The Art of Dancing. Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Dancing is my obsession. My life.

-Mikhail Baryshnikov

After watching Mathew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty ballet couple of weeks ago, I just can’t help but thinking of this most inspiring and passionate form of art that you can ever experience. And I would like to dedicate this post to one of my favourite ballet dancers of all time and one of the most prominent promoters of modern ballet, Mikhail Baryshnikov, who turned 64 yesterday. Hailed as one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century, this man is more than just a dancer, he is a true artist, whose performance is fascinating to watch and is simply indescribable.

The founder of New York’s Baryshnikov Arts Center, Mikhail is also a big art collector, amazing photographer, whose work is focused on capturing movement, and a brilliant actor. He was nominated for an Oscar for The Turning Point (1977) and won a Golden Globe for his acting chops in the film. Also known by some as Alexander Petrovsky, Carrie Bradshaw's eccentric love interest in the “ Sex and the City” series, to me Baryshnikov is an exceptional and admirable figure, and these photographs of him below, made by diferent talented photographers such as Annie Leivovitz, are nothing but an absolute inspiration.

Happy birthday Misha,

FP