Manifold: A visual movement essay exploring femininity
Rossella Damiani and Elettra Giunta explore femininity through Manifold, a movement visual series that celebrates the feminine energy’s many forms.
Words FELICIA CHIAPPETTA
Creative Direction ROSSELLA DAMIANI & ELETTRA GIUNTA // Photographer ROSSELLA DAMIANI // Movement Direction ELETTRA GIUNTA // Talent SOFI MUKASHEVA, FELICIA CHIAPPETTA, EVIE WEBZELL & BECKY TUN PE // Photographed at STUDIO WAYNE MCGREGOR
As a visual exploration of bodies in motion through contemporary and heels dance, this project celebrates the power and grace of femininity. Movement director Elettra Giunta and photographer Rossella Damiani join forces with talents Sofi, Evie, Becky and Felicia. Together, they embody the strength, vulnerability, and unity that define female power.
“Femininity is a complex idea. It isn’t a fixed set of traits,” mentions Rossella and Elettra; a statement that most women can relate to. One day you can feel on top of the world, and the other, in shambles.
Their newest project, Manifold honours this fluidity by exploring soft and strong feminine energies through movement.
“It reflects the idea of many forms coming together to create something richer than the sum of their parts,” shares Rossella; inviting us dancers Sofi, Evie, Becky and myself to move naturally in ways that make us feel empowered.
The shoot took place in Studio Wayne McGregor. A minimal yet playful space, the energy felt warm being in a room of only women. Evie and Becky were finishing up their last images with Elettra and Rossella. Hugs were exchanged as they wrapped up while I laid out my clothing choices on the floor.
“Choose whatever you feel most hot in,” Elettra mentioned. She had asked me beforehand whether I would be comfortable showing copious amounts of skin. Having planned accordingly, I grabbed a leather bikini set with matching black pumps. She then led a warm up to help get me into my body; playing ambient music that aided in setting the tone for the day.
Rossella and Elettra then guided Sofia and I into improvisation, continuously checking in that we felt comfortable with touch and exploration.
“When I’m working one-on-one, I let the dancer move freely and guide them by pointing out what looks strongest on camera,” shares Rossella, “When I’m with a larger team and a movement director is involved - ideally someone I have a good connection with - it makes a huge difference.”
Being given the freedom to flow in and out of movement allowed us to stay curious, exploring both shapes rooted in fluidity, and others stoic and strong.
“I’m drawn to the ways women carry their stories physically, and how these stories shift when placed beside someone else’s,” shares Elettra.
Individually, I felt my shapes to be more structured, however, when moving with Sofi, I felt supported in finding more flexibility. When something clicked, Elettra asked us to hold it, reminding us to use our breath, expanding into the shape.
“Sometimes I support them by physically demonstrating an idea…Other times I guide through language: offering imagery, rhythm, emotional cues, or simple verbal direction until they find a movement that feels authentic,” explains Elettra.
When Rossella and Elettra caught something they liked, they’d consult the lens on their next instruction.
“We understand what to look for and what might be interesting to explore, and we support each other in bringing out the best in each scene,” Rossella mentioned.
Both of them shared that this flow state allowed strength to appear in unexpected ways while creating Manifold–contributing to the evident themes of opposing soft and strong feminine energies.
For Rossella, she manipulated lighting to create different feelings in the images.
“When I photographed Becky and Evie, I pointed the flash directly at them. The harsher light matched their strong, structured movements, and it helped emphasise that energy,” she explained.
For mine and Sofi’s, she instead bounced the light off the ceiling; giving the images a softer tone.
“Because the movements were more sensual, I wanted a softer look so it wouldn’t come across as overly sexualised,” explained Rossella.
These changes complimented the movement range that Elettra directed within and across the photos; each owning its unique nuances.
“We might work with a jump, a kick, or a sharp shift of weight–movements traditionally associated with strength–and then use breath, a gesture, or the release of another body part to soften the edges around that power,” explains Elettra.
During mine and Sofi’s photoshoot, we realized that even though our theme was more sensual, she and I carry very different feminine energies. From how we both did our hair and makeup, our clothing choices and body’s abilities, our nuances were not only different, but almost opposite.
That is what Manifold explores–that femininity is all encompassing.
“It’s a state that changes: sometimes soft, sometimes strong, sometimes tied to how we feel in our own bodies,” shares Rossella and Elettra.
Through movement, they’ve both been able to share what femininity looks like; how each dancer handles their own vulnerability and strength, and how we support one another in a shared space.