Photo cophyright Gabriel Monserrat
The Gilded Serpent presents...
Gabriel Monserrat Lopez
Photographer
Born in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Gabriel started his career as a sports photographer. In this photographic category the main characteristic is to capture the image of a unique movement, the beauty, and meaning of an unrepeatable moment.
In 1999, after his marriage to Helwa, who is the pioneer of bellydance teaching in this Mediterranean Island, little by little, he started shooting the poses and the constant moves in classes, workshops and shows. From 2001 to 2011 he was responsible for the images of the “Bautizo de Flores” (Flowers Baptism) in the annual editions. In most of these 10 shows more than 100 dancers danced at a time on the stage. He captured the essence of each dance.
In Cairo, Egypt, at Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, he was the one who captured singular moments of dancers, musicians, audience, teachers and pupils in the workshops (mainly Zaza Hassan and Munique Neith). He had an endless source of inspiration on the Cairo streets and all the Egyptian places that he visited. His talent was recognized by the team of the Barcelona International Festival including the dancer Munique Neith of Spain. In 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 his presence was required and will be again in 2012.
Shooting the dancers on stage with so many different styles and different nationalities at the Amani Oriental Festival in Beirut, Lebanon in 2011 was also an exceptional experience. The emotion between teachers and pupils during the workshops and the images of the Lebanese people and environment were a constant invitation to this tireless hunter of images.
E-mail: gmonserrat@hotmail.es
Facebook - albums of Gabriel's work for view here
Web site:www.academiahelwa.es
Articles on Gilded Serpent by Gabriel
- 4-18-14 Colorful Moments in Spain, 2014 International Oriental Dance Festival of Gijon,
The International Oriental Dance Festival of Gijón, held every year in March, is organized by Fusión Oriental Group and Vanesa Moreno. Gijón is a small town on the north coast of Spain. Since its inception, the number of students was increasing and improved their attitudes about Oriental dance. That is the main reason why Fusión Oriental group decided to do something special to provide an outlet for all of these emotions and ideas. Many ideas emerged, but finally we decided that a festival was the best of them. - 6-17-13 Munique brings Egypt to Spain Again,
7th International Festival of Egypt in Barcelona 2013
Barcelona welcomed teachers and lucky participants for a festival that brought Egypt to Spain with well attended lectures, workshops, and galas during four days of fun and learning, January 31st until February 3rd, 2013. This event provided a unique opportunity to learn the art of Oriental dance from the best names in Egypt. span class=”artist”>Randa Kamel (Egypt), Mo Geddawi (Egypt), Gamal Seif (Egypt), Bozenka (Cuba/USA), Amar Gamal (Cuba/USA), Amaru Sabat (Spain), who together with Munique Neith ran workshops throughout an intensive weekend. - 2-20-13 A Special Meeting in Barcelona, Munique Brings Wael Mansour for a Workshop and Show
At Academia de Danza del Vientre Munique Neith on 29th and 30th of September 2012, two workshops took place with Munique Neith (the sponsor), Wael Mansour and young talents of Oriental dance from Spain, Italy, Portugal and France. Tradition and modernity merged together on this warm weekend. - 10-1-12 Photos from Ahlan Wa Sahlan 2012 – Cairo, Egypt, Page 2: July 1- 3, 2012, Cairo, Egypt
Once more, Raqia Hassan, the sponsor of the Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival welcomes her guests from all over the world at the Mena House Hotel, the antique mystical palace beside the pyramids of Giza for the 12th annual of this worldwide party. - 9-27-12 Ahlan Wa Sahlan 2012 – Cairo, Egypt, Page 1: June 27-29
Once more, Raqia Hassan, the sponsor of the Ahlan Wa Sahlan Festival welcomes her guests from all over the world at the Mena House Hotel, the antique mystical palace beside the pyramids of Giza for the 12th annual of this worldwide party. - 8-24-12 Our Art’s Flame is Alive in Lebanon, The Amani Oriental Festival 2012 photos
The charming Lebanese city of Beirut welcomes people from all the world to the Amani Oriental Festival. - 7-19-12 Dancing One’s Fortune: Told in Tarot Cards, Photos from Mariona’s "Book of Thoth" Production
Each dance of Mariona’s 2012 show was an interpretation from one of the Tarot cards with their specific stories, characterizations and magical spells. The show begins by presenting a circus titled "Habibirot" that was formed by artists from many parts of the world. - 7-13-12 Dance in Palma De Mallorca, Helwa's Studio, photos by Gabriel Monserrat Lopez
Helwa, Belly dance teacher and director of Academia Helwa de Danza del Vientre pioneer of teaching this art for more than 12 years in Palma de Mallorca, Balears Island, Spain - 3-16-12 The Stars Converge in Barcelona, El Festival Internacional de Danza Oriental 2012,
Munique Neith is Brazilian of Arabic descent. She is the prestigious and well traveled organizer of the International Oriental Dance Festival in Barcelona. More than 1500 people take part every year in the 2 gala shows, the competitions, and in different workshops with the best international master teachers. - 2-11-12 Amani Oriental Festival Photos, October 25-29, 2011, Beirut, Lebanon
As a professional performer, I was impressed with the high caliber of dance instructors. The majority of instructors were Lebanese and offered a diverse repertoire of Lebanese Oriental and folkloric technique with emphasis in dramatic moves, staging and communication through movement with modern dance components.
