Tango
Aurelie Ondine Menninger

I met Aurelia in Antigua, Guatamala during the summer of 2022. She had just completed a multi-month oddesy that brought her from home in Strasbourg, France, across the Atlantic and on to the shores of Central America via nineteen meter Ketch at the command of three inexperienced sailors-she being one. A free spirit indeed. Aurelie is also a gifted writer holding multiple advanced degrees in literature with four books of bilingual poetry under publication-the latest, inspired by observations of recent travels. (Une Virgule Dans un Sac de Pierres, Lettres à Bleue, C était la Nuit and La sangre de las aves).

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An independent firebrand, Aurelie lives freely-like most of the world dreams. A minimalist, she places a premium on experience over possession. Guided by goals, absent of time. On the day of our encounter, she was in the process of working her way back to Buenos Aires, Argentina in an effort to continue her passion-the dance of Tango. Her journey would take another full year to complete as she slowly meandered south. First Mexico, where we reconnected in Acapulco, then solo through Colombia and Ecuador. And finally Peru, where we reconvened in Arequipa. This is where we initiated and finished a route that brought us through the driest parcel of land on earth and on to her final destination-the Paris of South America.

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Once in Buenos Aries, I spent many hours observing and photographing Aurelie perform her art. Tango is complex. It requires equal levels athleticism, balance and agility along with creative improvisation within a specific structure of moves. And as the saying goes, it take two to Tango-this dance requires each participant to be in sync with the other. Its uniquely expressive and a joy to watch-even better to photograph. Most of these images below were taken in the historic Dorrego Square (San Telmo) where Aurelie danced for tips four to five days a week.

 

Enjoy!

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