Karate: Dance or Discipline
This Arts Council funded project arose from seeing the way karate impacts
on the lives of participants and their families. It does so spiritually
and physically - in fact it is difficult to separate the two because
as people train their movement and attitudes undertake a transformation.
It was this that the photographs sought to capture. The physicality
and muscularity is hidden behind the dogi (the white suits) but is revealed
in the movement, sometimes a dance sometimes the martial part of karate
as a martial art.
Karate can be used to help people explore their own lives - understanding
the unwritten rules of behaviour and gaining confidence in the process.
The photographs are in part a reflection of this and the project sought
to extend the interest in the photographs by conducting a series of
workshops designed to turn their interest in karate into a creative
experience.
People are already interested in the photographs I have taken and it
has increased interest in their own photography. I want to turn that
by moving people from the status of observer/ audience to participant/
artist.
The development of this website is to place the photographs in an accessible
form and to enable workshop participants to have their own work exhibited.
The intention is to provide both positive feedback and the confidence
to explore other art works.
The project has resulted in a touring exhibition to visit the local
schools and other venues - if you want to find out more then contact
me.
The project lasted over a year and took in the full cycle of events
and these will presented over a period to enable a rotating set of images
and encourage others to send in their own photographs.. To have your
photographs exhibited on this website or if you have any comments I
would be delighted to hear from you.
Harminder
