Home » Posts tagged 'Ethnography'

  • Song of the River

    Song of the River

    Children of the rainforest /
    intrinsically woven into the fabric of life /
    with one spirit, one voice, one people /
    that the song of the river is your own–

    Barbara L. Sykes.

    “Based upon my poem of Borneo’s indigenous cultures, ‘Song of the River’ is as much a visual poem and mystic story as it is an experimental ethnographic documentary. Shot while traveling up Sarawak’s Rajang River to various longhouses of different indigenous tribes, this tape is an intimate and personal portrayal of the harmonious relationship Borneo’s indigenous people have with one another, and with the river, animals, birds and rainforest. It is a devotional piece honoring the spirituality, wisdom, integrity and essential qualities of respect and appreciation for life that these people have.

    ‘Song of the River’ is the second tape produced for ‘In Celebration of Life…. In Celebration of Death…’ a series of tapes shot during my fourteen month sabbatical and Chicago Artists Abroad Artists Residency in intensive research and videotape production in primarily Asia, and later, the Mid-East and Africa. The series reveals the religious, cultural and philosophical beliefs of various indigenous cultures by exploring their rituals, dance, music and daily activities.

    From birth to death, special rites and ceremonies mark the important events of one’s existence, assuring a symbiosis of body and soul with the divine. This deep relationship between the people and their gods are reaffirmed through daily activity. At times, the person symbolically becomes god, strengthening their own sense of sacredness and self-respect.–Barbara Sykes

  • Shiva Darshan

    Shiva Darshan

    “Based upon the poem I wrote of my travels through India and Nepal, ‘Shiva Darsan’ is as much a video poem and mystic story, as it is an experimental, ethnographic documentary on Hinduism, holy men, spirituality and transcendence. Shiva is the Hindu lord of procreation and death. Darsan is sacred perception. Darsan is as much to see, as it is to be seen by that of the worshipper and the deity, holy person or sacred place. It is as much the spiritual that yields to be grasped, known, touched and experienced, as it is the worshipper who is there to receive the divine. This piece is also a personal reflection on the Shivaratri Festival at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, the birthday celebration of Shiva at one of his most important pilgrimage sites in Asia and at the most sacred of Nepalese shrines.

    ‘Shiva Darsan’ the first tape produced for ‘In Celebration of Life…. In Celebration of Death…’, my series of experimental, ethnographic documentaries shot during my fourteen month sabbatical and Chicago Artists Abroad Artists Residency in Asia, the Mid-East and Africa. This series reveals the religious, cultural and philosophical beliefs of indigenous people from various cultures by exploring their rituals, dance, music and daily activities that revolve around life and death. From birth to death, special rites and celebrations mark the important events of one’s existence, assuring a symbiosis of body and soul with the divine. This deep relationship between the people and their gods are reaffirmed through daily activity. At times, the person symbolically becomes god; strengthening their own sense of sacredness and self-respect.”–Barbara Sykes

  • [None of the Above raw #62]

    [None of the Above raw #62]

    This tape features raw footage for the documentary “None of the Above,” an in depth ethnographic look at non voters in this country. This video features footage and interviews with Michael and Holly Bowser of Morro Bay, California. Election day #3.

  • [None of the Above raw #63]

    [None of the Above raw #63]

    This video features raw footage from the documentary “None of the Above,” an in depth ethnographic look at non voting citizens in the U.S. This tape features footage of non voter Gene Tenzca at his home in Orange, Massachusetts on election day 1996. We watch as Tenzca flips through channels while commenting on coverage of the presidential election.

  • [None of the Above raw #68]

    [None of the Above raw #68]

    This video contains raw footage for the documentary “None of the Above,” an in depth ethnographic look at the non voting citizens of the U.S. On this tape, the three documentarians continue to speak with Frank RePass, a non voting New Orleans resident. Frank #2.

  • [None of the Above raw #69]

    [None of the Above raw #69]

    This tape features raw footage for the documentary “None of the Above,” an in depth ethnographic look at non voting citizens in the U.S. We watch as the RePass family attends church on a Sunday morning. Frank #3.

  • [None of the Above raw #70]

    [None of the Above raw #70]

    This tape features raw footage for the documentary “None of the Above,” an in depth ethnographic look at non voting citizens in the U.S. We watch as the RePass family prepares food at their home after Sunday services. Cindy RePass talks about her religious and political beliefs. We also watch as Frank RePass takes a few of the videomakers on a tour of Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans.

  • [None of the Above raw #71]

    [None of the Above raw #71]

    This tape features raw footage for the political documentary “None of the Above,” an in depth ethnographic look at non voting citizens in the U.S. This tape contains b-roll footage of the RePass family attending one of their children’s soccer games and Frank playing street chess in downtown New Orleans. Frank #5.

 
 
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