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The Edge of the Blade
- Fencing is a sport of quick actions and reactions. One where body language can make the difference between a won or lost bout. It is also a sport with an often unnoticed, yet remarkably large group of participants. We chose to delve into this culture for our gateway multimedia project. Our prompt, "life on the edge" drew us away from the more straightforward topics to a less obvious subject. In a play on words, we chose to see the "edge" as the edge of a blade. Through our interviews with various fencers around Eugene, we found that the edge of the blade was not the only place where this concept could be found. The boundary between opponents on the piste, or fencing strip, is constantly being tested and crossed. The athletes are always at the edge of their endurance while striving to maintain their composure as the bouts drag on. Fencing is a very distinct culture that developed from the need for a way to settle disputes in the past, and in a sense this tradition lives on. Each fencer is there to prove his or herself, to prove the sharpness of their sight and the quickness of their movements and how well they have mastered the edge.
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Recent Site Articles
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Q&A with Sean Hayes, Maestro at the Northwest Fencing Academy
by bmcbee@uoregon.edu on 2nd February 2014Sean Hayes is an instructor at the Northwest Fencing Academy, where he not only teaches fencing but other Medieval Martial
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Q&A with Natalie Whitson, Beginner Coach at the Eugene Fencers Club
by kwalsh@uoregon.edu on 31st January 2014Natalie Whitson is the “Beginner” coach at the local Eugene Fencers Club. She is also the author of Advice to
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Q&A with Mary Lowe, Eugene Fencers Club Member
by emendon@uoregon.edu on 31st January 2014Mary Lowe is a member of the local Eugene Fencers Club and has been fencing since college. In college she
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Q&A with Max, UO Fencing Club Member
by emendon@uoregon.edu on 31st January 2014Max is a University of Oregon sophomore and is a member of the UO Fencing Club. He has been fencing
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Q&A with Kristin, UO Fencing Club Member
by emendon@uoregon.edu on 31st January 2014Kristin is a sophomore at University of Oregon and is a member of the UO Fencing Club. She has been
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Q&A with Holly Bishop, Head Coordinator of the UO Fencing Club
by bmcbee@uoregon.edu on 30th January 2014Holly Bishop is the head coordinator for the UO Fencing Club. She has been fencing for two and a half
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Q&A with Bob Smith, an 82-Year-Old Fencing Beginner
by bmcbee@uoregon.edu on 30th January 2014Bob Smith is an 82-year-old retiree who has just started fencing. Allyx Pershing: To start off why did you get involved
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Making a Point of Practicing: Eugene Fencers are Living on the Edge
by bmcbee@uoregon.edu on 29th January 2014There is a subculture in Eugene that very few people think to look for. It is something that provides its
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Q&A with Paul McNamara, founder of the Eugene Fencers Club
by bmcbee@uoregon.edu on 29th January 2014Paul McNamara is the founder, president, and head coach of the Eugene Fencers Club. He has been competing for 35
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Q&A with Sean Hayes, Maestro at the Northwest Fencing Academy
Life En Garde
A sharper look at the people and culture of fencing in Eugene
