived at the juncture he had eagerly awaited. “When I was 12 years old,” he revealed. “You see, ever since childhood, Nature has held a significant place in my life… that profound connection is what initially drew me to photography!”
In those few words, a comprehensive narrative unfolded before my mind’s eye. The distinction between his more structured dance photography – capturing stage performances, rehearsals, and studio sessions since the 2014/15 season – and his more intimate, artistic endeavors became apparent. In this personal work, he seamlessly merges his perceptions of aesthetics, movement, and the natural world.
“I understand…” I responded, momentarily lost in contemplation. It felt as though the disparate pieces of a complex puzzle were beginning to coalesce.
As he found himself in his element, he elaborated, “For me, in the realm of photography, there’s this incredible allure in condensing a multitude of visual impressions into a singular focal point! It’s akin to a form of meditation – my personal connection to the unfolding scene before me – distilling an entire narrative into a fleeting moment.”
“I believe I can comprehend that sentiment quite profoundly,” I affirmed.
“Indeed, it’s an alternate mode of expression, a language I would define as a ‘photographic point of view.’ It’s about encapsulating a complete story within this ‘final product’,” he clarified.
He further added, “It’s a performance in itself, even if it’s ‘merely’ a photoshoot, I would argue. That’s precisely why Nature holds such significance in my work: it strives to prompt contemplation – to encourage viewers to decipher the implicit ‘subtitles,’ to truly understand…”
“As I’ve observed over recent years, your work ethic is remarkable. You are consistently present in virtually every performance I attend… and your rehearsal photographs: they constitute an extensive chronicle of the creative process in motion. Upon closer inspection, one discerns, through the subtle variations in the dancers’ attire, that these images span a considerable timeframe…”
“Yes. I firmly believe in the power of persistence,” he concurred. “Even though the creative process itself remains somewhat elusive, resistant to forced progression…”
And how accurate his assessment is. His deep-seated understanding of Dance warrants emphasis. Just days prior, I had received a collection of photographs from a Balanchine performance in Europe. It was immediately evident that these images were captured by someone lacking a fundamental grasp of ballet’s nuances.
This is precisely why I hold Ashley Taylor’s unique synthesis of Ballet Knowledge, photographic technique, and distinctive perspective – his capacity to convey a condensed narrative within a single frame – in such high regard. It is an invaluable asset.
For our discerning audience, we proudly present a curated selection of photographs by Mr. Taylor himself. We invite you to immerse yourselves in this captivating exhibition:
