“The inspiration for this book came to me one afternoon as I watched my son, Hudson, playing with his toy bus. I was trying to keep pace with his three-year-old mind as he got deeper and deeper into a fantasy involving nothing more than a yellow plastic box and armless figurines. At least that’s what I saw. He saw frantic commuters rushing to catch the 77 local bus to Australia. He jumped in place, mouth open and slapping his knees, joyously reacting to a world I couldn’t see, but one powerfully present for him.”
“What happens to this enthusiasm, this ability to be wholly present in the moment? Why are these pure moments of passion so often replaced with cynicism, boredom, and indifference? As I played with my son, I thought about creating photographs that would show the world as if through his eyes. The people in the images would be alive and in the moment, celebrating all aspects and emotions of everyday life.”
“Shortly after playing “bus”, I attended an extraordinary dance performance, and I knew I had found my collaborators. Dancers are storytellers. They’re trained to capture passion with their bodies. The often create a fantasy world or offer us a deeper look into familiar settings. They bring to life what we feel but what most of us, lacking their artistry and athleticism, are unable to express physically. I spent three years shooting dancers around the country, and I was humbled by their enthusiasm for their craft. I would tweet and Facebook when I would arrive in a city, and dancers would volunteer their time to pose for me, often traveling several hours to participate.”
“I’ve created these images for Hudson and his little sister, Salish. My children are everything to me; my dreams for them are enormous. I hope they have long and healthy lives, find loving partners and fulfilling careers, and, if it suits them, experience the joys of parenthood. Most important, I want them to be free from self-consciousness, to discover the deep happiness that comes from a life filled with passion, and to find the serenity necessary to be truly present. These photographs communicate my dreams for them more powerfully than words: Relish moments large and small, recognize the beauty around you, and be alive!”
Project by Jordan Matter
Check it out: Dancers among us
“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” Friedrich Nietzsche
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Amazing and completely captivating. I was completely enthralled by this collection.
I adore these photos, every last one of them.
This is amazing
You brought a smile to my face that will last all day long. Thank you!
Mesmerizing! And spirit lifting: these pictures make me want to skip along with added bounce (if not tremendous grace, as sadly, I am not a dancer myself).
Reblogged this on The Classy Broad blog.
Mr. Matter,
Thank you so much for your beautiful photgraphy,and the sentiment behind it. Being inspired by your young son, has brought the very best out in you.
When I was on the college gymnastics team, our coach asked us which athlete was the most highly conditioned. Of course we all replied “Gymnasts!”. He replied, “No. The most highly conditioned athletes are dancers”. I’m sure he’s right.
Beautiful photos and a great post!
XOXO Nensi
I’ve seen these photos on a number of sites, though I don’t think I’ve seen such an extensive collection of them in one place. Regardless, I adore them all.
These ideas of yours are inspirational. So many of the photos spoke to me (ie. the convict in his cell reaching for freedom). Awesome! Thank you for sharing
Loves these photographs! What a gorgeous, fun and creative concept and the resulting photos are just magical. Thanks so much for sharing, they are brilliant!
A really stunning and inspiring collection of photos, it’s made me want to try out some new moves myself! Thanks for sharing, great post!
♥
I know, rite! These photos are so incredible, i wonder how the cameraman even captured them! :O
Wow! Are they crazy? Dance and Dance everywhere!
Fantastic!
Amazing, just simply amazing pieces of work.
Everyone’s dedication is amazing <3
Reblogged this on Beautiful Railway Bridge of the Silvery Tay.
Reblogged this on The Industry Portage Co. and commented:
I’m a huge modern of dance as a performing art. The photos found here by one of my favorite blogs, Chicquero, are stunning. Of course, my favorites are those taken in New York City.
amazing Images but some of them dont look so real, maybe phtoshoped…
I certainly hope you have permission to have posted what looks like damn near the entire book. If not, shame on you.
YESSS TOTALLY PHOTOSHOPPED, BUT STILL AWESOME!!!!
That’s Really amazing collection. Great effort man.
Reblogged this on Little Miss Media and commented:
Check out these photos …
Beautiful! Creative! Inspirational! Plus well done!
Thank you!
Reblogged this on Pak Fashion.
When I was a young dancer in NYC I did things like this in Central Park.
People would tell me I was over the top; trying to hard.
Nice to see that others have caught up.
Gorgeous photos. Love seeing them. TY.
Reblogged this on In My Roots and commented:
Pure beauty.
Reblogged this on NowChangeYourLife and commented:
doing what comes naturally for a few dollars more
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Great collection of photos! I was mesmerized!
I couldn’t stop visiting these images… And I didn’t want them to stop. The entire time I was thinking “what a beautiful book this would be.” So glad I read on to learn it is a book. Thank you for sharing the art of the dancers through your art.
This is so moving and a great way to show how the body can show emotion through dance!
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Wow! Nice reach! Enjoy!
very nice
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awesome!
cool pics.. all the people are in their 20s of course, I would say 40-50% of them Photoshopped and most likely copy-righted.. I hope you have permission and for those of you who blog this collection,,,, you as well !
astounding!!
“Dancers are the athletes of God”- Einstein
this was beautiful. Thank you
my. god. that was simply amazing, thank you!
really great job…
Reblogged this on HELLS COULDRON.
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Good, Strange Pictures
Amazing photos!! make me wanna try ballet even if i’m a lil older
Really, a giant sized slice of pizza for $1.99! Is that just for cheese?
http://www.dom2tomsk.info/ and this cool http://novostivnsk.ru/
Reblogged this on Interant Voyages and commented:
anything is fun if u just dance to the rhythm of your heartbeat :’)
im concerned that the man in shower will slip and hurt himself.
Well organized dancers captured.
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so so so amazing.. i just love everything here)
WOW
Truely & entirely beautiful
Reblogged this on Brianna DeJoy.
This is absolutely beautiful and amazing! I really don’t want to click away from this page.
This is absolutely amazing.
grate
WOOOOOW,,,
look here for women
did you see the little boy look at the woman in the bath robe?
Wow…. Amazing Pics! Love them!
Haha
Minus the flying squirrel leaps (never could get the hang of those….), naked men and some of the lifts, this is my life, lolz!
Really amazing ….just like a stunner….