In the heart of this project lies a portrait of Alina Cojocaru in the role of Gelsomina. An exquisite ballerina, unique artist and above all a wonderful sole.
I was absolutely thrilled when a friend and former colleague of mine Otto Bubeníček approached me with a special art project proposal that would combine our artistic skills in a unique way. He asked me to draw a portrait of Alina Cojucaru in her role as Gelsomina, which he then seamlessly incorporated into the poster for the world premiere of ballet „La Strada“. Together, we discussed our creative vision and collaborated on ideas for the portrait.
As an artist, the opportunity to contribute to the visual representation of such an artistic event was exhilarating. Seeing the final result come to life was immensely satisfying, and I couldn’t be prouder of our collaborative effort.
It was a truly valuable experience, and I am grateful to have had the chance to work alongside such a talented and creative artist on this special endeavor.
La Strada
Premiere: 25.01.2024 Sadler’s Wells, London, United KingdomMusic: Nino Rota | Choreography: Natália Horečna |Stage & Costume Design: Otto Bubeníček |Lights: Andrea Giretti | Poster: Otto Bubeníček | Portrait Drawing for the Poster: Miljana Bernal
Gelsomina: Alina Cojocaru | Zampanò: Mick Zeni | Il Matto: Johan Kobborg | Produced: Acworkroom Ltd. | With Support of The Alina Cojocaru Foundation
Music: Nino Rota
Choreography: Natália Horečna
Stage & Costume Design: Otto Bubeníček
Lights: Andrea Giretti
Poster: Otto Bubeníček Portrait Drawing for the Poster: Miljana Bernal
Gelsomina: Alina Cojocaru Zampanò: Mick Zeni
Il Matto: Johan Kobborg Produced: Acworkroom Ltd.
With Support of The Alina Cojocaru Foundation
Miljana's humility and grounded nature are truly remarkable. While I've always admired her as an ballet dancer, a radiant presence on the stage, discovering her hidden talent for drawing was a delightful revelation. From that moment, I knew that our creative paths would one day converge.
The opportunity presented itself when Alina Cojocaru approached me to design a poster for her highly anticipated premiere of "La Strada" ballet. With a simple yet innovative concept in mind, I proposed that we conduct a quick iPhone photo session to transform Alina into the character Gelsomina from the production. The process was far from ideal, given the limited equipment and the need for speed.
After capturing these snapshots, I reached out to Miljana, sharing the images with her and asking for her input. I requested her to select one that resonated with her creative sensibilities. My straightforward plea was for her to paint a background that I could incorporate into my poster design, featuring the extraordinary Alina Cojocaru. This task was no small feat, as the photos had been taken hastily with an iPhone, devoid of studio lighting, and under time constraints.
What Miljana crafted was nothing short of extraordinary. With her brush, she breathed life into the image, infusing it with the depth and radiance it had been missing. She endowed it with a luminous soul, leaving me in sheer amazement and profound gratitude. Miljana's inner peace and beauty are reflected in her drawings. I can't wait to see this poster in large format on the streets and in the theatre in London!