Parkour – Is it Art?
January 9th 2008 00:06
The art of Movement
Dance is an art, right? Martial is an art, right? So does anyone else see the discipline of Parkour as Human Art?
Pushing the human body to extreme coordination and focused on efficient energy use in conquest of obstacles against a concrete jungle. Parkour is as beautiful to watch as a passionate Tango with all the attitude of street art.
"The physical aspect of parkour is getting over all the obstacles in your path as you would in an emergency. You want to move in such a way, with any movement, as to help you gain the most ground on someone or something, whether escaping from it or chasing toward it." – Founder David Belle
Referred to as “L'art du déplacement” or “the art of displacement”, The Parkour philosophy was born out of the slums of Paris by David Belle Hubert Koundé. Designed as a freestyle means of escape and pursuit the fundamental attraction was motivated achievement and direction in the ghetto.
Running and jumping, the athletic and nimble movements, spectacular leaps and precise landings set against an urban backdrop astonish. An aesthetic environment where your surroundings are an empty canvas, ready to be painted with flexible figures whose fluid physical manoeuvres dazzle spontaneously while death defying.
Mainstream audiences were introduced to the skillful wonders of traceurs in the footchase of the latest James Bond adventure Casino Royale. Before that it’s early practitioners were a massive hit on youtube.
I still find myself in awe of the sheer heights they can plummet from without injury and the poetic style and grace of execution. Taking the everyday and giving it a fresh spin, isn’t that what art is all about?
For more information on Parkour in Australia, please visit parkour.asn.au
For those who have not witnessed these marvels check out the clips below.
A more up artistic production - Parkour: City Gents
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