Happy, No Happy and the Art of the Eight Limbs
by Lung S Liu
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About the Book
The documentation of the joys and sorrows of life by the tracks in Central Bangkok came about from a conversation with a man who lived there. He invited me into his home, offered me food and drinks, and asked me simply, "Bangkok: happy, no happy?" In that instant, I had an epiphany. Here, in this community situated on a tiny sliver of land, we can find all the ranges of emotions that encompasses the tragedy, beauty, and hope of the human spirit. We can find something of ourselves in them as one people on this earth.
There is poverty here, but there is also happiness and hope; there is the struggle for a better life. The Muay Thai training camps along the tracks at first fascinated me, then led me to continue my journey away from Central Bangkok to explore the lives of these young fighters.
Muay Thai (also known as the Art of the Eight Limbs for the utilization of eight points of their bodies for striking) is ingrained in Thai culture: it is played on every television set, taught in every city and village, and is the salvation of those who have no other means of livelihood. Fighters are trained at an early age under a regimen so brutal that their bodies are rarely able to sustain careers past their twenties. Yet despite what this life demands of them, fighters continue to do so for survival on the most basic of levels. They do it for the body, which is to be fed and sheltered; and they do it for the spirit, which is to be noticed and adored and the attainment of their dreams and desires.
There is poverty here, but there is also happiness and hope; there is the struggle for a better life. The Muay Thai training camps along the tracks at first fascinated me, then led me to continue my journey away from Central Bangkok to explore the lives of these young fighters.
Muay Thai (also known as the Art of the Eight Limbs for the utilization of eight points of their bodies for striking) is ingrained in Thai culture: it is played on every television set, taught in every city and village, and is the salvation of those who have no other means of livelihood. Fighters are trained at an early age under a regimen so brutal that their bodies are rarely able to sustain careers past their twenties. Yet despite what this life demands of them, fighters continue to do so for survival on the most basic of levels. They do it for the body, which is to be fed and sheltered; and they do it for the spirit, which is to be noticed and adored and the attainment of their dreams and desires.
Features & Details
- Primary Category: Arts & Photography Books
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Project Option: Standard Landscape, 10×8 in, 25×20 cm
# of Pages: 102 - Publish Date: Jun 16, 2009
- Keywords Happy No Happy, Art of the Eight Limbs, Muay Thai, Daily Living, Bangkok, Thailand, Documentary
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About the Creator
Lung Liu
Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
Photographer with recent accomplishments in: Travel Photographer of the Year 2012 Pollux Awards 2011 Lux Awards 2010 Prix de la Photographie, Paris, 2009 B&W 2008 Portfolio Contest Award B&W 2008 Single Image Contest Lucie Awards 2007 PX3 2007 PhotoLife Image International 2007 Lucie Awards 2006