fuga, fuga, fuga pe plajă

This photograph was birthed quite accidentally and spontaneously. The main subject, Daniela who is my best friend, paid me a visit in Nijmegen (where I used to study) in October 2022, which happens to be her favorite month during her favorite time of the year. Since we were young our get togethers would always be marked by photoshoots, in fact, we probably use our various photoshoots as a chronological timeline of our meetings, as they tend to take place rather rarely. Our main intention during this photoshoot was to explore Daniela's femininity, elegance and simultaneously let her exude fearlessness (these qualities are depicted by her rather grungy clothing//industrial medium set in the background, in comparison to her soft facial features and loose hair). To navigate these dichotomies, I have asked Daniela to run along the beach which adds texture and overall contrast to the unfolding action. Looking back, I believe this photograph acts as a metaphor for running away from the mundane, noise of the every day; portrayed by the 'happy accident' of the 2 people who are being static in the back. At the same time, Daniela has definitely embodied a transformation of the femme fatale. The title of this photograph 'fuga, fuga, fuga pe plajă' is an ode to the Moldovan singer, Anastasia Lazariuc's song 'Fuga, Fuga' which encapsulates the bittersweet feeling of nostalgia and childhood. The author swims through her memories as she remembers running in the fields together with her sister.