honorable mention
Daniel Antalfi austria
title
Ode to the fighter
Spending some time in Thailand, constantly surrounded by all the advertisement for the regular fighting events, my curiosity grew eagerly to discover whether these arenas are offering fake tourist attractions or people can actually experience authentic, raw fighting scenes.
The series of “Ode to the fighter” is made from a first-row audience perspective. I wanted to demonstrate not only the brutality of Muay Thai, but also the human part of it. Fighters towards their masters and managers, and naturally against each other. Before, during and after the dispute.
If you look close enough, you might be able to feel the overflowing smell of the mixture of tiger balm and human sweat, and listen how the crowd is getting louder with every smash of flesh and bones, as the voice of the Javanese clarinet is getting more intense with each and every round.
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entry description
Muay Thai is one of the most brutal combat sports of the world. Athletes from all over the world are arriving to Thailand every year to prove themselves and challenge the born Thai fighters.Spending some time in Thailand, constantly surrounded by all the advertisement for the regular fighting events, my curiosity grew eagerly to discover whether these arenas are offering fake tourist attractions or people can actually experience authentic, raw fighting scenes.
The series of “Ode to the fighter” is made from a first-row audience perspective. I wanted to demonstrate not only the brutality of Muay Thai, but also the human part of it. Fighters towards their masters and managers, and naturally against each other. Before, during and after the dispute.
If you look close enough, you might be able to feel the overflowing smell of the mixture of tiger balm and human sweat, and listen how the crowd is getting louder with every smash of flesh and bones, as the voice of the Javanese clarinet is getting more intense with each and every round.
about the photographer
I am a professional photographer, i was studying photography in a private insitute and literature at the University Vienna. In my final master thesis i was investigating the connection between photography and literature. In 2018, i won the first Austrian Leica Photography competition, which were followed by a yearly cooperation with the company Leica. On my every day life basis, i am a studio/event/theater/art-photographer. As an artist, i am trying to discover the language behind photography, expressing emotions and feelings through my personal narrative.back to gallery