About a year ago, a new long-term still project began to emerge. I call this project “In Works”.The idea is to explore different, artistic, athletic, and exploratory pursuits that are often overlooked or are not part of popular consumption. This is the first of what I hope will be many in a series of works exploring passionate people's pursuits for greatness within their craft.
This first installment comes from a long-time fascination with fencing. I've long admired the grace and agility within the sport, finding myself often referring to it as an art form. In early 2023 I began reaching out to different university's athletic departments in the hopes of pairing with a reputable university. While no pairing ended up taking place, I did catch the attention of a few very gifted fencers at UNC Chapel Hill. After a year of setbacks, I finally got Reza Merchant, a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill to come into the studio for an initial test session to kick off this journey.
I intend to use these sessions as an opportunity to explore something I don’t understand or have not been privy to. I’m truly looking at this as an exploratory process to learn more about people and the powers that drive their passions. I feel privileged that my art form provides me the vehicle to pull back the veil of these passionate pursuits. I know the depths at which a true passion can take someone and an opportunity to simply glimpse into a different world through a lens is exciting. I look forward to sharing my explorations throughout the coming years of “In Works”
From Reza Merchant.
I’ve loved fencing since I was 8 years old. I’ve tasted success and I’ve tasted failure on a daily basis for 13 years. As an ACC champion, MVP, and fencer of the year, I felt untouchable; but after two years of injuries and a major surgery, I wasn’t sure about coming back for my final season.
While fencing is often referred to as “physical chess,” I’ve always focused on using my height, strength, and power to get ahead. Tactics, emotions, and nerve are also critical factors to success in the sport. On the piste (or fencing strip), you’ll never feel more alone. The mask on your face can feel like freedom on the best day, or suffocation on the worst.
I’ve often felt that while I love fencing, this sport doesn’t love me back. Through my years of struggle and success, I’ve realized that love for a sport has nothing to do with the result, you have to love the process. As I begin senior year, my last year as a collegiate fencer, I’m spending every day at practice intentionally: and I can feel the love again.
I hope you can see the passion I have for this sport, the highs, the lows, and everything in between in these photos. I’m so lucky to be able to share these emotions and my experiences in this amazing unique sport with you all.