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Olympe Tits (Marseille, 1992) is an autodidact photographer, dancer and choreographer residing in Brussels, Belgium.
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ENG
Olympe began her training as a professional dancer at the age of 8 at the Royal Ballet School of Antwerp, where she graduated at 18. After this, she developed as a contemporary dancer at the Royal Conservatory for Contemporary Dance in Antwerp and subsequently obtained her dance teaching diploma. She founded her own theater and dance company KOPSEER, touring with children's performances. Additionally, she creates choreographies for dance schools and music videos. With her new collective Wednesday, she focuses on creating crossover art installation performances. At the age of 19, she became a self-taught photographer. Her conceptual work has been exhibited in various galleries both national and international. In 2016 she won the National Belgium award at the Sony awards in London. In 2017 she ended 2nd on the TV show Master of Photography that has been broadcast on Sky Arts in different countries. Her work has been published in various magazines and newspapers, such as Volkskrant, Focus Vif, Shoot, De Morgen, De Standaard, New Gup, and various online magazines worldwide. Besides her conceptual work, she photographs for theater and dance companies, capturing performances and providing images for campaigns as well as portraits of artists.
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FR
Olympe a commencé sa formation de danseuse professionnelle à l'âge de 8 ans à l'École Royale de Ballet d'Anvers, où elle a obtenu son diplôme à 18 ans. Par la suite, elle s'est développée en tant que danseuse contemporaine au Conservatoire Royal de Danse Contemporaine d'Anvers et a ensuite obtenu son diplôme d'enseignement de la danse. Elle a fondé sa propre compagnie de théâtre et de danse, KOPSEER, et a fait des tournées avec des spectacles pour enfants. De plus, elle crée des chorégraphies pour des écoles de danse et des vidéoclips. Avec son nouveau collectif, Wednesday, elle se concentre sur la création de performances d'installation artistique interdisciplinaires. À l'âge de 19 ans, elle est devenue photographe autodidacte. Son travail conceptuel a été exposé dans diverses galeries nationales et internationales. En 2016, elle a remporté le prix national belge aux Sony Awards à Londres. En 2017, elle a terminé deuxième à l'émission télévisée Master of Photography, diffusée sur Sky Arts dans différents pays. Son travail a été publié dans divers magazines et journaux tels que Volkskrant, Focus Vif, Shoot, De Morgen, De Standaard, New Gup, ainsi que dans divers magazines en ligne à travers le monde. En plus de son travail conceptuel, elle photographie pour des compagnies de théâtre et de danse, capturant des performances et fournissant des images pour des campagnes ainsi que des portraits d'artistes.
NL
Olympe begon haar opleiding als professionele danseres op achtjarige leeftijd aan de Koninklijke Balletschool van Antwerpen, waar ze op haar achttiende afstudeerde. Daarna ontwikkelde ze zich als hedendaagse danseres aan het Koninklijk Conservatorium voor Hedendaagse Dans in Antwerpen en behaalde vervolgens haar diploma pedagogie. Ze richtte haar eigen theater- en dansgezelschap KOPSEER op en toerde met kindervoorstellingen. Daarnaast creëert ze choreografieën voor dansscholen en muziekvideo's. Met haar nieuwe collectief Wednesday richt ze zich op het creëren van multidisciplinaire kunstinstallatie-performances. Op negentienjarige leeftijd werd ze autodidactisch fotografe. Haar conceptuele werk is tentoongesteld in verschillende nationale en internationale galeries. In 2016 won ze de Nationale België Award bij de Sony Awards in Londen. In 2017 eindigde ze als tweede in het tv-programma Master of Photography, uitgezonden op Sky Arts in verschillende landen. Haar werk is gepubliceerd in verschillende tijdschriften en kranten, zoals Volkskrant, Focus Vif, Shoot, De Morgen, De Standaard, New Gup, en diverse online tijdschriften wereldwijd. Naast haar conceptuele werk fotografeert ze voor theater- en dansgezelschappen, waarbij ze voorstellingen vastlegt en beelden levert voor campagnes, evenals portretten van artiesten
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Conceptual work.
Olympe Tits's photography, opposites complement each other. Contrasting
colors draw figures by marking out areas in space. The soft texture of a skirt winds down on a stone floor. Divergent elements enter into a dialogue caused by contrast. Like opposites, they play a continual game of attraction and repulsion.
We see hidden bodies, as well as graceful and slender figures. They often appear in uncomfortable positions, while simultaneously acquiring a new form. These characters invite you to watch them. In return, they don't look back.
You can sense a state of before and after in each photo. The movement from back then to later on is silenced in the now. Even though each character is overwhelmingly present, it longs to escape this now. At times, it literally accepts the situation. Often, it becomes entwined in the decor.
At this point, humour finds its way into the pictures as well. The absurd humour of out-of-control nonsense becomes an image, documented in the never-ending now. The world in which these characters reside is filled with bright colors. This brightness is often reinforced by textures, making each color almost tangible. This way, the vibrant tones become an important part of this universe. Everyday spaces are saved from their banality. Materials transform into sensitive lines, meeting the body, like in a pas-de-deux with their opposites. The character is there, in that one place. Deafeningly, it silences us.
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INTERVIEW BY NICO KOS
How did you start with photography?
My grandfather was the only one in my family into photography, creating beautiful family portraits. He lived in France, while we were in Belgium, so my mother documented our lives for him. At six, I got a yellow 35mm camera and became obsessed with taking pictures of my family. I loved picking up the developed photos from the store. When I joined the Royal Ballet Academy in Antwerp at eight, photography took a back seat due to the demanding schedule. But on weekends, I'd take self-portraits in the garden with whatever props I found. It was just for fun.
My passion reignited when I got injured while studying Contemporary Dance at the Conservatory of Antwerp. I couldn't dance for three months, so I took photos of classes and performances. It started as documentation but soon became creative experimentation. Social media exposure led to my first commissions, including artwork for Bouge B Dance Festival. Seeing my work on banners across Antwerp made me feel like a real artist. From then on, I knew my conceptual work had to be top-notch.
Did you find your subjects early on?
From the start, I wanted to work with female dancers who could create interesting body forms. My photos are anonymous, focusing on the body's shape rather than identity. I prefer public locations that aren't easily recognizable. Models must understand my work's mood, so I often see them move before collaborating. Outfits are colorful and timeless, fitting perfectly with other elements. My process begins before the shoot, sometimes inspired by clothing, colors, or movements. I aim to create images with personality and strong element interactions. My work feels like one big series, telling various small stories without defining them. I want viewers to interpret them in their own way. My photos often feature figures unaware of their surroundings, blending into the scenery. They are like still choreographies, frozen in movement yet hinting at a before and after.
What makes your work so personal?
My photography reflects who I am and my experiences. The harsh dance world and high expectations from my mother shaped me. I didn't want to be a Prima Ballerina, but my dance education influenced my photography. My work often hides characters, reflecting my desire to create quietly. Writing, filled with humor, is therapeutic for me and naturally integrates with my photography. My dance and choreography experience have enhanced my photography, creating a balance between the two disciplines. They met and never let go of eachother.
Olympe Tits
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