Ju-Jitsu as art? Or more specifically, Brazilian Ju-Jitsu as art? If Ju-Jitsu, the ancient form of martial art that originated in Japan over 2500 years ago, is the sun then Brazilian Ju-Jitsu is the heat that emanates from the bright orange sphere. Adopted from the pure form of Ju-Jitsu by the Gracie family (the definition of martial arts royalty), Brazilian Ju-Jitsu has quickly outpaced Judo and Aikido as the venerable form’s most prevalent seed. But is it art? Photographer Tiago Molinos thinks so. And Nat Creole would have to agree. The mighty Kurokobushi sat down with the photographer in a corner of Tokyo to discuss his exhibition, Submission Grappling: The Science of Control, which recently enjoyed a run at the Cystem Gallery in Tokyo, to discuss finding art within the martial arts.

Kurokobushi: Alright, sitting down with Tiago, Tell me what was concept for the Submission Grappling Science?

Tiago Molinos: I trained a little bit of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil, but it wasn’t a great academy, I ended up moving to New York where I work as a fashion photographer. As a photographer, I always had the idea in the back of my mind to do something where I could express myself photographically. It developed naturally as I started training more with Renzo. It was like rediscovering Jiu-Jitsu. I had heard about the Abu-Dhabi and I was like Wow! I spent more time with Renzo and he started training for the competition so I just decided to capture that and see what I could do with it. That was the original idea, photograph him training, photograph him getting ready and then he said “Tiago, why don’t you come to Brazil for 2003 Abu Dhabi Qualifiers and take this even further.” I was like wow that’s amazing!

I went to shoot a tournament and it was a mind blowing experience. I mean it is photography but it’s not the type of photography that I was used to. In fashion I can control everything, the models, which light I’m going to use, and suddenly I find myself doing sports where it’s not about my decision on what’s gong to happen. It’s about my decision to capture what’s going to happen. It was incredible; it was the most liberating feeling in my life. It was the first time in photography where I didn’t have anyone telling me what to do, a client, or a person above me, an art director. I truly discovered freedom.

kkb: I heard that you have taken over 2000 photos?

TM: Actually, (long pause with a look to the right, accessing the left hemisphere) about 6000 photos, 6000 frames.

kkb: What was one of the deciding factors for what made the exhibition?

TM: My thinking is that submission grappling is really difficult for a person who has never done it to understand. Another thing is that people are used to the moving images, video, cinema. So I was thinking how I can set up the pictures in a way that people can see the movement. Even though the images are freezed, you don’t see what’s going on you just see the movement. I wanted to create a certain feeling and that’s why I developed this layout. It’s kind of like a collage with pictures telling a little story, it brings some sort of movement in the static image, in the freezed moment of the photography. It took me a long time, I didn’t use any computers, and I did it by hand. I drew the layout; I chose frame by frame which picture will fit the layout. It was wicked and liberating because it was another aspect that I wasn’t used to as a photographer. I ended up creating a whole different layout based on the ideas I had in my mind.

Kkb: Okay, looking at your work, why did you choose to open the exhibition in Japan? Why are we here now?

TM: It’s funny because I didn’t choose Japan. I didn’t choose anything. I feel like Japan chose me, I feel like Jiu-Jitsu brought me here, do you understand? It’s like the project had a life of its own. It was the Jiu-Jitsu connection, my friend Noda is a makeup artist in New York and he works with me, he didn’t know me but he saw my projects published in Id magazine, and we ended up meeting. We train Jiu-Jitsu at different academies in New York, he’s Alliance and I’m Renzo, but it’s all Jiu-Jitsu. In the end, he introduced me to Tokura, who knows Shinji-san. He saw my pictures and I received an email from him and he wanted to show my pictures. Shinji’s gallery usually deals with graffiti artists, and skateboarders. This is the first time that he’s done photography. I was thrilled with the idea, and that’s why I feel that the project has a life of its own. It has gone much further than I’d ever expected. I would go to jobs and take my pictures with me to show to clients because I have something to say. I do things other than fashion photography. I love fashion and I’ve dedicated over 12 years of my life to fashion. But, at some point I felt like I have something else that I have to say and that’s this project.

Kkb: What’s your message to people that don’t know anything about martial arts?

TM: It’s quite hard, but I believe grappling is an answer, a metaphor for life. Even though I’m only a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt, I consider myself a warrior. I use Jiu-Jitsu in my daily life, I use Jiu-Jitsu in difficult moments and it’s not a question of fighting, it’s mental, Jiu-Jitsu is cerebral. It’s all about fight, escape, or submission, it’s a way of life. I don’t know, it’s hard for me to explain, but it’s a grappling art and in my opinion it’s the answer, I don’t need to punch to defend myself. I use my brain. It’s not about how strong you are, how powerful you are, or your stamina, it’s about leverage. You know life puts us in weird situations, it’s like you always have an elbow escape and you can use that escape to put yourself in a better position.

Kkb: It looks we’re reaching one stage, what are some future doors you see opening up?

TM: Well, like I said before, the project has a life of its own and to be honest its way more than I ever expected. Definitely, I want to take Jiu-Jitsu with Shinji by my side to some of the biggest museums in the world. I believe its art, it’s the way a lot of people express themselves and why not show the world that. I would like to share the legacy that the Gracie Family gave us. I read before that once you hang out with the Gracie family, you’re life will change in many different ways, and it’s true.


Tiago's work has appeared in Another Magazine, i-D, and Sleek Magazine. But if you look around enough you may seem him all over. International photographer indeed.