form, precision, pattern: inside the symmetrical photography world of brad walls

"Visitors step onto the original red carpet and into The Red Room, where life-sized photographic prints of dancers from New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet School, and Ballet East surround them at eye level, placing audiences within the frame itself. Developed with choreographer Ian Schwaner, the project fuses classical ballet with graphic design precision, highlighting movement, symmetry, and stillness."

"Brad Walls doesn't just take photos, he reimagines how we see the world. The Australian-born, New York-based visual artist has carved a niche in the art world through his signature aerial style, turning movement and everyday spaces into clean, graphic compositions. Whether it's ballet dancers, synchronized swimmers, or architectural spaces, Walls captures his subjects from above, transforming them into precise, quiet, visual rhythms."

"His latest series, PASSÉ, turns the classical form of ballet into minimalist choreography viewed from above, offering a fresh and unexpected perspective on performance. The series is presented in a New York exhibition, on view from September 12th to 14th, 2025. Ascend | all images courtesy of Brad Walls immersive red-hued show places visitors at the heart of ballet In PASSÉ, the Australian photographer presents an immersive exhibition that reimagines ballet through a striking monochromatic red environment."

Brad Walls uses aerial photography to convert movement and everyday spaces into clean, graphic compositions. His imagery captures ballet dancers, synchronized swimmers, and architecture from above, emphasizing geometry, symmetry, and stillness. PASSÉ frames classical ballet as minimalist choreography seen from overhead and presents the work within a monochromatic red environment that immerses visitors. The exhibition places life-sized prints at eye level, surrounds audiences with dancers, and includes handwritten postcards from featured ballerinas. The project was developed with choreographer Ian Schwaner and fuses classical technique with graphic design precision. Earlier work Pools From Above distilled pools into studies of color, pattern, and form.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine