Contorting Through Time
Europe, Portland, NYC, and what comes next
Hello! It’s been more than a long while since we last caught up.
For anyone new here, I’m finally settled after moving across the country, back home to New York City. I will miss the tranquility of Oregon, but feel called to pursue my teaching and personal practice as a performer/artist here in Rat Kingdom.
Back in May, I embarked on a European journey that blended contortion with ancient history. I wanted to share with you all the incredible experience I had in the charming streets of Mykonos, to the bustling city of Athens, the romantic vibes of Paris, the picturesque landscapes of Sicily, and finally to the eternal city of Rome.
I began in Mykonos, wiggling in the white-and-blue walls for a contortion retreat I attended with a friend. Then I continued to Athens, for a souvlaki-scented journey to the Acropolis to see the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena. I created images with Constantinos Mouchtaris highlighting the enduring legacy of human creativity and physical artistry, inspired by the imposing Greek structures I visited.
After Greece I hopped on a flight to France to spend a week in what became one of my favorite cities on Earth. I started my week in Paris with Crazy Horse, its trademark cabaret show. I stayed near Canal St. Martin in an adorable AirBnB, eating the equivalent of 6 sticks of butter daily and walking it off to Marais, several bistros, & my photoshoots.
I riskily contorted in front of the Louvre in the brisk early-morning air with Marc Lamey. I once again -riskily- shot film photos with Shelbie Dimond in the iconic Père-Lachaise cemetery, the largest in Paris. Less riskily, but just as inspiredly, i created images celebrating the designs of my friend Ruzzana with Rose Mars in a decidedly French apartment, followed by wine and cheese and Frenglish conversation. I concluded my shoots with sessions near the Eiffel Tower and the Notre Dame with sbphotoart and Leo Ferraz, respectively.
I couldn’t believe the stereotype of French people being uppity; everyone I’d met and interacted with in Paris was fantastically sweet, welcoming, and accommodating to an American brute such as myself. I will dream of the boulangeries and sizzling confit until I return.
The final leg of my journey led me to a short trip to the historic island of Sicily, surrounded by beautiful blue seas. Finally, in Rome, I contorted in front of the legendary Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and shot with Fra and Azzura near my hostel.
If you’d like to see more photos from my travels, I’ve posted the more nude and risqué bits here.
When I returned from my trip, I became a flexibility instructor on ReddLightTherapy, an online studio for budding dancers and movement artists. I now teach weekly on Tuesdays at 8 PM EST, with a different focus each week and modifications for each level. Click here to book online classes with me!
Upcoming Dates and Events:
I will be in Chicago from October 6-10 (and still have some spots available for photoshoots and other contortion projects.) I am also available to be booked throughout October for Halloween events, haunted houses, and other spooky circumstances.
In November I will be in Costa Rica from the 7-11, and Oaxaca from the 12-16. I don’t know if anyone in my network lives in those areas, but I’d be happy to shoot there or take recommendations for where to eat/hang out.
I put off this latest edition of my newsletter due to my grueling cross-country move, but I hope to make this more regular! Thanks for reading.
Your friend in bend,
Pretzelle
When is Belgium on your tour scheme?