The short film Studio Visit with Lee Yanor is available to watch at the top of the page.
In the fascinating realm of contemporary art, Lee Yanor has carved a niche for herself with her unique blend of photography and video artistry. Her ethereal works are surreal invocations, exploring realms of fantasy and the subconscious. Yanor’s innovative practice involves capturing the grace of dancers on film and introducing novel elements through the use of unconventional materials.
In a nod to the rich history of her craft, Yanor adopts 19th-century techniques to print her mesmerizing photographs on canvas. Yet, she pushes the boundaries of this traditional medium by bringing the static image to life. She accomplishes this through a thoughtful layering of printed canvases, resulting in a visual experience that demands viewer participation. As one shifts their gaze, the image appears to move, engaging the viewer physically and challenging the notion of a fixed viewing point.
An integral part of Yanor’s philosophical and creative landscape is the concept of movement. This driving force not only reflects in her thematic focus on dancers but also in her dynamic techniques that lend her works a physical vitality. She expresses her art through various mediums—video installations, emulsions, and even holograms—highlighting the palpable texture of her visuals.
Each of her works is an intricate tapestry woven with shared and introspective memories. Yanor’s layered artistry imbues her creations with a sense of depth, shaping a palimpsest that spans time and space, and invites viewers to immerse themselves into the visual narratives she weaves.
Yanor’s close collaboration with dancers and choreographers adds another dimension to her work. One of her noteworthy creative relationships was with the legendary choreographer Pina Bausch. Yanor accompanied Bausch for a significant period, a partnership that culminated in her widely acclaimed film Coffee With Pina.
In the accompanying video interview, Yanor discusses her captivation with dancers who, akin to her, create content through movement. It is through this fascination that she continues to transcend the conventional boundaries of art, creating experiences that resonate deeply with viewers while offering a fresh perspective on the dynamic interplay between art, movement, and the human experience.
The featured video Studio Visit with Lee Yanor is part of the web series Yotsrim by Shachaf Dekel. Yotsrim includes five seasons and 73 episodes. The series won the Best Documentary award at the NYC Web Fest in 2019.
