Dis-Oriental Series
2017
Performance Photography
2017
Performance Photography
Dis-Oriental is a collaboration between artists Naomi Even-Aberle and Skott Chandler. This interdisciplinary project, intertwines performance and photography, challenging preconceived notions, and redefining the visual language associated with this ancient practice.
At its core, Dis-Oriental operates as a visual and temporal experiment, aiming to deconstruct the conventional understanding of martial arts by documenting the durational aspects of a training session. The innovative approach involves compressing 15 minutes of intense martial arts practice into a single, visually rich image. This compression creates a transformative visual experience that transcends the traditional Orientalized representations often associated with martial arts.
By layering still images captured throughout the training, Even-Aberle and Chandler manage to divorce martial arts from the preconceived Orientalized elements. This intentional detachment from stereotypical imagery opens up a third space for viewing the durational action. In this space, the artists invite the audience to perceive martial arts beyond the confines of cultural clichés, fostering a fresh perspective that allows for a more nuanced understanding.
The layered still images become a canvas where the kinetic energy and intensity of the martial arts practice are frozen in time. It encourages a dialogue about the universal elements embedded in disciplined physical practices and the potential for a more inclusive and diverse representation of martial arts in contemporary art. In divorcing the practice from its Orientalized trappings, Even-Aberle and Chandler carve out a space where the essence of martial arts can be appreciated in its raw, unfiltered form, fostering a richer and more authentic appreciation for this ancient discipline.
At its core, Dis-Oriental operates as a visual and temporal experiment, aiming to deconstruct the conventional understanding of martial arts by documenting the durational aspects of a training session. The innovative approach involves compressing 15 minutes of intense martial arts practice into a single, visually rich image. This compression creates a transformative visual experience that transcends the traditional Orientalized representations often associated with martial arts.
By layering still images captured throughout the training, Even-Aberle and Chandler manage to divorce martial arts from the preconceived Orientalized elements. This intentional detachment from stereotypical imagery opens up a third space for viewing the durational action. In this space, the artists invite the audience to perceive martial arts beyond the confines of cultural clichés, fostering a fresh perspective that allows for a more nuanced understanding.
The layered still images become a canvas where the kinetic energy and intensity of the martial arts practice are frozen in time. It encourages a dialogue about the universal elements embedded in disciplined physical practices and the potential for a more inclusive and diverse representation of martial arts in contemporary art. In divorcing the practice from its Orientalized trappings, Even-Aberle and Chandler carve out a space where the essence of martial arts can be appreciated in its raw, unfiltered form, fostering a richer and more authentic appreciation for this ancient discipline.