On February 18, 2025, at 8:00 PM, the Eternal Bodies photography exhibition will open at the Imperial 1 exhibition hall in the Cultural Information Center – Skopje. This project is the result of a collaboration between photographer Žarko Stojčevski and choreographer Iskra Šukarova, who, through their work, challenge perceptions of aging and the role of the mature body in art.
Eternal Bodies seeks to deconstruct the dominant notion of old age as the end of an active life, highlighting the need to free the aging body from the pathologies of marginalization. The project is realized in collaboration with five ballet artists from the National Opera and Ballet: Emilija Džipunova, Snežana Šijak, Zoica Purovska-Velevska, Zoran Talev, and Irena Lozinska, each at different stages of their careers and life experiences.
The exhibition presents photographs capturing these artists in a dynamic performance process, questioning how society stigmatizes their ability to create and perform as they age. The subtle gestures of the dancers reveal what truly lies beneath appearances, generating new perspectives on aging and reinserting the invisible bodies of overlooked artists into the sphere of our socio-political urgency.
Beyond the exhibition, the project also includes public discussions, conversations with ballet artists, and video materials featuring their testimonies about their profession and the challenges they have faced at different stages of their careers. The aim is to open space for dialogue and new visions of what it means to age in a body that remains active, powerful, and significant.
Who will participate?
🔹 Emilija Džipunova (b. 1935) – A distinguished ballerina, pedagogue, and ballet critic. A member of Macedonia’s first ballet generation, she had a rich career as a soloist before dedicating herself to pedagogy and critique, publishing books and articles on ballet art.
🔹 Snežana Šijak (b. 1949) – A soloist at the Macedonian Opera and Ballet from 1968 to 1992. She performed in numerous productions, including Romeo and Juliet, Giselle, and Don Quixote.
🔹 Zoica Purovska-Velevska (b. 1956) – A prima ballerina and pedagogue who, alongside her partner Zoran Velevski, marked three decades of successful performances. She starred in various classical and contemporary ballets such as Ohrid Legend, Swan Lake, and Romeo and Juliet.
🔹 Zoran Talev (b. 1953) – A longtime soloist of the Macedonian Opera and Ballet, with a career rich in performances in Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle, and many other productions.
🔹 Irena Lozinska (b. 1961) – A soloist, pedagogue, and choreographer. She performed in classical and contemporary ballets before transitioning to choreography and pedagogy, creating numerous successful ballet productions.
📅 The exhibition will remain open until March 2, 2025.We invite you to visit and engage in this important discussion about the role of the mature body in art and society.
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