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InspirationPhotography

Swimming Pool: Maria Svarbova's photographs of primary coloured swimmers

In photographer Maria Svarbova's Swimming Pool, her largest series to date (and featured previously), she continues to dip into her fascination with public swimming baths in Slovakia, ones usually built during the country's socialist era.

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All images courtesy of the artist. Via Creative Boom submission.

All images courtesy of the artist. Via Creative Boom submission.

Dressing models in a range of primary-coloured swimsuits and having them pose in various positions in and around the water, the contrast between the sterile backdrop and the brightly dressed women creates a surreal as well as otherworldly atmosphere.

"The figures are mid-movement, but there is no joyful playfulness to them. Frozen in the composition, the swimmers are as smooth and cold as the pools' tiles," reads the description on Maria's portfolio. "The colours softly vibrate in a dream-like atmosphere. Despite the retro setting, the pictures somehow evoke a futuristic feeling as well, as if they were taken somewhere completely alien. There is no disturbing emotion, there is no individuality in their stillness. The artificial detachment... allows unique visual pleasure, unattainable in real life."

Group of swimmers in red swimsuits posed on pool deck, reflected in still water below pale turquoise tiles
Five women in brightly coloured swimsuits stand in a line on the pool edge, reflected in the still water below, with a large window overlooking a residential building behind them
Five swimmers in red swimsuits stand on blue platforms against white tiled walls in Maria Svarbova's Swimming Pool series, with their reflections visible in the water below
Woman in yellow swimsuit standing in changing room doorway overlooking an indoor swimming pool with blue water below
Young swimmer in red cap and swimsuit standing in bright blue swimming pool with lane dividers visible overhead
Three swimmers in red costumes pose above the pool's edge reflected below, with colourful kickboards in the foreground, against white tiled walls in Maria Svarbova's Swimming Pool series
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