Lucy Special: Open City beams into the 12th International RAI Festival of Ethnographic Film 24-25th June

Still from the work of Melissa Llewelyn-Davies

I see from the brochure of the forthcoming RAI film festival that an interesting conversation is ongoing between the Open City and RAI film fests. The conversation takes the form of a screening exchange, reflective of wider interest both within and without the discipline regarding the identity, place and situation of ethnographic film within the documentary genre. It’ll be interesting to see how it develops.

The RAI showed films at the Open City this weekend and, in exchange, the Open City adds extra flavour to the RAI festival pot in the form of Open City screenings. On the 24^th (2-7pm) the ‘Gypsies In Film’ includes the ‘Big Fat Gypsy Weddings’ which should provoke some interesting debate/discussion from an anthropologically-minded audience. The 25^th brings ‘The Maasai Saga (1974-1994)’ considering the body of work produced by director Melissa Llewelyn-Davies with the Maasai people and including a session in conversation with her. Two very different offerings from this other gem of a documentary film fest but ones that serve to add even more variety to that on offer on the regular festival schedule, considered in previous postings. The festival is being held at various venues at University College London between 23^rd-26^th June and details on screenings and bookings can be found at www.raifilmfest.org.uk

June Diary 2011

Hi everyone, as it’s the cusp of the summer-at least in pagan terms-I thought I’d look at what is best and brightest to bring in the sun as well as topical events occurring around the country. Next month, we’ll go for a full-on school’s out bonanza so send in your end-of-term/last-blast-before-going-on-holiday-type stuff to the usual address!



London:


National Portrait Gallery :


‘Ida Kar: Bohemian Photographer 1908-1974’: until 19th June
http://www.npg.org.uk/whatson/exhibitions/2011/ida-kar-bohemian-photographer-minisite/ida-kar-tickets

Taking the breeze in old Havana:
copyright Ida Kar

The first photographer to have retrospective installation at Whitechapel art Gallery in 1960, little-known Ida provided a fairly singular female presence within the creative avant-garde. She was a key player in migrating perceptions of photography into the fine art canon and portrayed major literary and artistic figures from 50’s and 60’s including Henry Moore, Georges Braque and Jean-Paul Sartre. However, in addition to the opportunity to see these figures in the flesh, is the chance to see their environs; the spaces from which the created or thought. This approach applied equally to her in everyday life (as with the Havana image above) providing a view on cultural life post-war. This is a paid exhibition but a bit of a bargain at only £2 with student ID or £3 without. Call 020 7907 7079 (transaction fee applies) or visit the above site.



Victoria and Albert Museum:


‘Figures and Fictions: Ethnographic Photography from the Global South’:
Conference (24-25th June) and exhibition (until 17th July)
http://amethyst.vam.ac.uk/activ_events/courses/conferences/index.html

'Balabwa' from 'Real Beauties' series
by Jodi Bieber 2008 

Elizabeth Edwards, major and prolific contributor to the understanding and readings of imagery past and present from an anthropological perspective, joins speakers including artists and curators in considering the influence of South African photographers across disciplinary fields. The exhibition displays work that seeks to describe the complex relationships involved in communicating personal and national identity-an enduring concern within South Africa pre- and post-Apartheid. The common theme of subjectivity, power relationship between those behind and in front of the lens, and the consequent presentation of identity is explored. An additional element within this equation comes from a direct confrontation with the use of photography as part of the colonial project in addition to, or as associated with, the anthropological gaze employed in historical ethnographic work carried out in the country and the negotiations and responses described in the current artwork displayed. The themes being explored in this exhibition echo, to an extent, those considered by Christopher Pinney, who writes extensively on camera as artificial ‘eye’ and the uses and abuses of photography as part of ethnographic and colonial endeavour.


Open City:
Prince Charles screening of ‘Shoah’: 18th June

Contact Michael Stewart on 020 7679 8637 or 07989 401038

Screened at the Prince Charles Cinema as part of Open City festival, the epic 9-hour ‘Shoah’ is being accompanied by a Q and A with director Claude Lanzmann. Relying entirely on footage shot at sites of crimes and interviews with survivors it is the documentary tour-de-force, testifying to the premise of getting information from those present, interested or involved in events. Again, this is a ticketed event but it is reduced to £25 for students, otherwise £35. A bonus is that if you have an NUS card and Open City ticket, you can get annual membership to the Prince Charles for £2.50 enabling bargainous cinema entry for a good while to come. Plus, if want ot get in some reading on the subject before going, check out Michael Mack ‘Anthropology as Memory: Elias Canetti’s and Franz Baermann Steiner’s Response to the Shoah’ (Niemeyer: 2003)



British Museum:
Room 91 ‘Baskets and belonging Indigenous Australian histories’: until 11 September
http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on.aspx

As part of the Australia season, the British Museum is displaying a roomful of hand-woven baskets next-door to that of the contemporary output of graphic artists from across the country. This creates a nice tie-in between arts and crafts, especially as Aboriginal artists are also well-represented in the contemporary arts so not confined to representation in relation solely to traditional crafting.


In a room arrayed with varieties of styles, fashions and purposes of woven carrying devices, the representation of methods and variation across the diverse regional Aboriginal group add up to a compact survey of both their individual and related material cultures as well as histories and experience. The practice of basketry appears to have been maintained despite the cultural disruption imposed by colonisers. The exhibition contains examples from the historic to the present which equally demonstrate adaptive usage of available materials. The examples I found most arresting were, in fact, the recent examples, objects whose ‘social life’ was intimately involved in their being woven with the ‘ghost nets’ cut loose from fishing boats and what these mean to communities. As these nets are left to drift in the sea, they pointlessly trap and kill sealife. For the locals, this means that salvage is seen by locals as necessary for protecting local environments and their reuse as transformative of something that has become harmful back to being purposive. The resulting bags reflect ongoing traditions in style and decorative flair, adding new elements in the nature and colours of the material, as other materials and substances have once introduced to the cultural space. An interesting interaction with colonisation arises, for example, with the synthetic dyes used by missionaries becoming incorporated, displacing earlier natural dying techniques. These incorporations, as well as changing uses and purposes for production add to the creation of new forms of object related to a tradition. The baskets reveal other information related to historic modes of living and relation across groups; their individuality yet interconnectivity and the familial, personal and spiritual connectivity and meaning of decorative markings. The exhibition provides welcome illumination and insight into a culture too often pigeon-holed or simply overlooked, revealing a rich and varied material cultural which remains not only alive and kicking but also regenerating.



Barbican Hall:

‘A Night In Tahrir Square’ El-Tanbura:22nd July 7.30pm
http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=12277

Veteran Egyptian band El-Tanbura who have been likened in essence to the Buena Vista Social Club for their preservation of older sounds and presence of older members, are recreating the sounds, sensation and atmosphere of f the revolutionary popular occupation of Cairo’s Tahrir Square. I’ve seen them playing in the Egyptian rooms in the British Museum and, in addition to fine musicianship and renditions of the Egyptian soundscape, the performance had added magic by way of their use of a now-defunct, ancient instrument, a Pharonic lyre called the simsimiyya, an example of which they donated to the Petrie Museum at UCL. This performance is a reflection on and continuation of their performance presence at the Square during the demonstrations, helping with other poets and musicians to break down fear and constraints from years of political opporession. Footage of this can be seen at http://blog.afropop.org/2011/02/el-tanbura-continues-celebration-in.html. Although this event’s tickets start at £12.50 and I try to put only low- or no-cost things on here, it would be a great opportunity to see and feel an element of that historic event and I reckon it might sell-out which is why I’m putting it on in advance. I really hope to be able to make it so hopefully, see you there! In the meantime, the events of the ‘Arab Spring’ provoked some interesting commentary and analysis; for an anthropological perspective look at Saba Mahmood’s contributions throughout the period on www.antropologi.info/blog/anthropology/2011/egypt-protests, http://www.antropologi.info/blog/anthropology/2011/arab-revolution-2 and the discussion at the American University in Cairo conference in it’s aftermath regarding Western perception and Orientalisation of the revolution http://www.antropologi.info/blog/anthropology/2011/auc-tahrir-conference.



Nationwide:

Refugee Week: 20-26th June
http://www.refugeeweek.org.uk/

Infra-red Congo
 (copyright John Baily)

There is deluge of stuff happening across the country for Refugee Week, seeking to think, express, activate, experiment, reflect and celebrate what is to be seeking and finding refuge both in the UK and the places from which individuals come. There are creative meditations and expressions, discussions, cultural presentations and discussions, as well as educational and experiential activities reflecting and exploring self, group/cultural identity and situation within different environmental contexts. Highlighting the experiences, challenges, risks and successes of those seeking, awaiting and finding refuge and asylum in the UK, Refugee Week provides invaluable country-wide focus and forums for direct interaction, encounter and presentation of issues and experience of those seeking a place to be.


The Week’s events provide a good opportunity not only to gain insight and contact with the lived, everyday reality of migration, movement and displacement of involved individuals but those they work or gather with in grassroots support and activist groups to voluntary (or Third) and public sector organisations. The few examples offered here demonstrate a range of such opportunities to connect with an area of significant anthropological interest and activity. There are lots more to find on the site above. All those listed and most on offer are free entry. Anthropologists engaged in looking at migrant and refugee experience include Christopher McDowell who focuses on international experience from the political anthropological perspective. Also, Liisa.H.Malkki captured vividly a specific refugee experience which can give an insight into more general sensations of displacement and identity association in ‘Purity and Exile: Violence, Memory and National Cosmology Among Hutu Refugees In Tanzania’ (Chicago:1995)



Bradford:


Lloyds’ Café Bar hosts ‘Sanctuary Sunday’: 26th June 3-7pm


Bradford, dubbed ‘City of Sanctuary’, is culminating the week with an event exploring Congalese experience as expressed in artistic and cultural heritage and affected by the adverse conditions and experiences imposed by colonialism, commercial and industrial activity.


Manchester:

Beswick Library ‘The Distance We Have Travelled’: until 29th June


An exhibition exploring identity and sense of place with reference to West African identity and origin.

Levenshulme Library ‘Romani’: 13th June 6pm


Members of the local Gypsy/Romani community share their life and cultural experiences in a live dialogue.

Glasgow:

Sighthill Community Centre 11th June 7pm onwards

Music Evening with Scotlanka: An intriguing mix of traditional music from Sri

Lanka and Scotland demonstrating a literal harmony of cultures plus Sri Lankan refreshments.


Nottingham:


Nottingham Photographers Hub ‘Seeking Stories’: 14-30th June


Artworks created by artists seeking or who have found asylum in the UK which use photography, painting, video and poetry describe viewpoints and interests of a diverse, global group. Private view on 17th June with world music and spoken word entertainments and refreshments.


Durham:


Clayport Library ‘Spinning Stories’: 17th June 10.30am-3.30pm


An exploration of identity through the creation of woven tapestry.


Paisley:


Paisley Museum: 17th June-17th July


‘Life After Iraq’: Exploring the displacement and lives of Iraqi refugees in Syria with reference to those who have settled in Scotland. Photography by Angerla Catlin, writing by Billy Briggs.


Hackney:


Human Rights Action Centre: 18th June 7-10pm


‘Celebrating Sanctuary in Hackney’


An evening of poetry, discussion, film, information and music with poet and performer Michael Rosen, speakers from Refugee Communities and Medical Justice, live music from the ‘Travelling Irons’ and a premiere of the film “Fit to Fly”. Also appearing is anthropologist, author and human rights campaigner Dr. Linda Rabben, author of ‘Give Refugee to the Stranger: The Past, Present and Future of Sanctuary’.



Manchester:


University of Manchester School of Social Sciences

‘Discover Social Anthropology’: 30th June


http://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/disciplines/socialanthropology/undergraduate/discover/

This is a departmental open day to enable teachers and 6th form students to discover what social anthropology and its new A-level is all about and can mean for their teaching/studies. For further details on the activities throughout the day and associated events go the above address and get thee to Manchester for a right good educating ;)




Other cultural doings:


Bradford:


Mela 2011: 12th June 10am-8pm
http://www.bradfordmela.org.uk/bradford_mela_2011

If you’re anywhere close to Bradford this Sunday, it’s well worth catching the mother of all European Mela’s. Literally the first in Europe and going strong after 23 years, the Mela offers a fine palette of entertainments, reflecting the original operation of mela’s as temporary, religious festival-orientated hubs trade, cultural and spiritual activity. The form started here concentrates on the cultural and trade aspects of that mix. Entertainments demonstrate the maintenance of strong South Asian/Indian sub-continent roots through artist’s local and global delivering contemporary and traditional, bhangra and Bollywood reflecting both the roots and extensions and interactions of music and dance forms throughout time and space from both ‘home’ and local cultures. This is further mixed up by broader strands of world music, street theatre, and a good dose of straight dance acts. Essentially, as well as having a good day out, it’s a good space in which to get a flavour of a South Asian community in contemporary Britain, across it’s many generations of settlement, and it’s cultural interactions within a city that has a long history of cultural diversity. As to the trading aspect, alongside the chance to dance and feeding the soul, a whole world of stalls feed the belly with Asian snack/curry food offerings. To fully engage in the trading, you can get in a bit of haggling and buy a new outfit (or the makings of one) and get saturated by colours and shiny stuff in the tented draperies of the clothing stalls. The whole space is a great one to reflect on the many and various forms of hijab on offer (amongst much else) and their meanings for wearers that Emma Tarlo wrote about in ‘Visibly Muslim’ (2010). Ultimately, if you get there for anthropological interest or good times, I hope you’ll find as I have for many years all the fun of the mela-see you down the front!



Stonehenge:


Summer Solstice Celebration: 20-21st June
http://www.stonehenge-stone-circle.co.uk/

Apparently, Winston Churchill was a Druid, according to Simon Strickland (angelfire.com/weird2/obscure2). I’m not sure that his current counterpart David Cameron will be amongst the contemporary Druidery gathering at the henge, but it will be a significant moment nonetheless as it may be the last time access is allowed. Despite thousands of years of annual activity to welcome back the sun, too many rowdy revelers (in good pagan style) are threatening the integrity of the site so this year’s celebration may well be monumental in more ways than one. To catch one of the last vestigial traces of Britain’s historic pagan culture, get down between around 7pm on 20th to around midday on the 21st. Anthropologists considering the Druidic tradition from the largely discredited 19th century Margaret Murray to the more recent Stuart Piggott and Susan Greenwood who considers the modern magico-pagan panoply in ‘Magic, Witchcraft and the Otherworld: An Anthropology’ (2000). The Jenny Blain and Robert Wallis’ 2007 investigation, ‘Sacred Sites-Contested Rites/Rights: Pagan Engagements with Archeological Monumnets’, considers British neo-paganism and contested sites of activity; speaking directly to this potential, final sealing of the Stonehenge site.

LUCY SPECIAL: Upcoming RAI Education Outreach Events

The RAI's Education Department is organising some great events in the next few months for A-level students, teachers, career advisers and mature students. Space is limited so it is recommended to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment!







Wednesday June 8th 2011: A-level Anthropology Teachers' Day

The RAI´s Education Committee is organising a special teachers' training day for those already involved in teaching the Anthropology A-level or who are planning to teach the A-level in the near future. The event will take place on June 8th at the Royal Anthropological Institute, located at 50 Fitroy St. London W1T-5BT.

The A-level Anthropology Teachers’ Day is intended to bring together teachers with members of the
Royal Anthropological Institute’s Education Committee – professional anthropologists who have
been involved in the development and support of the course. This will be the first meeting of many to come and will provide an opportunity for people to meet, to discuss progress so far and issues arising, and to plan future meetings. There will be ample opportunity for participants to meet informally, over coffee and lunch, as well as more direct inputs on issues such as
resources, the project activity in Unit 4, and a Q&A session with Senior AQA staff.

The day will include sessions on:
- resources for AS and A2
- teaching strategies, methods and ethnographic case studies for Unit 3 and 4
- discussions and experiences of AS
- a Q&A session on the examination procedure with the AQA examination team.
and more!

A detailed programme of the day can be found here


Registration Details:
If you are interested in attending this event, please email the RAI’s Office Manager at:
admin@therai.org.uk This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Registration costs £50 for the day which includes lunch and refreshments. Payments may be made using our website page: http://www.therai.org.uk/about-the-rai/order-from-us/payment/ 
The RAI accepts payment by cheque, credit card or bank transfer. If your school requires an invoice please contact us.

Thursday 14th July: London Anthropology Day 2011 

The RAI's Education Department has just opened their new online booking system for this year's London Anthropology Day (LAD).The event will be held at the British Museum's Education Clore Centre on 14th July 2011. This year's event will have 19 universities participating from England, Wales and Ireland making it the biggest event to date.


The LAD is a free university taster day for year 12, 13 students, teachers, career advisers. The day consists of an introduction to anthropology, (both biological and social),a range of interactive workshops run by anthropology lecturers, and presentations on applying to university and careers. All participating universities have representatives and information stalls at the day.

Take a look at the wide variety of workshops offered on the day, ranging from forensics and tattoos to anthropology of violence and ethnographic film. Before booking your place at the event, be sure to read the following booking information.

Lucy's Diary May 2011

I’ve been away bodding about another town so a last-minute entry kicks us off, heading up London’s offerings, as the first tantalising delicacy is already going on! As always, it’s all free unless otherwise stated.

School of Oriental and African Studies: http://www.hrelp.org/events/elw2011/index.html 

‘Endangered Languages Week’ (until 14^th May)

This event seeks to navigate the geographies, social places and cultural influences as well as fragilities of the huge number (over half) of global languages currently threatened with extinction. Including opportunities to familiarise yourself with them through lectures, discussion, demonstration and exhibition and display in arts and media materials, this fascinating week promise to leave no aspect of ‘meeting a language’ unturned. The presentation of SOAS MA student’s ‘London Language Landscape’ and the Brunei Gallery’s hosting of a range of materials presented by organisations involved in language preservation sound particularly interesting. I’m certainly going to catch what I can, if nothing else to see if Cornish crops up. I’m not sure if it died already as the last I heard was that only one person spoke it, so it seems pretty likely!

City University London And London Centre For Arts And Cultural Exchange (LCACE): http://music.sas.ac.uk/research-groups/middle-east-and-central-asia-music-forum.html#c1448

‘Festival Of Music In Middle Eastern Cinema’ Saturday 14^th- Friday 20^th May

Umm Khultum (photographer unknown)

A collaboration between the Institute of Musical Research, University of London, Iran Heritage Foundation, Centre for Iranian Studies, SOAS and The Royal Anthropological Institute, this ‘mini-festival’ promises to be packed so full of stuff it’d give Glasto a run for it’s money (though more in guise of the annual Fes festival).  Celebrating Middle Eastern music past and present, traditional and emergent, a two-day conference and films featuring the sounds as well as experiences of Middle Eastern music are showing throughout the period at the Tricycle Theatre (http://www.tricycle.co.uk/) and the Khalili Lecture Theatre in the School of Oriental and African Studies (http://middleasternmusicandcinema.wordpress.com).

  
         

         

Geffrye Museum: http://www.geffrye-museum.org.uk/

Saturday 14^th May and Sunday May 15th

Copyright:Susan Andrews

On the 14^th (paid) there’s an ‘At Home in Japan’ study day exploring modes of living in the Japanese home, its’ influence over Western perceptions (and décor) and the everyday reality. A host of curators and Dr Inge Daniels (whose work informed the exhibition) provide the perspectives. On the following day, check out the free Anthropology of Space ‘taster day’.

Insight, University College of London: www.insighteducation.org.uk

(May-July)

Image from Insight website

Insight are running courses covering aspects of camera use and film-making, development, production, proposal-writing and funding, business, marketing and a 15-day documentary course. So, basically everything you need to know if you want to use camera’s to tell stories for reasonable fees and run by experienced industry professionals.

Radical Anthropology Group: radicalanthropologygroup.org

(Camden,Tues 6.15–9.00 pm May to July)

‘The Moon in Myth, Ritual and History’

Into their summer term already, the Radical Anthropologists are going beyond Pyramidiocy (in the best possible sense) by exploring ‘Lunarchism’ and lunatic influence across time and space on cultural activity by way of UK megalithic construction, Greco-Roman myth, and a contemporary moon-clock amongst the weekly treats. Plus, there’s an outing to Avebury to align with the lunar energies in the company of the ancient stones of Avebury around the summer solstice. All in all, the programme sounds like a healthy reconnection with the linkage between what has been and what is that it is possible to embrace and celebrate through the magnificently diverse and wonderfully idiosyncratic anthropological lens. It also sounds fun-count me in.

Moving out of London:

Mass Observation One Day Diary for Thursday 12th May 2011:

http://www.massobs.org.uk/index.htm

I mentioned last month that there was more going on with the Mass Observation bods and this is it-requiring none of the usual registration, we can submit a diary of our thoughts, activities and reflections on keeping the diary noting whether it’s a typical day and if not, say why. Be part of a fine modern tradition of making the everyday voice heard and kept for posterity; it could be said that things like MO paved the way for the proliferation of social networking phenomena driving contemporary communications within and understandings of social space. As it’s short on time, I thought I’d include the gist of the guidelines which are the diary must be in electronic form (emails or email attachments) and, to background the diary, include a brief self portrait (age, where you live, whether you are married or single, your present job or occupation if working and any other information that you think is important to record). Finally, a statement is needed for the diary to be added into the Archive which is below then submit it to  .Happy history-making!

“I donate my 12th May diary to the Mass Observation Archive. I consent to it being made publically available as part of the Archive and assign my copyright in the diary to the Mass Observation Archive Trustees so that it can be reproduced in full or in part on websites, in publications and in broadcasts as approved by the Trustees”.

Testspace, Leeds: beckye.elliott2@googlemail.com

(Deadline 19^th May)

Help the project to challenge the notion that video could become inaccessible and self-indulgent by providing some fantastic visual anthro ethnographic material and show exactly anthropology in film can disprove these criticisms and what it can achieve! Mail a link to a video online or attach a video to the above address for submission.

National Media Museum, Bradford: http://www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk/PlanAVisit/~/media/Files/NMeM/PDF/PlanAVisit/ExhibitionsEvents.ashx

‘Churches’ (until 15^th September)

Copyright: David Spero

David Spero’s photographic view takes in the churches that have colonized the unconsecrated land of buildings never intended for this purpose which, through their change of use, materialize the question of transformation, blurring and subversion of the boundaries and delimitations regarding social and sacred space. Stripped of overt external signs associated with faith spaces related to expressions of power and symbolism, do these buildings still look like their counterparts in industrial estates, houses, pubs, cinema’s and shopping parades or does the addition of the church boards and purpose start to effect some change-at least in perceptions? I’m going to take a good look next time I’m up North as I think it may be a hard one to call...

University of Oxford, Lady Margaret Hall 25th May:

Tel: 01865 271529 or e-mail: igs@qeh.ox.ac.uk

‘Out of the Harem: Arab Revolutions and the end of Patriarchy’

Delivered by Dr May Yamani, this sounds a must for those like myself interested in Arab- and Muslim-influenced cultures. The timely feast of political, cultural and social issues promised in the provocatively-titled lecture comes hot on the heels of recent and ongoing change in the ‘Arab Spring’. I'm looking forward to delivery of some challenging and salient information to current debates, particularly how a relationship between revolution and patriarchy’s end is outlined. While I wait to go and find out, I can wonder what 'Hijabi Barbie' (pictured) take on it will be-after all, is she in or out of 'the Harem'? ;)

UNION, Leeds:  http://eaststreetarts.org.uk/whats-on/dialogue-among-civilisations/?utm_source=East+Street+Arts+e-news+subscribers&utm_campaign=736ad1a933-May_News_Letter5_9_2011&utm_medium=email

‘Dialogue Among Civilisations’ (Opening Thursday 12^th May 6 - 8pm, until 27^th May)

‘Blombos: We Are All South African’
Bruce Rimell, 2009

Returning (whoops, sorry, too many good things happening in Yorkshire-world!) check out the 15 works created in an international collaboration between artists and poets from 35 countries. These form the basis for a new initiative by Art for Humanities in Durban whose aim is to create worldwide dialogue regarding issues of inequalities and prejudice. Through creative dialogues, the organisation intend to renew commitments to tolerance, harmonious co-existence and human rights. It’d be interesting to see how this laudable ambition works (and looks) in the pieces displayed and what kind of a start it has got off to but as I can’t make this one, it’s be good if anyone out there can give the anthropological once-over and report back.

Lucy Special: RAI's Anthro of Sport Photo Contest-take a look at the results!

As you know, toward the end of last year the RAI’s Education Outreach Programme ran a competition to get great anthropology of sport pictures from anyone handy with a camera. The categories included the body, identity, and globalization, and the competition generated 230 wide-ranging, fascinating and dramatic entries from a truly global 24 countries. The great response meant that lots of young people not only engaged with the Programme but in doing so have had the opportunity to share their work, get actively involved with anthropology and be a part of activities to do with the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. The body of work produced enables both participants and those looking at the images to be involved in reflecting upon on the anthropology of sport, sharing and communicating ideas between anthropology and sports, media, and the arts. Not bad for a photo competition! Take a look at http://www.flickr.com/photos/raieducation and join the conversation.

Plus, if you get inspired to do something similar, check out the ‘My Street’ competition at the RAI Film Festival site. Instead of still shots, this is a call for film submissions. It’s a great opportunity to ‘have a go’ at some visual anthropology and make your world ours by capturing the activities, conversations, observations, impressions that make up your street or neighbourhood. The premise couldn’t be simpler-or more anthropological as it relates to all sorts of areas of anthropological interest, particularly the Anthropology of Space and Home, Material Cultures, Urban Anthropology, Visual Anthropology to name a few-in fact, the sky’s the limit and the pavement the place! The competition closes at the end of the month and, in addition to films being streamed online, the winning entry will be screened-putting your home well and truly on the map. I’m looking forward to seeing the stories behind the streets and way more than Google Maps could ever reveal!

Lucy Special: RAI 12th International Film Festival Anthropologists on film

Uncredited

There’s a whole strand in this year’s festival concerning anthropologists on film-from those rather famous ones like Levi-Strauss (‘Claude Lévi-Strauss, Return to the Amazon’ Marcelo Fortaleza Flores 2009) and their activities and experiences in the field to those behind the camera considering the nature and reality of the fieldwork endeavor itself. Essential stuff for both budding and fledged anthropologist alike as it’s good to reflect on where the discipline has been to know where it can, and is, going. The radical shifts during disciplinary development can be seen through the leaps forward and mis-steps of pioneers, players and the simply passionate alike.

Films to look out for include the story of the first ethnographic film made (‘The Masks of Mer’ Michael Eaton 2010) plus those concerned with direct interventions and engagements of anthropologists within environments, whether restoring and recreating historic homes in new space (‘Further Lane’ John M. Bishop 2011) or embedded with the US army (‘Human Terrain’ James Der Derian 2010). The ‘experimenter effect’ of the ethnographic venture is explored intimately in films addressing the deep interrelationship and effect of researchers and the communities they work with, both positive and negative. Deep bonds inspiring new forms of ceremony and celebration are found regarding Frembgen in Pakistan (‘The Red Sufi’ Martin Weinhart 2010), Francois and Stern in Motalava, (‘The Poet’s Salary’ Eric Wittersheim 2008), and Rouch in West Africa (‘I Am a White African - Farewell to Jean Rouch’ Bernd Mosblech 2008). In contrast, the perspective from within the Yanomamo tribe of Chagnon’s work illustrates when things go wrong. By exploring the work, perspectives and debate generated by this controversial project, the very nature of the anthropological project itself is considered (‘Secrets of the Tribe’ José Padilha 2010).

Follow the festival preparations and commentary by those involved, including film-makers, in the Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/pages/RAI-International-Festival-of-Ethnographic-Film/139827756089095

Anthropology Taster Days

Hey Everyone, I mentioned the first one of these tasters being run over the weekend. They are being held over consecutive Sundays 15th, 22nd and 29th May and cost £35. All enquiries, including for bookings, should be directed to Yasmin Hales-Henao on Email: yhales @aol.com : Mobile : 07974-389188.

On the 15th May, the multilayered meaning of home is explored using a range of comparative ethnographic examples and looks at the social use of domestic space, decorative style and meaning of the home in Britain from the 19th century to the present day. This is then related to the way spatial practises, rituals, boundaries and cultural identity differ in the traditional and modern Japanese home, taking in a visit to the Geffrye Museum’s current exhibition  "At Home in Japan”, previously described on the blog.

The second, on 22nd May, concerns decoration in societies. Looking at decorative expression on walls, floors, landscape and the body in South and South East Asian indigenous art practises, their cultural meanings and the relationship of these aesthetics to wider society. Also, how indigenous group practices adapt and make the transition from tradition to modernity. This will be considered through theoretical discussion, ethnographic film, photography, and a visit to an art exhibition.

Finally, the third taster, on the 29th May, will consider the role of dirt, gaining insight into the cross cultural attitudes to ideas of purity and pollution and the Anthropology of Dirt itself. This view takes in obsessions with hygiene, food, the body or the practise of everyday life, and consider through discussion why the boundaries between cleanliness, dirt and disgust differ across societies. This session will visit the “Dirt: The Filthy Reality of Everyday Life” exhibition previously described at the Wellcome Trust Collection.

Each of these tasters is followed by an 8-week course run by Yasmin from June, more details of which can be gained from her on the above contact information.

All taster days run from 10-4pm, location be confirmed with Yasmin.