Diary for 4thJune to 10th June 2009

THURSDAY 4th June- Upcoming Wales Anthropology Day

For those of you who have not yet had a chance to book for Wales Anthropology Day (WAD), now is your chance to do so! The WAD takes place on 19th June at the University of Wales, Lampeter. WAD is an open university taster day for students interested in learning about what anthropologists do and what it like to study the subject at university. Similar to its' sister event the London Anthropology Day, it provides an opportunity to actively engage with the discipline through interactive workshops on biological anthropology and social anthropology. To book your free place visit the WAD website.


FRIDAY 5th June- Spotlight on Indigenous Peoples

Today I am going to book in advance for a 'question time discussion' focusing on the lives of indigenous peoples around the world. The event takes place on 11th June from 6:15-7:30pm at the Royal Commonwealth Society. The discussion is a unique opportunity to hear from people who have in depth knowledge and first hand expertise of working with indigenous communities. Guest speakers include for example, Stephen Corry, Director of Survival International (an international organisation supporting tribal peoples around the world); Purna Sen, Head of Human Rights at the Commonwealth Secretariat and Davi Kopenawa Yanomami, a Yanomami Spokesperson. To find out more about the even visit this webiste. The discussion is free and open to all but advance booking is required. To book your free place email publicaffairs@thercs.org or go through the RCS's registration here.








SATURDAY 6th June- Feedback for Lucy !

Lucy would like to ask readers of Anthropologist About Town for some feedback on ways to improve the blog. Some of you have already gotten in touch and asked for events to be put up ahead of time (when possible) in order to ensure there is enough time to book places. Others have suggested putting podcasts on the blog. If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see more of (links, books, or certain aspects or subdisciplines of anthropology) please let me know by emailing: writetolucy@gmail.com Any constructive criticism and feedback is greatly appreciated!



SUNDAY 7th June- A glimpse into marginalised communities in Japan

According to Director Kazuhiro Soda, ' no one is immune to mental illness'. The stress of living an urban lifestyle, with its associated pressures and sense of loneliness, loosing a loved one, or being victims of abuse, are just some examples of how people can cross the imaginary boundary between 'health' and 'illness'. When it comes to tackling the subject of mental illness, Mr. Soda has found that it is still very much taboo. In his new film MENTAL, Mr. Soda tries to let the complex realities and voices of people in a outpatient mental health clinic in Okayama, Japan speak for themselves. His film making techniques also alow room for the audience to make their own assessments of the different interwoven narratives. MENTAL has won various awards, including best documentary film at Dubai and Pusan film festivals. Take a look at the movie's trailer as well as its associated website for more information about the film, the director and future screenings.


MONDAY 8th June- The Accessible Arctic

Today I am heading to the Canada House near Trafalgar square to take a look at their new exhibition on 80 years of Arctic photography. The arctic which makes up 40% of Canada's landmass, has over 100, 000 people living there, with indigenous peoples making up 80% of the population in certain regions. The photos in the exhibit are from articles featured in the Royal Canadian Geographical Society's magazine: Canadian Geographic. The exhibit was assembled and curated by the Canadian Museum of Nature, an organisation which has led in Northern research and Canada's natural history. Addressing issues concerning climate change, sustainable economic development and collaboration between peoples from circumpolar regions, is seen as essential by Northern Canadians to the survival of the people and the land. The exhibition is open to all and free from 10:00am-18:00pm Monday-Friday. For more information on the exhibition take a look here.



TUESDAY 9th June- Learning through observation: life in a co-educational school in India

As part of the run up to the 11th RAI International Festival of Ethnographic Film, taking place on the 1st-4th of July in Leeds, a series of film screenings is being held at the Hyde Park Picture House. Most are award winning films from previous RAI film festivals, and have reached international appeal. Tonight's film is called Schoolscapes produced by acclaimed ethnographic film maker David McDougall. Cherished for it innovative use of the camera and power to tell a story without the use of narration or subtitles, the film explores the life of students in a co-educational school founded on Krishnamutri's philosophies. The screening starts at 6:30pm. For more information and to book visit this website.


WEDNESDAY 10th June- Behind the academic lens

Today I am heading to UCL to meet the new generation of visual anthropologists. The Oxford Academy of Documentary Film is putting on some excellent documentary film screenings of student work from UCL's Department of Anthropology's new course in Practical Ethnographic and Documentary Filmmaking. Ranging from 3-20min, the films cover topics from homo sapiens kissing in Russel Square, to the meanings people find in cities and confounding stereotypes of Islam in Britain. The film screenings will take place from 4:30pm to 6:00pm in Theatre One, the Cruciform Building, UCL (Gower street entrance, opp. Porter's Lodge). Open to all.