Strike A Pose Like Contortionist, Anna Vladiii

Extreme flexibility, bending, and shaping their body to strike a pose comprises an art form that contortionist Anna Vladiii does beautifully as this editorial illustrates. Contortion, which was practiced in ancient civilizations, is one of the oldest forms. It appears, for instance, in paintings and sculptures, and depicts people in extremely flexible poses. Contortionists gained popularity with circus acts over time.

Mastery of this art form is not easy; it takes discipline to achieve the required flexibility, which, in turn, necessitates hours of stretching every day, holding one’s pose, strength, and a mindset to picture how to create that position and hold it for everyone to see. To accomplish these positions is just unbelievable and I love the grace, and the minimal tools needed to create something so beautiful. I personally am in awe of this art form. I am not flexible and don’t like stretching.

We captured Anna Vladiii in her chosen profession and, glancing at her Instagram page, it is clear that she has perfected the art form. I love a posting of her opening a McLaren convertible door with a high kick. Maybe that should appear in a James Bond movie. I can see it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this day as we listen to classical music at the shoot and Mike Ruiz photographed a beautiful story. It also reminded us of a previous contortion story we did together a year and half ago to mark our first meeting and working together.

The title with the opening words, Strike A Pose, is in reference to Madonna’s famous song Vogue. I felt that dancing the Vogue by holding a series of poses is on parallel to the performance of a contortionist. I am happy to release this fashion feature, “Strike A Pose Like Contortionist, Anna Vladiii.”

Foreword by Alison Hernon, Editor-In-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine.