Alvaro and Chocho. I was kind of stressed about the shoots coming up this month, then I remembered the advice Alvaro gave me. The lesson of nothingness is difficult, but every time I try to understand it, I think I learn about myself a bit more.
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#artist #portrait #philosophy #zen #nothingness #documentary #leica m9 #bulldog #black and whiteMore you might like
Here is a portrait of the painter/poet/writer/composer/zen sensei Alvaro Cardona-Hine who I had the privilege to work with during my recent trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Alvaro is an absolute inspiration. I wish I can only be half as full of life and wisdom when I am 85. To tell the story of Alvaro, I felt it’s important to incorporate imagery with his music, poems, and words of wisdom. So, I created a primarily video based mini documentary. It’’s a first time experience for me. The video will be put up here as soon as I am finished with editing.
Meanwhile, please check out Alvaro’s amazing art here: http://www.cardonahinegallery.com/
A Baseball Journey we call Taiwan
Tumblr only allows for 10 images per story. To see the full story, please go to my Behance page: http://bit.ly/y5HoNB
What is Taiwanese? Who is Taiwanese?
Simple questions, but ones that have been debated by generations of people in Taiwan. Inhibited by indigenous people since over 8000 years ago, nations have come to Taiwan to take advantage of this bountiful island. From the Dutch and Spanish colonies, to the mass Han immigration, to the Japanese rule, and to the current Republic of China occupation, Taiwanese have not been able to simply call this beautiful mother island as our own. Many are hesitant to call Taiwan as is: a sovereign country that is under massive pressure internally and externally against its self determination.
I am not a historian or political scientist. With this photo essay, all I am trying to do is answer the questions for myself. What is the Taiwanese spirit? To me, baseball sums it up. As a boy growing up in Taiwan in the 80’s and 90’s, the international success of Taiwanese Little League baseball teams is part of the collective memory I share with many others. During a time when Taiwan was being increasingly isolated by the international community, with growing pressure from China, baseball was one thing we could hold on to and call it as our own.
I had the fortune to spend time with the Taiwanese national baseball team when they visited Canada for the World Baseball Challenge in July 2010. I was able to travel with the team for a big part of the tournament. The experience gave me an opportunity to see just how closely baseball is intertwined with what Taiwanese spirit is. It is reflected on and off the baseball field. From the mannerism the players carry off the field with their teammates, to the resourcefulness of the training staff with their limited supply, to the respect they pay to the opponents, and finally to their style of play on the field, I felt like I was seeing the history of Taiwan summed up in the game of baseball.
Taiwan picked up baseball when it was a Japanese colony from the late 1800’s to the 1940‘s. Today, Taiwanese baseball is a delicate blend of Japanese influences with Taiwan’s own characteristics. The Japanese concept of Senpai - a reciprocal seniority based mentoring relationship - is a guiding principle for the team. The older players are dedicated to passing on their skills and the knowledge of the game to the younger players, through their interactions on and off the field. The harmony of the team is valued above anything else. Acts like throwing helmets and breaking bats never happen in the dugout. They players have too much respect for their teammates to potentially affect them.
On the field, Taiwan plays quite an aggressive style of speed and power. To me it always seems the players play with the ambition and energy as if their backs were against the wall, very much like the underdog small island Taiwan is. Gritty and gutsy plays, strong work ethics, and the never say die attitude, are big reasons why the team still has international success when the players are often physically disadvantaged and have little support for their baseball careers. In many ways, it is a reflection of the hard working attitude most Taiwanese people I know have. Despite of the challenges, we eventually always find a way to survive.
Perhaps I am too sentimental about baseball and Taiwan, but in writing this piece just days away from the upcoming Taiwanese presidential election, I can’t help but feeling inspired by what the future may hold for Taiwan. In a way, baseball and Taiwan have come full circle together. Baseball is the neutering mother island. On this team, we have the aborigines, the ethnic Hans, the US and Japanese expats - all different groups of True Taiwanese - working together towards a common goal. We have the upmost respect for each other, even though there are many differences among us. Much bigger and stronger opponents are out there, but as long as we stay with each other as a team, we can always figure out a way to break through and survive. Just like Taiwan always has.
Jan 21st was our last day in Uganda. So very quickly the trip was coming to an end. Although I had been exhausted from photographing during the day and editing/filing the images at night, my spirit could not help but pick up when I see the kids. They have so much joy on their faces, especially when they play. On this last day we played at Kyambogo, Ivan’s home turf. It felt like a picnic and party. Tents and BBQ were set up by the field. There was music blaring. Right to Play came to lead some games for all the kids. Of course by today the kids were best friends. They sat together, fooled around, played some really good baseball, and finally, it was time to say good bye. There was a little bit of tears ( mostly the adults… ), but if I had to describe it in one word, I think without a doubt it’s “hope”. The kids are going to be just fine, and I am excited for them for their bright future. Baseball is not the magic bullet to solve all the problems. Nothings is. But through baseball, I see enormous strength and wisdom in these kids. Uganda, Canada, the world. We are in good hands if we create more experiences like this for our future generation. Our kids don’t need us to hold their hands. They just need the opportunity to go out and play. They are more than capable of figuring things out on their own. More often than not, there are many things we can learn from them. Thank you guys for allowing me the opportunity to be part of this amazing journey. I am very fortunate to be inspired by you all. The sincerity, curiosity, and joy. I am learning, but I hope one day I will be like you guys, always running at full speed with so much joy.
This is the end of my diary for my Uganda trip. Sportsnet also came along to Uganda to make a wonderful TV documentary. It’s airing this Sunday on Sportsnet at 2pm PST and 5PM EST. Here is a link to the preview: http://righttoplay.akaraisin.com/YouthBaseball. If you are inspired by these kids, please consider donating to Right to Play.
Sportsnet Magazine is also running an iPad special on this story this month with my photo essay. Here is the link to purchase the magazine on iTunes.
Today is an off day from baseball. I went to visit Makerere school with Right to Play, the film crews, and Derrek Lee. Right to Play educates children through sports and play. In today’s case, they partnered up with the local school to teach kids important health issues.
I gotta give Derrek Lee some credit. He has been so kind and unassuming. I can tell he really wants to do his part to help.
The children are all so beautiful. I had lots of fun jumping around and dancing with them. They love having their pictures taken, and love to look at themselves on the back of the camera even more. Everywhere I went there were sweet little hands wanting to hold mine. The Ugandan children I have met are all so jolly. They don’t have much, but they are all so positive. I have a lot to learn from them.
Domaine di Boisbuchet evening. The week I spent at Domaine di Boisbuchet was one of the highlights for me this year. The one week we spent studying design and building everything by hands definitely has changed how I view myself as a creative. I am still very hesitant to call myself an artist, but I have come to realize my medium does not need to be limited to just photography. It is just one creative language I speak now to tell stories. There can be many more.
Torino
Barcelona
I am back in Canada! What a trip in the last 5 weeks or so. Here is an image from the workshop I did at Domaine de Boisbuchet in France. I worked with the amazing CuldeSac from Valencia, and a bunch of very talented designers to create a fun outdoor installation. It was definitely a very inspiring experience for a photographer who never builds anything by hand! It gave me a new perspective on photography and my creative process. But most precious of all, I made some great friends! The nights of us sitting by the bonfire, dancing to 80’s disco, swimming in the lake, and being totally immersed in nature and art, will never be forgotten.
If you have ever been inspired by sports, I think you might be interested in this little documentary I made. Tugende Baseballer is a story about baseball in Uganda. It’s about 8 minutes long. Please have a watch, share it, and perhaps consider supporting this great cause.
rileymaclean