Sergei Polunin Takes Ballet and Tattoos to Church

If you don’t think that ballet and tattoos go together well you have obviously never seen Sergei Polunin. The Ukrainian dancer has a bit of a rebellious reputation so it was no surprise to learn that his torso is covered with tattoos. In a video directed by iconic photographer/director David LaChapelle, Polunin strips down to nothing but flesh colored tights and dances within an empty church. While a church may not seem like the ideal place for a ballet performance it makes sense given the music—”Take Me to Church” by Irish singer-songwriter Hozier.

The spectacularly shot video is able to capture all of the emotion pouring out of Polunin throughout his performance. By the time the video wraps up you will likely find yourself feeling as drained as if you had just danced it yourself.

Of course, we also found ourselves focusing on Polunin’s ink. From the Joker portrait on his shoulder to the elegant design on his chest, Polunin has some really great work. Normally Polunin has to cover his tattoos for his day job but in this video he is showcasing them, and they compliment his dancing perfectly. In our humble opinion, Polunin should ditch the fancy costumes of his trade for future performances. His tattoos are the only costume he needs.

While the video is simply gorgeous there is a bit more once you scratch past the surface. The lyrics of “Take Me to Church” deal with the singer’s frustration with the Catholic Church’s stance on homosexuality. Polunin currently lives and performs in Russia, a country that has been under scrutiny for the treatment of the homosexual community in recent years. So, even if it is subtle, the video is undeniably a statement.

https://vimeo.com/118946875

Sergei Polunin, “Take Me to Church” by Hozier, Directed by David LaChapelle from David LaChapelle Studio on Vimeo.