Jacqueline Bulnés is a Cuban-American artist born in Miami, Florida, best known for her career as a soloist with the companies of Martha Graham, José Limón, and the Merce Cunningham Trust in New York
She currently teaches at the Opera School of Rome and at the Academy of Dramatic Arts of the Ancient Theatre of Syracuse, as well as leading international masterclasses worldwide.
For .bijouets, she performed wearing a special piece created for the 140th anniversary of Amedeo Modigliani’s birth, turning the jewel into a performative and choreographic element.
In this interview, she shares her experience between dance, body, and design.
1. Jacqueline, as a dancer, how did you approach interpreting Modigliani’s art through movement?
What fascinated me most was the love shared between Modigliani and Jeanne, his muse. I see love and art as inseparable forces; each fuels the other. Their relationship felt like a natural extension of my own creative expression. Through movement, I sought to convey their connection, how their love transcended words and took shape in the way they inspired one another. My dance became an interpretation of that energy, allowing their story to unfold through every gesture and step.
2. The necklace you were wearing is quite special, inspired by 7 of Modigliani’s portraits. How did wearing this piece influence your performance?
The necklace felt like a bridge between me and his work, as if it contained the essence of Modigliani’s world within its design. Since I received it, it has become almost a part of me; I haven’t felt the need to take it off. There is something powerful about wearing a piece that carries not only beauty but also history. It didn’t just complete my performance; it became an active participant. Its movement echoed mine, creating a dialogue between the art I was interpreting and the jewelry itself.
3. Can you describe the emotional connection you felt with Jeanne Hébuterne, Modigliani’s wife, who appears in 6 of the 7 portraits that inspired the necklace?
Jeanne’s presence in the portraits is unsettling. There is a silent strength in her expression, a depth that speaks of both passion and pain. I felt drawn to that intensity, to the way her love and her pain seem intertwined. Young love has a certain rawness, a vulnerability that is deeply familiar to me. Her story of devotion and the loss that followed seemed to mirror the emotions I myself have experienced. It was as if her spirit stretched across time and through the necklace; I could sense her journey.
4. The necklace is 140 cm long, commemorating the 140th anniversary of Modigliani’s birth. How did this length influence your choreography and the overall visual impact of the performance?
The length of the necklace added another layer to my performance: it wasn’t just an accessory, but an extension of the dance. Its movement had a rhythm all its own; at times it followed me, at times it enveloped me, almost like a partner. The necklace represented more than just a physical object; it symbolized Jeanne’s love, the weight of her emotions, and the freedom she sought. It felt as though she were present with me, influencing the way the necklace moved, transforming it into something alive and full of meaning.
5. As an artist, what aspects of our 3D-printed jewelry strike you the most?
I’m drawn to the clean, contemporary lines of the design. It’s minimalist yet exudes a subtle elegance, a statement piece without being overpowering. There is a subtle harmony between modern craftsmanship and the deeper artistic inspiration behind the piece. Every time someone asked me about the necklace, I felt a sense of pride in sharing the story of its creation, knowing that it carried more than just aesthetic value: it had a connection to art and history.
6. Finally, how do you think collaborations between dancers and jewelry designers can push the boundaries of both art forms?
Collaboration is essential to keeping art fresh and alive. Dance is an ancient art form, but by working with creators from other disciplines, such as jewelry designers, we breathe new life into both forms. Jewelry, like dance, speaks through movement and emotion, and when these worlds merge, they create something that transcends the boundaries of each individual art form. These collaborations open up new perspectives, offering both artists and audiences a richer, more dynamic experience.
