Snake woman reflects the connection between man and environment Nina Burri lets herself be painted by US artist for 8 hours

In the world of art, there are collaborations that transcend the ordinary, pushing the boundaries of creativity and human expression to new heights. Such an extraordinary partnership recently came to life in Switzerland, uniting the visionary Johny Dar, Swiss contortionist Nina Burri, celebrated for her appearances on 'America's Got Talent,' and the renowned celebrity photographer Frederic Auerbach. This captivating editorial shoot embarked on a remarkable journey, delving into the seamless fusion of body art, genuine expression, and the delicate interplay between vulnerability and empowerment. Join us as we explore this enthralling endeavor, where the realms of art and reality coalesce in breathtaking harmony.

Bare skin, lots of paint and breakneck contortions: American artist Johny Dar recently painted snake woman Nina Burri. Swiss photographer Frederic Auerbach captured the body painting spectacle at the B2B Hotel in Zurich. 

The jeans hero is back: two years ago, US artist Johny Dar pimped old jeans of world stars for his aid project "Jeans for Refugees" and thus attracted international attention. Now he is on the road with a new project and is making a stop in Switzerland, the country of his heart. For this, snake woman Nina Burri frees herself. With artistic adornments on her bare skin, she contorts her body and poses for Swiss photographer Frederic Auerbach, who now lives in Los Angeles.

Connection between man and environment 

The U.S. artist began planning his body painting series six years ago. The starting signal was given in 2021. In different countries, he wants to paint different models during two years. "The idea behind it is that we represent the connection between people and the environment with a series of photographs," says Johny Dar.  "I think it's important to be aware of our relationships with our fellow human beings and where we stand in this world," says Nina Burri. 

Colorful personality 

The body painting project required a lot of patience. The snake woman was painted from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. - a full 8.5 hours. During this time, Nina Burri had to remain calm and was not allowed to move as much as possible. An ordeal for the contortionist: "For a moment I thought we would never finish," she says. Johny Dar and four makeup artists were at work with the drawing, transforming the 45-year-old into a different personality. The result was worth being patient for. "Johny said that his drawings always reflect the personality of the model. Thus, I guess I am a very colorful personality," says the snake woman with satisfaction. 

Love after the first photo 

The fact that Johny Dar works with a Swiss photographer is no coincidence. The two creative minds met in Los Angeles. The US artist fell in love with Frederic Auerbach's photos right away. "My intention behind body art is to reveal the soul under the skin, and that's exactly what Frederic does," says Johny Dar.

Talent: Nina Burri

Artist: Johny Dar

Makeup: Stephanie Jeg, Martina Brunner

Photographer: Frederic Auerbach

Film Team: Vjii Filmagentur

Location: B2B Hotel Zurich

To gain a deeper insight into their remarkable work, we encourage you to watch the behind-the-scenes video, where their creative journey unfolds in all its glory.