The naked truth: 11 artists tell you why I agreed to dance naked on the rooftops of new York

Omar Z. Robles (Omar Z. Robles) for more than 4 years travelling the world with pictures revealing the exceptional beauty and versatility of ballet dancers from Melbourne to Rio de Janeiro, and allows them to tell their stories, often in opposition to their inherent sophistication of urban landscapes.

His new project — a Bare Sky Dance — Omar shoots on the rooftops of new York. In it, the dancers demonstrate a more vulnerable side, exposing not only its essence but also the body.

Usually I photograph dancers on the streets, but I thought the roof would be an interesting turning point and at the same time will provide privacy at the moment of photographing".

In addition to the stunning images created during the project, Omar is interested in the personal stories of the dancers themselves, which helps to create an interesting context for the photo shoot. "Due to the nature of this project and the current social climate I wanted the dancers themselves become the voice of the photographs," says Omar.

Alex Wong

"As a dancer, I have an innate ashamed of my body because we tend to criticize our lines and equipment. Nudity can attract even more attention to any potential errors or imperfections. To things that may not see the usual people, but will easily distinguish a professional."

"With these photographs I want to pay tribute to the strength and courage inherent in the dancers, especially the Asian dancers. I want people to see in them not only beauty, but also athleticism.

When I'm older, I with impatience will wait for the return to these photos that will remind me of my youth and the body, which I was concerned throughout his career".

Brittany Cavaco

"Part of the #BareSkyDance Omar was a very liberating experience. I've always had a problem with the perception of my body. Recently someone from the professional environment even said that I should not be a ballerina because of my special buildings.

I don't talk about it, but I was a victim of sexual violence. It got to be ashamed of themselves even more. I cringed thinking about what my body will be partly hidden under the fabric. But I trust Omar and knew that he would treat the process with respect, and the result will be of great value that will make people think".

"The day of the shoot it was cold and raining, that is not particularly conducive to dancing naked. But, standing on the roof, completely naked in front of the whole world, I no longer felt shame or embarrassment, was not vulnerable. I felt freedom and pride.

Looking at the pictures, a habit I wanted to take failed, to criticize every part of their figures. But what a liberating feeling that I experienced on the roof brought me back to reality. These pictures showed how truly amazing the human body".

"I can dance, stand on the tips of your fingers, to withstand the enormous stress that I incur every day — all incredible! It was a difficult road, but so nice to be proud of my perfectly imperfect body."

Terk Lewis

"In posing for the project of Omar Bare Sky Dance I was attracted by the fact that I have a very different type of figure. I don't look like most of the dancers I have tattoos, height above the average dancer. Through these Nude pictures I want to encourage people to accept their differences and support them in their uniqueness and otherness of the other.

"Making in the dance world that a couple of years ago, it was impossible for people like us, I want to inspire confidence in people like me.

I believe that these images should inspire".

Karina Teran

"As a professional dancer, I participated in several photo shoots in the past, always paying particular attention to body lines, technique, beauty of movements and certain postures, which help to capture these moments of pure art with our bodies.

For dancers to see dramatic changes in your body and make them happy is something you can't imagine until you become a mother. Then you realize that the idea of aesthetics and beauty of your body can go beyond long thin lines, to which we — the dancers are so accustomed to.

The possibility of the gift of new life, love to the expectation of the child and feeling that connection is something that words cannot describe. It is difficult to discover the "new me" that looks different, but at the same time has hitherto unknown force."

"Dancers familiar ease, speed and flexibility... And the lack of these qualities makes you look deeper into this beauty, in this "new I" with soft curves, heavier and slower, but with a wonderful blessing it is to carry new life within themselves.

Participation in Bare Sky Dance — dedication to my pregnancy and love to dance. I believe that every strong woman who experienced the miracle of motherhood, regardless of its form, there is a tremendous beauty to share it with the world."

"Pregnancy should always bring joy, being a holiday and all we women should love their body more than ever. I accept this is a tremendous time with joy! My Arabesque is not as high as before, the balance is elsewhere, I can't boast abdominal muscles. In return, I show a large and round belly that will remember forever the way he was depicted in the 32nd week of my pregnancy — the natural and artistic. Thank you Omar for this wonderful work!"

Taylor Massa

"I follow Omar on instagram and always admired his work. But could not figure out how to get the opportunity to work with him. When he announced that he needed volunteers to Dance Bare Sky, I knew this was my chance. Once I had filmed dancing naked, and I really liked it, so I was sure that I will not have problems again like that."

"I like to be photographed Nude, because being a dancer, I see my body as an object of art. A naked body is like a pristine version of this art. Don't see this as a sexual connotation, something indecent in the framework of the project Bare Sky Dance — only the beauty, naturalness and freedom."

Stephanie Chisholm

"Great idea! To be completely naked, vulnerable and open, in my opinion, the most dangerous thing a person can do, but at the same time the most beautiful. I decided to film because the pictures of Omar reflect this essence.

It's a great experience to be naked, helpless, to accept the beauty of its natural state surrounded by the city chaos of new York".

"The juxtaposition of these two images intrigued me. I think the roof is the ideal place in order to capture the immense beauty of both."

Of Silken Kelly

"I hope that the project has a Bare Sky Dance turns to broadcast some sense of relief. I also like the contrast between the soft, vulnerable energy of a dancer and the harsh and relentless surrounding environment. For me this project is about a man who remains faithful to his principles, or faith, or what you still have, despite everything that happens outside of your control."

Jacqueline Henrichs

"Don't be shy. Act. Be a hero.

These three mantras I repeat to myself day in and day out to survive in the turmoil of new York. Without them I would hardly last long in the city, well known for its competitive environment. Here you must be one and only one — FEARLESS".

"After a break of almost a year without filming Omar invited me to be part of his project Bare Sky Dance. I hesitated because I was worried parting, and because of the vulnerability I felt, I had no desire to pose for the camera".

"When I met up with Omar, he didn't know that, but I felt unhappier than ever, too open and unprotected. But I knew that it was important to take responsibility for my confidence, and one step towards this is to bring yourself back to the camera. Naked."

Kassandra Orvis

"As a model, dancer (and hell, as a woman), people often ask me to pose Nude. I usually politely refuse, because I want my art to be something more than my naked body. To be naked is quite natural and normal, but too easy. Easy to look good in pictures, it is easy to make people really liked it. But when Omar asked me to pose for his Bare Sky Dance — it was about the beauty and simplicity of the free dance — it took me a long time to grasp the essence".

"For me, dance is freedom. It is not about technique, not about getting the best role or performance on the biggest stages."

"To exist in the moment, to feel how my body works, and the mind is silent. For me posing for Omar was a celebration of freedom, which gave me a dance. Freedom to be proud of their art and the body, which helps me to do this."

Albert Nilausen

"When Omar contacted me, asking if I'm not interested in shooting for his new project, not knowing the concept, I said, "Yes!" Then he told me about the Bare Sky Dance. The vast sky, the freedom, the skyscrapers forming the skyline of new York, in contrast with the naked body of the dancer sounded nice in my head."

"I worked with Omar several times. In fact, he was the first photographer with whom I worked in new York, and I trust his ideas and visions. When he takes off the dancers, he always manages to convey moments of vulnerability through flawless composition and light.

We filmed in unusual cold for summer Sunday morning in Brooklyn. It was raining, and there was mediocrity. It affected what came out pictures — dramatic and heartfelt. I was soaking wet, as were my Pointe shoes, but it ceased to matter once I was in front of the camera".

"The city has so many magic, and in this episode, Omar goes on the roof, which largely characterizes new York. This shoot was special to me because it was the day I returned to Europe after 6 years in the city. I felt that the city was crying, and Bare Sky Dance summed up my stay in new York, where I arrived one day hungry, with big dreams. This series has emotion, and she sings a dancer on top of new York in the most amazing way".

Alexander Jacob

"I decided to participate in the Bare Sky Dance to destigmatizing the idea that nudity should always be associated with sexuality and also to restore my personal rights to consent after the silence of my history of sexual violence. There is absolutely nothing wrong with sexuality or nudity, I just prefer that they were not the Foundation of how I represent myself to the world. I personally believe that there are ways to Express yourself in a more transparent manner, without being openly erotic.

Agreeing to participate in this project, I allowed myself to be part of a more candid type of photography. I agreed to cooperate with Omar (who is trusted after three years of constant cooperation), agreed to appear without clothing, and have agreed to appear in a private setting on the roof.

The important thing is that I made a personal choice without outside interference. This project was surprisingly liberating in the sense that, as on the stage, I was able to get rid of prejudices and to reveal a freedom of self-respect".