Dancers Among Us

Dancers Among Us is a project by photographer Jordan Matter. He placed professional dancers in motion in the middle of scenes of ordinary life in New York City in order to explore how people identify themselves.

I wondered about the impact of the recession on people’s identities. If a woman loses her job, does she lose a part of her identity as well? Who is the journalist, if he is no longer employed to write? Who is the chef without a kitchen? Is our identity formed by our passion, or our employment?

I believe in the strength of a life’s mission. If you dedicate yourself to a career that inspires and excites you, this commitment will be your foundation. As these dancers ride the subway, go to a baseball game or cross the street, they remain dancers; it is their lifeblood.

Gallery via Urlesque