Anatomy of a Fight 1: Fight of the Year

This animation short entitled, "A Warrior's Dream" by animation director Li Jing has been floating around for the past week.  Given it has two of my greatest passions animation and martial arts, I had to say something. 

Donnie Yen is one of the leading popular martial arts actors today.  Son of another famous martial arts master, Bow Sim Mark, Donnie has a long history in the martial arts world.  Recently he has been noted for his portrayal of the Wing Chun Kung Fu grandmaster, Ip Man. (Sometimes written as Yip Man)  Grandmaster Yip Man is greatly renown as Bruce Lee's first formal martial arts teacher. 

Bruce Lee of course needs no introduction.  Founder of the Jeet Kune Do philosophy,  greatest influence on modern martial arts in the 20th Century.  Forever the king of martial arts motion pictures.  Period.  

The film does fall a bit short with some of the nuance that gives animation sparkle and true life.   Some performances copied rather than acted and a lack of "cushioning" or "easing out" that should be there no matter how fast or precise these martial arts legends are.  With a larger budget or more time, I'm very confident that would not be the case. 

All THAT said, this was amazing to watch and obviously there was a lot of love and hard work behind it.  Martial arts in films are basically special effects.  Without a story behind it becomes boring or meaningless quite quickly.   In this case, however, it's an exception. 

ONTOSHIKI: One Artist You Should Watch

"Whether he is an artist or not, the photographer is a joyous sensualist, for the simple reason that the eye traffics in feelings, not in thoughts." - Walker Evans

Nothing sums up Ontoshiki better than this.

One of the advantages of living in Tokyo is that it has given me the opportunity to meet a wide range of extremely talented artists and wonderful souls.

Ontoshiki (otherwise known as Justin Vun) is one of them: an Australian photographer, a talented professional, an artist, a visual sensualist and a gifted storyteller. All this informs his photography and is easily read in his work.

There is a stream of consciousness narrative in his work that as he puts it, "spans both Eastern and Western cultures and philosophies".

Anyone who appreciates fine photography HAS to follow Ontoshiki. He did me the great favor by coordinating photo session for my other vocation within Chinese martial arts. (Please see Ki Martial Arts Studio). I found it so amazing Ontoshiki articulated many of the fine aspects of my martial art, going beyond words and conventional demonstration with his visual voice.

I am truly in awe of his work and his ability to see. His work is inspirational. Plain and simple. I am honored that I can call him a friend. Please view more of his work at : Ontoshiki Photography.