Paul Grimmer Without Mind (2011)
image: Ewelina Aleksandrowicz

Without Mind (2011) was developed through a cross-­‐generational collaboration with the artist’s 80 year old Grandfather, who has practiced and taught the martial art of Karate for over 25 years and holds a black belt 3rd dan grade. Development began with an exploration of learning and evolved into a moving image portrait of the individual composed through an examination of movement and form. Capturing a sense of tension between intimacy and detachment in the handling of the subject the work uses documentation to subtly foreground underlying narratives of vulnerability and strength.

Karate training involves the repeated practice of specific movement phrases or kata (form) until they can be performed without thought and with a clear mind, free from fear, anger and ego, a state known as Mushin. The work focuses on 3 of the advanced kata routines forming a further portrait of memory and capturing the skill, power, agility and focus involved in the discipline. Conventional assumptions of age and deterioration are also questioned as the work unfolds, dissecting time, slowing to reveal the detail of each movement. Familiar representations of the aging body are subverted to reveal a body that is strong, dynamic, monumentally present, dancing an intricate dance with an invisible opponent.

Without Mind was developed during a residency with Dance City (Newcastle upon Tyne) and with support from Arts Council England.

Thanks to: Nick Able (Nick Able Music), Ewelina Aleksandrowicz & Andrzej Wojtas (Hacksquad), George Grimmer, Kyle Heslop and Fiona Wright.

Paul Grimmer was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1975 and studied Fine Art at Northumbria University. Since 2005 he has worked as an artist as well as coordinating events with live art organisation Platform North East and collaboratively setting up Piggyback Arts. He often works in collaboration and has spent time engaging with research in a number of scientific institutions in the UK including: The Medical Research Council, Virology Unit (Glasgow), Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology (Edinburgh) and Centre for Life (Newcastle upon Tyne). His moving image, installation and performance work explores the biological and psychological, focusing on gaps in understanding, tensions between opposing forces and the fluid nature of identity.

Recent exhibitions and performances include: ‘Looking from a distance’, solo exhibition (Berwick Gymnasium Gallery as part of the Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival 2011); ‘Changeling’, solo exhibition (Globe Gallery, North Shields); ‘Response’ (Felixstowe); ‘Wunderbar Festival’ (Newcastle upon Tyne); ‘Performans Zamini’ (Istanbul); ‘Triparks’, UK touring group exhibition (Princetown, Taunton, Newcastle upon Tyne) and screenings in the UK (Birmingham, Newcastle upon Tyne, Winchester), USA (Denver, Grand Rapids) and Europe (Esphino, Jena) of ‘Continuum’, a 360° video work made specifically for viewing in Planetariums. Grimmer also has work held in the permanent collection at Durham University.