TwistedSifter

The Dancers Among Us [21 Pics]

 

Dancers Among Us is the recently released photo book by photographer Jordan Matter. In it, Jordan collaborates with dancers around the country, creating stunning photos of bodies in motion. In his own words, Matter explains:

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’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!

 

Below you will find a small gallery of my personal favourites. You can find an 80+ picture gallery on the book’s official website dancersamongus.com. You can also find additional links to Jordan’s online profiles below.

For those interested in purchasing the book, you can find a list of online options on the official website here.

 

Jordan Matter: Book Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Vimeo

 

 

1. Jeffrey Smith – New York City

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

2. Claire Conaty – Seattle

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

3. Michael McBride – Harlem, NYC

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

4. Katherine Scarnechia – Illinois

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

5. Kara Lozanovski – Chicago

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

6. Ann Maria Mazzini

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

7. Sun Chong – Washinton D.C.

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

8. Michelle Joy

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

9. Danielle Brown – Sarasota, FL

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

10. Brendan Barthel – Half Moon Bay

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

11. Aisha Mitchell

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

12. Angela Dice, Demetrius McClendon – Chicago

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

13. Orlando Martinez, Sara Newett – Grand Central

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

14. Alex Wong – New York City

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

15. Jennifer Jones

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

16. Mikey Cusumano

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

17. Parisa Khobdeh – Yankee Stadium

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

18. Karin Ellis Wentz – The High Line, NYC

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

19. Rachel Bell – Maryland

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

20. Sharon Gallagher – San Francisco

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

21. Jacob Jonas, Jill Wilson

Photograph by Jordan Matter | Purchase Book Online

 

 

https://vimeo.com/http://www.vimeo.com/51149314

 

 

 

Jordan Matter: Book Website | Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Vimeo

 

 

 

 

 

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