Anthropologist About Town

LUCY SPECIAL: GETTING INTO THE SPIRIT OF THE GAMES

2011-09-17T12:51:00.016+01:00

Calling all sport fans! Do you have objects from your past that hold special memories? Then share your stories with the world!

In anticipation of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, the RAI's Education Department has launched an oral histories project called Blast from the Past: connecting people through material objects related to sports, games and play.

The Blast from the Past project aims to:

• promote public engagement with the RAI’s Education Outreach Programme

• provide a platform for people to share stories in relation to sport, games and play and become actively involved in anthropology

• initiate activities and events in relation to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics

• explore the connections between identity, sport and material culture through the use of digital media

WHAT ARE ORAL HISTORIES?

Oral histories are living memories, experiences and life events that are gathered through interviews and conversations which are often subsequently shared with relatives, community members or outsiders. Anthropologists use oral histories to try and understand how individuals make sense of their world. They also use oral histories to find out about cultural traditions that have been past down orally through generations. Because we are unable to provide interviewers for this project we have compiled a list of questions which may assist you in framing your narratives:

- What is the story of the object and your relationship to the object

- Why is this object meaningful to you or your family

- How does the object connect to sport, play, or games

WHAT IS THE ANTHROPOLOGY OF SPORT?

Anthropology of Sport is the cross-cultural and biological understanding of sport in …history and the contemporary world (Blanchard 1995). It analyses the socioeconomic, political and cultural dimensions of sport and how sport influences the lives of individuals and communities around the world.

Anthropologists have always been interested in sport and games, their research encompassing everything from cock-fighting to cricket. Evarard ImThurn, an anthropologist of the 19th century studying games in South America, noted that some of the simplest and earliest forms of games were those where children imitated their elders.Im Thurn defined a game as a pleasurable exercise involving any part of the mind or body that led to the development of embodied knowledge (1901).

Play is often defined in very similar terms as Im Thurn’s definition of games- as taking part in a recreational activity for enjoyment or for a practical purpose. Play is voluntary and is part of a creative process. According to Huizinga (1955) play goes beyond being a purely biological activity. “It is a significant function-that is to say there is some sense to it. In play there is something ‘at play’ which transcends the immediate sense of life and imparts meaning to the action.” For Huizinga play always has a meaning.

Analysing games and play in a contemporary North American context, the Association for the Study of Play (TASP), describes the importance of play in relation to identity and childhood development: “Play is an essential tool for social, cognitive, and physical competence as well as identity development, but research has shown that societal trends have marginalized play…under heightened scrutiny and pressure to respond to the current climate of accountability, economic uncertainty, technologically enhanced learning, changing demographics of students and multiple other factors”. This project hopefully will help us re-visit our attitude to play and stimulate new forms of creative activity.

Blast from the Past considers games, sports and play to be integrated and mutually cohesive elements. We are interested in any material object associated with individual play, group games or institutionalised sport. In terms of games however, we are excluding non-physical games such as online games, board games any video games.

MATERIAL OBJECTS CAN INCLUDE:

Signed baseballs, medals, autographs, old posters, old sport equipment, vintage photos, game pieces, sport kits, jerseys, uniforms, old sport venues, pom poms, flags, souvenirs, old prosthetics, mascots, lyrics, slogans, banners, books, magazines, cards. This list is not exhaustive and we encourage you to come up with new ideas. * Please only include material objects related to sports, games and play that are of a physical nature*

THE SUBMISSIONS:

We are asking people to dig through their attics, family trunks and wardrobes to find objects (sport kits, souvenirs, photos, medals or magazines) that capture special memories related to sport, games and play. Send us a video of you speaking about your object or write a story and send us a photo!

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Anyone interested in anthropology, history and sport.

HOW DO I SUBMIT MY STORY?

You can submit your story either of two ways:

1) Take a photo of the object and write your story down in the application form

2) Tell your story of the object through a short video clip

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSIONS:

• This project is open to anyone (16 years old and above)

• All applicants must fill in the registration form which can be found on the following website: http://www.discoveranthropology.org.uk/

**Participants must complete a separate form for each of their submissions**

• If you are submitting a photo of your object, please try and take a high resolution image and submit either a JPEG, TIFF or BITmap and sized less than 10MB.

• If you are submitting a video, please keep the video of maximum 1 min and 30 seconds in length. The video can be taken by any digital device, including mobile phones and cameras.

• The RAI is not responsible for any late, misrouted, lost or damaged entries.

WHAT WILL WE DO WITH THE SUBMISSIONS?

- The Royal Anthropological Institute will publish the photos on our Discover Anthropology website, Flickr and YouTube channel and other RAI satellite websites.

- Early submissions will be exhibited at the RAI’s Sport Cultures event on November 5th as part ESRC Festival of Social Science.

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS 16th NOVEMBER 2011

For further enquiries and to request printed publicity, please contact the Royal Anthropological Institute’s Education Officer Nafisa Fera at education@therai.org.uk or 020 7387 0455.
CC photo credits from megaphone downwards: Felipe Bachomo, Tom Browne, Brad K, Generic Face, Frederic Fhumbert

Diary for August 2011

2011-08-05T11:57:00.000+01:00

Dear Readers,

I hope you are having a wonderful August and have had the opportunity to experience some of the outdoor events and activities that have been listed on the blog. In anticipation of this upcoming school year we are including a new section of teaching and learning resources to encourage discovery of anthropological topics through film, photos, ethnographies and more! Hope you enjoy the new material!

FRIDAY 5th AUGUST: CALL TO ALL ANTHROPOLOGISTS

As part of the growing interest in getting involved in the Anthropology A-level in Britain, the Royal Anthropological Institute (RAI) Education Department is putting a call out to Anthropologists who are interested in going into schools and 6th Form Colleges and discussing their ethnographic research or their career. We are looking for anthropologists who are able to communicate to high school students in an engaging and thoughtful manner and who are able to bring their research to life. The RAI will compile a list of these anthropologists and put them on our Discover Anthropology website. If you are an anthropologist based in England and are interested in being added to the list, please email Nafisa Fera at education@therai.org.uk with a brief description of your biography (50-100 words max) and research interests, your email and a high definition JPEG of yourself. Deadline for submissions is September 2nd 2011.

SATURDAY 6th AUGUST: POMERGRANATES

Zina Ramzi Abdul-Nour is an artist whose work explores the notion of cultural identity through architecture, nature and the decorative arts. Her work has been exhibited in Dubai, Switzerland, Abu Dhabi, the U.S. and now in London. Running until the 27th of August at the Barbican Library is her exhibition called Pomegranates. The exhibition uses mixed media to explore the similarities and differences between Middle Eastern and Western culture. The exhibition is free.

MONDAY 8th AUGUST: CELEBRATING STUDENT FILMMAKERS

For the first time in 2012 there will be an international film festival dedicated solely to student films from around the world. The London based International Student Film Festival will help young film makers have a platform for showcasing their work and becoming involved in the industry. The festival will take place in London from the 2nd to the 3rd of February. The call for film submissions is now open. For more information on the festival and submitting your films visit this website.

WEDNESDAY 10th AUGUST: GET UP AND DANCE!

Today between 2-2:45pm and 3-3:45pm is your chance to join Horniman Museum staff, attendees and Crishna Budhu to take part in mass participation dances which incorporate movements of Classical Kathak Dance from northern India and Bollywood dance steps. The workshops are free and take place in the Gallery Square.

MONDAY 15th AUGUST: DEADLINE TO SUBMIT YOUR ETHNOGRAPHIC PHOTOS!

The American Anthropological Association has put out a call for their annual photography contest. The contest aims to encourage members of the AAA to share their field experiences and demonstrate the variety of work that anthropologist do through photography. This year members will be able to vote on the winning photos and the selected photos will be displayed during the next annual meeting. The top photos will also be published in their Anthropology News. For more information and contest guidelines take a look here.

THURSDAY 18th AUGUST: A TRIP TO PARIS

I've decided to take the train to Paris and spend the weekend eating great baguettes and cheese while exploring the fantastic Musee de Quai Branly. Running until the 2nd of October is a wonderful new exhibition showing more than 160 objects from the National Heritage of Guatemala. The objects include ceramics, semi previous stones, funerary objects and ornaments, combining to show the development of the Mayan civilisation. Take a look here for a short preview of the exhibition.

FRIDAY 19th AUGUST: MANCHESTER PRIDE

Today marks the beginning of the 21st birthday of Gay Pride in Manchester. Over the next ten days there will be a fantastic array of film, talks, art installations, parades to celebrate lesbian, gay and transgender life. The centerpiece will be the parade which will take place on Saturday the 27th of August from 13:00pm. Thousands of people attended Manchester pride and since 2003, the Festival has raised £895,000 for local LGBT and HIV organisations. Click here for more information about events and activities.

TUESDAY 23rd AUGUST: SLAVERY REMEMBERANCE DAY

On the 23rd of August 1791 enslaved Africans of Saint Dominigue (what is now Haiti) rose up against their oppressors. In observance of this date and to honour UNESCO's designation of the date as Slavery Remembrance Day, National Museums of Liverpool together with individuals from Liverpool's Black community, Liverpool City Council, Culture Company and Mersey Partnership bring together talks, events and activities in commemoration of this event. Over the next two days there will be the chance to hear a memorial lecture from Dr. Maulana Karenga, take part in the Walk of Remembrance and more! Take a look at this website for a detailed itinerary.

SUNDAY 28th AUGUST- NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL

Every year the Notting Hill Carnival in London attracts hundreds of visitors from all over the world to celebrate in one of Europe's biggest outdoor celebration of music,dance, masks and Caribbean culture. The festival begins on Sunday but the main parade will be held on Monday. Enjoy some jerk chicken, fried plantain while listening to everything from Calypso to R&B. The festival is free. For more information visit the Carnival's website.

MONDAY 29th AUGUST-1st SEPTEMBER: 31st NAFA FILM FESTIVAL

The Nordic Anthropological Film Association (NAFA) is hosting its 31st Film Festival alongside the People Over Sea symposium organised by the Department of Social Anthropology at the University of St. Andrews. The Film Festival will run alongside the academic conference exploring social and cultural aspects of the North Sea and the North Atlantic. Several themes of the conference include: the wealth of oceans, lines of seafaring, water crafts and narratives related to life at sea. For more information and registration prices visit this website.

TEACHING AND LEARNING RESOURCES:

GENERATING NEW FORMS OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HAIDA CULTURE

Delegates from the Haida First Nations have formed an International Research Network with staff from the Pitt Rivers Museum and the British Museum. In 2009, 21 Haida First Nations delegates came to the UK to re-encounter some of their ancestral material culture and work with museum collections alongside giving talks, performances, carving and weaving demonstrations. The Haida Project "seeks to understand the importance and role of historic collections for source communities and to improve access to collections". The Project is a unique case study in debates concerning repatriation and museum collections. Take a look at this great film about the Haida Project.

WATCH DOCUMENTARIES FOR FREE ONLINE

The National Film Board of Canada has launched a fantastic website which allows users to view their archive and contemporary films for free online. The website has different channels including the world, hot topics, aboriginal peoples, history and more. There are some great anthropological films such as Through These Eyes which takes a critical look at a curriculum project in the 1970s that produced The Nestlik Film Series. Take a look at some fantastic films on the NFB's channel.

PHOTOS FROM LONDON ANTHROPOLOGY DAY 2011

The London Anthropology Day 2011 which was held at the British Museum on July 14th was a great success with over 350 attendees and 20 participating universities from England, Ireland and Wales. The event was organised by the Royal Anthropological Institute's Education Department in collaboration with the British Museum and participating universities. Photos of the event are now online. Take a look at some great portaits of student participants and more!

FINDING OUT ABOUT AMERICANS THROUGH LYCRA

Anthropologist Kaori O'Connor has published a new book called 'Lycra: How A Fiber Shaped America'. Based on extensive longitudinal fieldwork and in-depth research of archival materials, Kaori demonstrates the way in which this man-made super fiber influenced women of the Baby boomer generation ideas concerning body image and wellness. Click here to download a podcast of Kaori speaking about her book.

INVESTIGATING FACEBOOK

How does Facebook affect the lives of its users? Anthropologist Daniel Miller's new book 'Tales from Facebook' explores the ways in which Facebook is affecting the lives of a group people in Trinidad. The book looks at how this social networking site has substantially influenced the social interactions in their day to day life. For example, the book shows how Facebook has been instrumental in cultivating romantic relationships as well as breaking up a marriage. To find out more, take a look at this YouTube video where Miller talks about the book.

Photo Credits: Manchester Pride-Man Alive, Notting Hill Carnival-L-Plate,

Lucy's Diary July 2011

2011-07-07T23:57:00.021+01:00

Happy (sunny) days one and all! I've got post mid-summer fever and that annual itch to get out and about in the sun while he's got his hat on, so I channelled mostly all things bright and beautiful to do out on beaches, streets and with hands and feet plus a bit of politics and the odd indoor activity to keep the variety of life. Plenty to do to be involved, get active and make the most of what it is to be human and alive in this sunny realm. Wishing you all a top summer, whatever and wherever you may be!

South Yorkshire:

Yorkshire Sculpture Park:
Jaume Plensa: until 22ndJanuary 2012
http://www.ysp.co.uk/

Sculptural depiction of human bodies resonant with symbolic power and meaning has long occupied a discrete space within studies of the anthropology of art and material cultures. Specific address to non-European forms was made by William H. Davenport (2005) in the Santa Cruz Islands and Susan Preston-Bliers (1995) in addressing sculpting of figures as well as masks in Vodun cultures across Central and East Africa. Others have chosen to migrate anthropological interest into a practice of making bodily forms in order to explore human experience. Of these, Malvina Hoffman made an ‘Anthropological Series’ depicting everyday life activities from diverse cultures for exhibition at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago in 1930. A current, more philosophical approach, striving to convey what is essential to the existence, experience and relation to the world of humanity, is communicated in the work of former anthropologist Anthony Gormley.

An example of this last approach can be found in an encounter with bodies (and heads) large, small, scattered and clustered currently found meditating upon existence in the Sculpture Park. Jaume Plensa’s work encourages physical and sensory interaction with bodies whose contemplative, pensive nature reflexively provokes the same within the viewer; addressing our situation in the world just as we look at theirs. All of the figures are beguiling and beautiful, interpersonally connective and irresistible; inviting you to spend time with them and affective as with the best of Gormley’s work such as ‘Field for the British Isles’. Some of the bodies are literally inscribed with alphabets, on one set an eclectic mix from global languages; reflective of ongoing ideas of embodiment including those of Marcel Mauss (1934) and Thomas J. Csordas (1990) as well as Judith Butler (1990) adding bodily inscriptions of which the physical markings on these sculptures are evocative.

North East:

Gateshead Central Library: until 20th August
‘Car Boot Sales and Charity Shops’
http://www.northeastphoto.net/

Photographic exhibition featuring photographic work describing the faces and spaces of the ‘alternative economies’ of selling on unwanted goods and possessions. Amongst the practitioners on show are Sharon Wilson who looks at performance and theatre within a particular car boot fair, Susan Swindells’ socio-cultural take on north-eastern charity shops and Karen Johnson’s look at the description of lives laid out on car-boot tables.

In addition to the wider view taken on photographic practice by Susan Sontag (1979) and later, Goeff Dyer (2005) attention paid to the uses, abuses and practices associated with using photography as an ethnographic communicating social and cultural information is deftly provided by Christopher Pinney (2010) and Sarah Pink (2001) amongst others.

To supplement a visit to the exhibition or to the real, live glory of a car-bootery, a few anthropological observations on alternative social and economic spaces can be brought to bear. While Nigel Rapport’s (1992) brush with car boots and other village affairs informed him about affect and interaction within a small community, N.Gregson and L Crewe (1997, 2005) looked at the purchase of goods in terms of performance and as spectacle; the art of engaging in car-boot transactions as a particular form of knowledge. Martin and Sunley (2001) describe the buying space as in terms of a marginality dismissed by the mainstream market as the balance is weighted less toward pure profit motives and more toward sociality within the selling act. Either way, if you make it to a real car-boot this summer, make sure you bring at least one dodgy jumper/LP/lamp/old boardgame back as well as the ethnographic observations.

Birmingham:
Green Lane Masjid: 22-24th July
‘Flourish. Thrive. Succeed: Overcoming the challenges and seizing the opportunities for Muslims living in the West’
www.greenlanemasjid.org/conference

A conference seeking to explore aspects of Islamic experience and practice within the Western context. This free conference aims to provide a forum to consider and engage with current debates regarding the challenges and opportunities within shared societal space with a view toward making positive and productive contributions within wider society.

Nationwide Events:

Amnesty International Events:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/events

Anthropology is responding to the proliferation of conflict and injustice at local and global levels through the study of violence. David Riches’ ‘Anthropology of Violence’ (1986) looked at the practical and symbolic ends and role of agency within conflictual spaces. A self-professed alternative concerning anthropology of power is supplied by Nigel Rapport (2003) exploring bodies in relation to environment, total institutions and the death of power.

The individual as an agentive force in opposition to political, social and cultural oppression informs Amnesty’s work. Actions and engagement by supporters is a key aspect of involvement in the campaign, especially this year as it’s the 50th anniversary of organisation and there are plenty of events to celebrate and have a knees-up to ensure that conscience isn’t all hard work. Summer events range from tea- to beer-drinking, dancing and film screenings. Political pleasure-seekers can seek out those local to them on the site above plus get more details on the following selection:

Human Rights Action Centre, London: all films £5

11th July: ‘El Problema: Testimony of the Saharawi People’ (dir. Jordi Ferrer, Pablo Vidal)
A documentary developed from on-the-ground collection of testimonies and documents telling the story of Saharawi’s forced displacement from their lands in the Western Sahara by Moroccan government land appropriation.

13th July: ‘500 Years Later’ (dir. Owen ‘Alik Shahadah)
A film tracing the effects and struggles associated with the ongoing pan-African and Diasporic fight for self-determination necessitated by colonial and slave histories and resultant displacements. A multi-sited documentary spanning five continents, this overview of a wide issue brings sharply into focus the phenomena of African holocaust.

ABP Autgoraph Film Season:
Films throughout July addressing issues of racism, sexuality and religion from around the world. The first of three session kicks off with:

20th July: ‘Possessed by Demons’ and ‘Difficult Love’ (dir. Zanele Muholi) Films concerning the problems facing lesbians in South Africa and discussion around the current situation for the LGBT community led by the film-maker in live-link from Cape Town.

National:

16th July:St John's Church Rooms, Mostyn Street, Llandudno ‘Palestine and the Arab Spring’
Half-day event with 3 speakers and panel discussion, exhibition and lunch.

16th July:Sefton Park, Liverpool ‘Amnestea in the Park’
What it says on the tin-a tea party in the park.

23rd July: The Riviera International Centre,Torquay ‘Freedom is Coming: Summer Concert’
An evening of music and performance with the Big Noise Chorus and Stagecoach Arts Theatre plus a talk by former Chair of Amnesty, Tom Hedley.

1st August:St.Mary’s University College, Belfast ‘When They Are All Free’
A journalistic panel debating the manner and risks taken in journalistic endeavours in telling stories from spaces of conflict otherwise unknown. Interesting to attend for the parallels and divergence with ethnographic motivations and ethics in similar spaces.

Carnival!

Summer is the time of the riotous release of social tensions and challenge to order and civility in what Bakhtin (1968) termed ‘carnivalesque’ activity. Today, one such form is in the carnivals found all across the UK. In addition to the huge number that can be found to attend, including Bristol, Liverpool, Huddersfield, Derby, Brighton, Acton, Balham and Tooting in July. Also, the fantastic extravaganza that is Notting Hill, Leeds and Birmingham next month, there are ways to get involved beforehand. Workshops to make costumes and learn dance include the following for adults as well as young people:

The Scrapstore, Hull Play Resource Centre is hosting a rolling programme of low-cost costume making. Email: info@hullscrapstore.co.uk

Spark, Stockton are doing costume and props in workshops on the 9th, 16th and 23rd July. Email: Lyndsey.stephenson@stockton.gov.uk

Derby has calypso drumming every Saturday and carnival dancing every Wednesday. For information see: www.itzcaribbean.com/caribbeancarnivaluk or www.kaleidoscope-music.org.uk

Insight into wider African masking and masquerade practice can be found in the photographic work of Phyllis Galembo (2010) whose Pende examples find an ethnographic counterpart in Z. S. Strother (1999) who backgrounds the meaning, production and evolution through reinvention of masking in response to social and cultural change.

On the Beach:

A feature of more traditional beach life in the UK, though in decline, can still be found in Punch and Judy shows. Practitioners and Professors of the show ply their trade providing the sort of play of social and cultural life described in Clifford Geertz (1973) descriptions of Balinese shadow-puppetry and the role of the performative in theatre described by Victor Turner (1992). Performances can be seen throughout the summer on Southend, Weymouth, Clacton, Exmouth and Paignton beaches. Also, inland at Basingstoke park on 31st July and in Lincoln city centre on 30th July.
Details on individual events visit http://www.punchandjudy.com/seaside.htm

And, just for fun, if you fancy making your own Punch and Judy spoon-puppet for £1, go to Herne Bay Museum and Gallery. Go to museums@canterbury.gov.uk

London:

Southbank Centre Hip Hop Festival:14 – 17 July
Intelligent Movement – A Celebration of Hip Hop Culture
http://ticketing.southbankcentre.co.uk/series/intelligent-movement

Hip Hop takes the space of the Southbank with three days of Dj battles, performance, workshops and parties dedicated to the genre. Free and paid dance workshops from breaking to funk, locking and popping, music nights and parties-but get in quick to book the free ones, all on Sunday 17th. Talks around influences on and by rap/hip hop cultural will form one element of a larger conversation encompassing traditions and innovations in use of beat, rhyme and rhythm in music, spoken word, and dance.

To check into anthropological research on hip hop culture and its global migrations, translations, and transformations H.Samy Alim, Awad Ibrahim, Alastair Pennycook (2009) and James Peterson (2001) look at it from an Islamic perspective. Whereas Greg Dimitriadis (2009) considers the role of ‘tha cipha’ as a speech event in hip hop as one of the established forms of language within genre, its transglobal usage, and how that relates to performing identity and culture true to hip hop; wherever it may travel.

Wellcome Collection: 15-16th July
‘Unclean Beings’
www.wellcomecollection.org/unclean

Connected to the ‘Dirt’ exhibition at the Institute written about here previously, these two days explore the subject further. ‘Dirty Stories’ on the 15th tells stories of the myths and metaphors encompassing life, death and dirt by the Crick Crack Club with drinks, conversation and a viewing of the show.

The 16th provides talks and discussions on the resonance of dirt in historic and modern contexts sex work in Victorian Britain to Indonesia, the caste system in India and religious ideas of cleanliness. Including appearances by TED’s Elizabeth Pisani and Belle de Jour.

International Day Against Stoning:
London Action: 10th July
http://iransolidarity.blogspot.com/2010/07/take-action-against-stoning-of-sakine.html

‘Stone-in’ acts will performed from 2pm at Trafalgar Square on the 10th July and then along the route of procession as part of an international protest. Stimulated by the death by stoning of Maryam Ayoubi in Iran and currently campaigning against the imprisonment of Sakineh Mohammed Ashtiani and lawyer Sajjad Houtan Kian who defended Sakineh and another woman against stoning sentences, demo’s seek to highlight issues both within Iran and the wider geo-political stage in debates regarding adoption or allowance of Sharia Law. An active participant in organizing this event is Maryam Namazie whose ‘One Law for All’ campaign addresses issues including apostasy, secular law and how debate regarding Sharia law has been used by far-right groups currently gaining greater power and political inclusion across Europe. A diary of her appearances can be found at:
http://www.ex-muslim.org.uk/eng/events/text1.htm

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

2011-06-19T21:45:00.002+01:00

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

2011-06-10T17:09:00.012+01:00

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

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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 . 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

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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

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)

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!

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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

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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

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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.

Indian pre-Summer :12th RAI International Film Festival India Strand and ‘A Disappearing World’ at The Brunei Gallery, SOAS

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I’ve been having another look at the first day of the film fest (23rd June at UCL) and having a nose around the

India

strand. Two address elements of faith, religious practice and engagement with ‘The Poojari’s Daughter’ (Gillian Goslinga 2010) looking at the initiation of a Hindu priestess and the motions of every day temple life surrounding significant events in the lives of the ordained. Faith healing through possession is looked at in ‘Drugs and Prayers’ (Helene Basu 2010) through the lens of (and as a form of) community care centring on the activity of a Sufi temple. Both present 360 views through the actors drawn together and co-involved in both the places and practices. A different view of grassroots militancy by members of an untouchable caste is presented in ‘Pink Sari’s’ (Kim Longinotto 2010). These indomitable women in the signature sari’s of the title fight for social justice and against oppression in the wider social world by resisting low-class ascription. They also address the microcosm of ‘the in-laws’ family world and resist the oppression of abuses inflicted by family members when moving into the invariably restrictive realm of their husbands’ domestic world.

The India strand continues throughout the festival with a great-looking film on one man’s journey of discovery, spirit and humanity through Tantra in ‘The Lover and the Beloved: A Journey into Tantra’ (Andy Lawrence/Rajive McMullen 2011). Also, there are explorations into contemporary material culture meaning and practice in textile and music production. Regarding the textiles there is ‘The Stitches Speak (Tanko Bole Chhe)’ (Nina Sabnani 2010) and ‘A Looming Past’ (Sashi Sivramkrishna 2010) and the making and use of traditional musical instruments in ‘Two Day Fair (Do Din Ka Mela)’ (Anjali Monteiro, K.P. Jayasankar 2009). Take a look at the Indian part of the map on the ‘Programme’ page on the website at www.raifilmfest.org.uk. Early bird pass can also still be nabbed until 15th May at http://raifilmfest.org.uk/film/festival/2011/home/registrations.

This strand ties-in nicely with another focus on India at The Brunei Gallery at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London. ‘A Disappearing World’ (until 25^th June) features photos by Robert Wallis and artwork by the Tribal Women’s Artist Collective illustrating the confrontation and negotiation of ancestral Adivasi ways of being and living on and off the land, as old meets new. The exhibition looks at how Adivasi worship and protection of nature translates and influences land use, artistic traditions, and cultural customs and the effect of current development, modernisation and natural resource exploitation in the Adivasi heartland of Jharkaland. For details check out http://www.soas.ac.uk/gallery/.

April 2011 Diary additionals-too good not to include!

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Royal Wedding-a-rama:

The RW on 29th April has stimulated a splurge of RW-related activity around the country. Sadly, I didn't find out in time about the school in Liverpool that put on a 'Big Fat Gypsy Wedding'-themed event which dressed up kids in the mad meringues featured in the show to celebrate the forthcoming RW. Sad, as it would have been a bit of culturally-questionable kitsch. However, passions for the social life, history and place of wedding couture and culture in the UK can nonetheless be indulged in various ways and places.

Snibston Discovery Museum, Leicestershire: www.snibston.com

"Getting Hitched" (until Sunday 15th May)

The exhibition of 21 outfits, the earliest from 1780 and the most recent from 2006, looks at the influence Royal weddings have had on matrimonial fashions. Interesting from a general material cultural point of view but also significant in that it includes in it's wedding costume view recent social/cultural shifts as civil partnerships are covered too.

Walsall Museum: www.whatsonwalsall.co.uk (until 5th June)

Walsall provides a smaller-scale costume display showing historic wedding dresses from the 1900s through to the 1970s and a window on the changing ideas about wedding wear, custom and activity as styles and expectations change throughout the 20th century.

Rag Factory, Shoreditch : www.rsvphrh.com (no date supplied)In Heneage Street, just off Brick Lane an exhibition created by from an open submission to international artists displays alternative RW invites made from a wide variety of materials and methods from huge illustrated posters to t-shirts. Distinctly non-"traditional" and with a feel of edginess, this response to the pomp and pageantry of a good old-fashionned, flag-waving national event, definately registers as both an antidote and refuge when crowded out from central London by the mayhem.

And finally...

Mass Observation Archive Royal Wedding Directive: http://www.massobs.org.uk/index.htm

If you want to commit your own thoughts on the RW to paper, the Archive is on the lookout for submissions by writers describing their 29th April. What they are looking are perceptions and activities on that day to provide an broad view, so adding a dimension of everyday sentiment or critique to the record regarding national events. It was also done in 1981 for Charles and Diana's wedding so perceptions gathered regarding monarchy and the event's significance (or otherwise) will be very interesting in comparison. As the Archive is accessible, this will be possible to see once collated so an interesting source of research data for any interested in European cultures. Sign up to become an observer by visiting the site and clicking the ‘Writing For Us’ link.

OK, that's quite enough about the RW, onto other stuff and moving from the fragrant and orderly world of wedding-bells to disorderly dirt:

Wellcome Trust, London:

http://www.wellcomecollection.org/whats-on/exhibitions/dirt

"Dirt" (until 31 August)

This interactive and highly media/visual-savvy exhibition was stimulated by anthropologist Mary Douglas' observation of dirt as "matter out of place". Tied-in with the BBC series 'Filthy Cities' (advertised with great retro 'Scratch and Sniff' cards), the exhibition ranges across six different spaces and periods in time providing a view on dirt as captured with, on and through visual arts, objects and media. The exploration takes in different attitudes and practices associated with the disorderly nature of dirt and it's interaction with community in 17th century Holland, Victorian London, mid-19th century Glasgow, early twentieth century Dresden, present-day New Delhi and, projecting grime futures , a New York landfill site in 2030.

The film Q2P by Paromita Vohras (distributed and archived at the RAI www.therai.org.uk/fs/film-sales/) is being screened at the exhibition, addressing issues of urban anthropology as it traces the gendering of public space through the difficulties women have accessing public toilets in New Delhi. As the search for a 'Ladies' unfolds, the restriction of activity and presence for women in public space and resulting social effects is described . I tried and failed to find this film last year so it's well worth catching it at the exhibtion.

Lucy's Diary April 2011

2011-04-10T21:26:00.005+01:00

Hey everyone, I’ve got a busy month coming up, trying to get to as many of the delightful and interesting events occurring all over the country. Naturally, I’m not able to make all of them but I’ll have to figure out a strategy! First up, I’ll look at regional events then move onto London as it’s far too often the other way round! By the way, everything listed is free entry unless otherwise noted.

Oxford Pitt Rivers Museum: www.prm.ox.ac.uk

The Last Samurai: Jacques-Philippe Potteau’s Photographs of the Japanese Missions to Europe, 1862 and 1864 (11 April - 18 September 2011)

A complement to the GOMA exhibition listed below, the Pitt Rivers archive is showing fourteen mounted albumen prints and two related engravings from the Japanese missions to several European cities in 1862 and 1864. Delegates, in portraits taken by Jacques-Philippe Potteau in Paris show members of the last generation of samurai.

In a Different Light (Friday 13 May 18.00 – 22.00)

This one sounds fascinating, it's an evening event which provides the opportunity to visit the Museum and explore by torchlight plus live bands and world music and a 'Future Shorts One' screening of short films by emerging directors. It's free event entry on a first-come-first-served basis though films are charged at £3 (advance tickets available soon) and shown for 75mins. at 6.30 & 8pm tickets £3 (advance tickets coming soon).

Manchester Cornerhouse: www.cornerhouse.org

‘New Cartographies: Algeria-France-UK’ (8th April to 5th June)

Ten contemporary artists’ construct personal journeys literally mapping the effects of colonialism and beyond in the relationship between Algeria and Europe through installation, video, photography and mapping. In light of the forthcoming 50th anniversary of Algerian independence, the pertinence of work gains added resonance due to current local and regional revolution and civil unrest. Current debates concerning colonial, post-colonial and neoliberal influences are addressed as well as subsequent connectivity and boundary between North Africa and Europe. Political and personal movements through space are described through migration, Diaspora, and consequent sense of memory and identity.

Glasgow GOMA: www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/our-museums/goma

Blueprint for a Bogey (until 5 June 2011)

The boundaries, rights and ways of play are explored in this exhibition, making it a good one for the cultural, social and comunity/ youth work-minded anthropologists. Including art work from the GOMA collection of Dame Paula Rego, Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, Andy Goldsworthy and Graham Fagen which is presented in conjunction with work by David Sherry, Corin Sworn and the collaborative project Women@Play. There are associated events, talks and workshops

China Through the Lens of John Thomson 1868-1872 (until 12th June)

Considered a pioneer of photojournalism in an age of rare long-distance travel, John Thomson took imagery of landscapes, architecture and a cross-section of the population providing a view on everyday life in 19th century China. This is a timely opportunity to see rarely-seen Chinese material culture from a period in which interiority ruled and it would have been practically impossible for outsiders to have seen, either from without or within, the views displayed. This display affords the opportunity to gain a broader perspective on a country until fairly recently shrouded in mystery and supposition. As this prime mover of the emergent BRICs economic forces get to grips with the imminent reality of becoming a superpower and setting world economic agendas, the ‘view from within’ afforded in part by viewing such materials offers a fascinating insight, and challenging corrective, to contemporary ‘Yellow Peril’ fears and Orientalist fantasies directed toward China and suffered by Chinese immigrants in C19th Britain.

Derby Quad Gallery:

www.formatfestival.com/exhibitions/exhibition/quad-gallery

FORMAT photography festival exhibition (until 8th May)

Modern China is viewed from many angles in another exhibition forming part of the FORMAT streetphotography festival. Territories of identity, belonging and culture are explored through various photographers work looking internationally at Japan, Turkey, Libya and Germany amongst other spaces, some much closer to home. The visualisation of life and lives though the festival offers opportunities for self-engagement and involvement through the reflections included on the nature of image, viewing and the movement toward participant observation photo-style plus the opportunity to 'have a go' and submit images to the FORMAT site.

Bradford National Media Museum: www.nationalmediamuseum.org.uk

‘From Back Home’ (Ongoing in Gallery One)

I confess, I’ve been to this one already so can tell you more about the experience. Two photographers, Anders Petersen (b1944) and JH Engström (b1969), exhibit work made over years of their homeland, Sweden, in the process revealing an often dark and stark underbelly in the people and places that formed them. In the process they provide a window in time (80’s and 90’s) and space illustrating a spectrum of social and cultural activity in both town and country; providing reflections on personal choice and destiny in Nan Goldin-like portrayals of people. As with the best visual anthropology, these images and their accompanying commentaries by the photographers make you want to follow the characters more, know more because some, uncannily, seem like they could be from your own life and so the edges between observer and observed become blurred beyond boundary.

And so, returning to London and the South East:

London,British Museum: www.britishmuseum.org

‘Afghanistan: what makes a nation?’ (12th April)

First up, there is a debate co-run with The Guardian which ties-in with the 'Afghanistan' exhibition to which the charge (£12 concessions, £15 everyone else) gets you access (so a good deal if you’ve not yet got to the exhibition, especially as it will be a lot quieter and so easier to see). Featuring Jon Snow as chair, the discussion will address the diverse peoples, rich resources, and strategic significance of the country in determining the forces that have shaped it.

‘Picasso to Julie Mehretu’ (until 25th April)

This is another one I stumbled across whilst wandering in the Museum the other day and found allsorts of anthropological loveliness in the content of displayed prints by 70 artists of work spanning C20th artistic movements. Fascinating visual takes describe the value of attempting through visual representation to capture and comment on perceptions of the human experience and the interaction between the forms and modes of modernity. The imagery presented underlines and reflects continuity of concerns and interests over time. Work includes Franz Ackermann’s ‘mental maps’ of cultural commodification, globalisation and environments of urbanised modernity observed through ceaseless travel whilst Jean Dubuffet serves a different view with elements of street graf and the art of psychotics incorporated into line forms. Richard Harzman looks at self and others in the form of humanity stripped of feature in simple form, and Phillip Guston’s images of graphic hooded figures, reflective of his experience with the KKK but which chime with current preoccupations with a different kind of equally disturbing ‘hoodie’ figures.

Guilford (venue tbc) St George’s Day 23rd April:
http://wildhunt.org.uk/events2011.php

Worth keeping an eye on the Wild Hunt site to check the venue (probably town centre, near a pub) to see the first annual outing of The Wild Hunt Morris dance group, an event truly not to be missed. The Wild Hunt incorporate tradition with dark Celtic and Norse mythology to perform wild and abandoned yet tradition stepped dances with huge, shaggy and masked costume reminiscent of both African masquerade traditions and Iberian folk dancing, with which there is more than a hint of shared tradition. For a dance form thought to have Moorish historical origins, none of these potential connections are unfounded and to see it is to have a truly wild treat as well as connecting with one of the few British folk dance practice left containing vestiges of much older pagan fertility, placatory and celebratory rites. Don’t expect hankies, do expect big sticks, yelling, lots of joy and a few pints after in the local.

London, The Jewish Museum: www.jewishmuseum.org

Morocco: Photographs by Elias Harrus and Pauline Prior (until 2 May)

Photography by Elias Harrus from the 1940's and 50's featuring the now almost-forgotten and disappeared Jewish community co-existing with Moroocan Muslims in the Atlas Mountains and Sahara oases are counterpointed by those taken by Pauline Prior in 2008. The images enable a reflection on the links between the communities, their religious life, crafts and traditions and a potential 'vanished world'.Rare film footage is also featured as are material cultural items including ceremonial costume and jewellery plus accompanying events, talks and performances and the kosher cafe for a taste of Jewish culinary delights.

London, Geffrye Museum: www.geffrye-museum.org.uk

At Home in Japan - beyond the minimal house (to Monday 29 August 2011)

Based on original ethnographical research by Dr Inge Daniels (University of Oxford), and includes project-specific photography by Susan Andrews (London Metropolitan University) this exhibition in the museum dedicated to the home looks at the myth of the Japanese home in the West. Looking at architecture, decoration and style, the careful and orderly construct is examined as a myth and examines the private lives lived behind the doors, after the manner of Daniel Miller ('The Comfort of Things'), considering contemporary Japanese life through an ethnographic lens through a variety of narrative aspects of home including decoration, display, furniture, the tatami mat to domestically-realted practices of eating, sleeping, ‘gifting’, cleaning and hygiene and worship. Entry is £5.

4th April 2011: Upcoming film treats care of the festival and Migration Week at UCL

2011-04-05T20:33:00.000+01:00

Lucy Special: 12th RAI Film Festival

Image from About a Village
(dir. John.C.Swanson 2011)

The 12th RAI film festival is fast approaching, hosted by University College London between 23-26th June 2011. Until the 15th May, it’s possible to get a special ‘early bird’ rate, along with in-depth detail of films being shown and associated events. Details can be found at www.raifilmfest.org which is being constantly updated as information comes in ‘on the wire’. I checked it out and got a flavour of the global filmic delights in store and started planning!

As films are grouped according to categories of professional and student prizes, I started by looking at the general areas of anthropological discussion represented. Engagement with the experience of globalised humanity is a definite thread; reaching far beyond any sense of holism to explore the play of social and cultural mixing and movement. The strand which most speaks to this addresses migration which I’ll be following throughout Friday. This is, appropriately enough, moving around the venues, creating a journey within the journeys and travels from Italy with ‘Me, My Gypsy Family and Woody Allen’ (Laura Halilovic) and ‘Other Europe’ (Rossella Schillaci) through Germany and Hungary in ‘About a Village’ (John.C.Swanson) to arrive in Switzerland and ‘For Love’ (Isabelle Stuessi). For me, though, the ‘must-see’ looks fascinating as well as having a clever play on a mainstream title, which is ‘No Country for Young Men’ (Sadaf Javdani) which is shot across multiple sites of migratory experience in Iran, Berlin and London.

All the films, made over the past couple of years, tie-in nicely with UCL’s ‘Migration Week’ event (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/intercultural-interaction/migration-week) which started on Monday and has a series of lectures, panel discussions, and conferences exploring topics ranging across the fields of health, economic and social challenge, policy, and the EU Migration Package. An accompanying exhibition explores, amongst other things, the contagious-sounding ‘Egyptomania’ and the ‘Filming Migration’ event on 6th April 2011 is showing five films with a panel discussion. All events are free, requiring no registration so I’m going to brush up on my migration knowledge before I pack my anthro passport and hop on board the good ship RAI film fest ;)

Asia House talk today-update!

2011-03-29T12:14:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone, just to let you know, the talk is on at 18.45 tonight at Asia House-I noticed that the website doesn't have the time so I rang them-hope to see you there!

29 Mar 2011: George Magnus and Gideon Rachman on rising Asian economic power

2011-03-28T20:49:00.001+01:00

See you down at Asia House this evening to get up-to-date analysis on the realignment of world powers after the economic meltdown has finished biting chunks out of former centres of power in the U.S and Europe. George Magnus and Gideon Rachman discuss rising Asian prosperity in the 'Post Crisis World', following the publishing of George Magnus' book 'Uprising' in which he discusses how in 'the East' could well soon be putting 'the West' in the economic shade.

http://georgemagnus.com/books

http://www.asiahouse.org/net/home.aspx

26th March 2010: Youth Producing Change film screenings 3.30pm at the ICA

2011-03-25T21:54:00.002Z

Calling all film-lovers and lovers of freedom of expression! Join me in this great opportunity to see 11 short films made by young people from across the globe as part of Human Rights Watch Film Festival. Their rarely-seen perspective encompasses a range of issues affecting the social, cultural, political and physical environments that they both come from and film in.

It is a chance to gain a particular 'view from within', as well as voice, on the personal issues and concerns that face the young film-makers in relation to their locality but which is inevitably linked to the bigger social and cultural pictures in which they are played out. Issues explored include resource scarcity and the impact on Ngarrindjer community values and customs in Australia, toxic waste affecting community health in the U.S, the challenges that curfews and containment pose for Palestinian teenagers, caste system restrictions on an Indian girl's education, a Haitian's experience of non-entity through lack of birth certificate, and an Afghan young man seeking asylum in the U.K. Referencing themes from sex to death, all of human life is here, as seen and presented by young people producing documentary material which could easily double as visual anthropology.

Some of the film-makers are going to be present and talking about their work and the whole 72 minute extravaganza can be had for the bargain price of £5 if the word 'CHANGE' is mentioned when ordering tickets at the ICA box office in person. Tickets can also be ordered over the phone on 0208 7930 3647.

Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA)The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH

View the trailer online here.

Listen to a podcast interview with the Youth Producing Change Filmmakers.

Afghanistan's hidden treasures at the British Museum

2011-03-22T21:27:00.001Z

It's finally here! I've been waiting with eager anticipation to get to see the treasures of Afghanistan in this new exhibition at the British Museum. This amazing folding crown belonged to a nomadic group buried at Tillya Tepe in Afghanistan in the 1st century. Designed to be portable to suit the nomadic lifestyle, it's 21st century travels have brought it to the UK to become a star exhibit in the 'Afghanistan' exhibition, running until 3rd July 2011. Spanning the centuries BC to AD, the material culture exhibited describes both diverse and mingled cultures within a region that historically provided one of the meeting points of East-West travel, trade and conquest. The existence of the exhibition's collection in itself tells a story as objects were secretly stored to save them from destruction in recent histories of civil war and Taliban rule. This risky venture ensured their survival, preserving a cross-section of lives and times descriptive of Afghanistan's cultural, historical and geographical place and space. They also provide a window through which to consider wider, present-day experiences, and their expression in material cultures, of political and economic movements, cultural mixity, ways of living, and forms of belief and power.

For more details go to http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/future_exhibitions/afghanistan.aspx

2011-03-22T21:17:00.001Z

Lucy's Back!

2011-03-16T13:19:00.006Z

Hello and welcome back to regular updates from Anthropologist About Town! I am fresh back from my holidays and ready to unearth anthropological happenings all over the country!

As I can't physically be 'about town' throughout the UK, I welcome your input to update me on the many and various events, exhibitions, film-screenings, festivals and celebrations or general occurrences that you feel relate to anthropology. Many ears to the ground are better than one and I want to gain a rich mixture of UK-wide material, reflective of the many areas and aspects of anthropological interest and investigation. Simply by getting involved, you will be actively participating in an area which is of great interest to anthropology-a system of exchange, circulating information through communication.

If you are a student let us all know about the events happening at your school, college or university as well as anything locally you think would be of interest to fellow anthropologists. If you're not a student but connected to the world of anthropology in any way, shape or form or simply interested and intrigued by the subject, please join in the adventure of sharing and exploring all things anthropological. There is so much out there of interest for the anthropologically-minded, it would be great for us to pull together to form our own interactive community. So, whatever it is, if it hits your anthropological 'spot' and provides a useful resource for others, please send in your links and suggestions via the contact info provided, preferably with your thoughts on how they relate to this fascinating and diverse subject. Also, let me know what's working and what's not on the blog and get commenting!

As I am just back, I will just post this one event for the moment with more to follow. However, this one is happening today so is hot off the press-hope those of you in London can join me there! More very soon, Lucy.

Wed 16th March: Jean Rouch screenings at the BFI

As part of the BFI Essential Experiments strand at BFI Southbank, NFT2, two films by Jean Rouch will be shown. The first is 'Les Maître Fous' (1955), depicts a Hauka ceremony in West Africa. The second is his first , influential film 'Moi, un noir' (1958) which blends fiction with documentary devices. Screenings are Introduced by Dr Lucy Reynolds, lecturer, artist and film curator and cost £9.50 (Concs. £6.75, BFI Members pay £1.50 less). For more detail visit http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_southbank/events/essential_experiments/two_by_jean_rouch and if you want more information about Jean Rouch, there is 'The Adventure of the Real: Jean Rouch and the Craft of Ethnographic Cinema', published in 2009 by Professor Paul Henley for University of Chicago Press (http://www.press.uchicago.edu).

December 2010: Lucy's on Holiday

2010-12-13T15:55:00.003Z

Hello Dear Readers,

Hope you are enjoying good times with friends, food and family coming up to the holidays. Just to let you know, Lucy will be taking this December off but will be back January to welcome you in 2011 .

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
See you in 2011!

Lucy Special: RAI's Anthropology of Sport Photo Contest

2010-10-20T10:33:00.013+01:00

The photo contest forms part of the RAI’s Discover Anthropology Outreach Programme www.discoveranthropology.org.uk

The contest aims to:
• promote public engagement with the RAI’s Education Outreach Programme

• provide a platform for people to share their work and become actively involved in anthropology

• initiate activities and events in relation to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics

• develop awareness of the anthropology of sport and facilitate communication between practitioners working in media, arts, sports and social sciences

The deadline for submissions is Friday 10th December 2010

What is Anthropology of Sport?

Anthropology of Sport is the cross-cultural and biological understanding of sport in prehistory, history, and the contemporary world (Blanchard 1995). It analyzes the socioeconomic, political and cultural dimensions of sport and how sport influences the lives of individuals and communities around the world.

The submissions we are looking for:

Engaging photographs that explore cross-cultural and human elements of sport in relation to the following categories:1) Globalisation 2) Identity and 3) The Body

Below are themes that could be visualised under each category. They are meant to be illustrative and not restrictive. Applicants are encouraged to think creatively about how they can communicate these categories and relate their photographs to anthropological themes. Photographs can include aspects related to the world of sport such as spectators, fans, paraphernalia, media, and advertising, in addition to people playing sport.

Category 1: Globalisation

- the commercialisation, commodification and consumption of sport
- sports played out virtually, ‘dream teams’, Second Life
- sports in relation to power, equality and hierarchy
- sports and colonisation
- urban infrastructure and development as a result of grand sport events
- environmental sustainability/degradation in relation to sports upkeep/promotion
- youth programmes, community activities and regeneration projects
- media and technological advances in communicating, promoting and advertising sports
- global sporting events as a means for socio-political mobilization
- sports as a cultural product
- sports in relation to leisure and tourism industries

Category 2: Identity

- the formation of local, regional and national identities in relation to sports
- sports as rites of passage
- sports affiliation passed on through generations
- looking at the ways sports create boundaries of inclusion/exclusion
- how sports are linked to identities based on ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion
- how sports paraphernalia, sports equipment and the type of sports undertaken express aspects of identity
- religion and spirituality (praying before games, talismans, religious symbols or totems used to facilitate performance)
- sports achievement and socio-economic status
- sports as a means of organising social relations
- athletes as icons, ‘Hall of Fame’
- sports which identify themselves with counter-culture and resistance to the mainstream
- fans who recreate themselves in their idol’s image

Category 3: The Body

- pushing the body to its physical extremes, dealing with fear, danger, emotion and pain
- the relationship between mind and body
- the value of players based on performance -who owns their bodies?
- how bodies play interact with time and space
- the psychological and physical attachment to adrenaline
- the physical development of professional athletes
- cultural interpretations of beauty and aesthetics in relation to athletes
- athletes as icons within popular culture, body styling and modification as a part of forming athletes’ identities

Who can participate:
The competition is free to enter and is open to anyone within the UK and abroad who is interested in anthropology, photography and sport. Both professional and amateur photographers are welcome to participate.

Guidelines for submissions:

• All applicants must fill in the registration form which can be found on the following website: www.discoveranthropology.org.uk **Participants must complete a separate form for each of their submissions**

• To be considered for the photo competition, each photograph must be accompanied by a title and text of 50-150 words to be included in the registration form.

• Participants can submit a maximum of two photographs to EACH of the categories:1) Globalisation 2) Identity 3) The Body

• Photographers may not submit the same image to more than one category

• Once a photograph has been submitted, it is final and may not be replaced by another photograph.

• Photographs need to be submitted in high resolution JPEG/ TIFF or PNG format and sized less than 10MB. Please send submissions to Nafisa Fera, the RAI Education Officer at education@therai.org.uk

• Submissions that infringe copyright agreements, are unethical or disrespectful of anyone will disqualify the photographer from the contest.

• The RAI is not responsible for any late, misrouted, lost or damaged entries.

• All decisions made by the judges are final.

• The prize is non-exchangeable

How will the submissions be judged?

The Royal Anthropological Institute has appointed a panel of judges who will assess the photos based on the following criteria: - creativity and originality of the photograph - quality of the written text and its incorporation and exploration of anthropological themes and ideas - technical quality of the photographs

Prizes
All short-listed contestants will be published in RAI educational materials. In addition, the winning photograph from each category will receive a £50 gift voucher.

The deadline for submissions is Friday 10th December 2010

For further enquiries
Please contact the Royal Anthropological Institute’s Education Officer Nafisa Fera at education@therai.org.uk or 020 7387 0455 with any further enquiries.

Diary for October 2010

2010-10-11T09:09:00.032+01:00

MONDAY 11th October- Sewing in Wartime

Running until the 16th October is a great exhibition at the Quilt Museum and Art Gallery which looks at the production of material culture amongst Canadian men and women during the Second World War. In collaboration with Canada House, the exhibition features Canadian Red Cross Quilts and other patch worked and quilted pieces. The quilts tell the stories of Canadian needlewomen who made and donated thousands of quilts to the British war relief using their ingenuity and creativity at finding resources and materials that were available at that time. Visit this website for more information about the history and development of the quilts. The exhibition is free. Everyone welcome.

MONDAY 11th October- London Street Photography

The Museum of London is hosting an exhibition bringing together 19th century and contemporary photographs looking at ways in which street life has changed in the city and how photography has influenced how people relate and identify themselves with the city. The exhibition is free and runs until September2011. For more information visit this website.

TUESDAY 12th October- 22nd October- Exhibit yourself through things

If you were asked to choose an object that gave some insight into your life, who you are, your interests, quirks and familiarities what would that be? Would you want to share it with others? The Wellcome Collection has launched a new public engagement exhibition called Things. The aim of the exhibition is to update Henry Wellcome's curious collection but also to find out the meaning of objects that form part of our everyday lives. You can take part in the collection by donating, lending or submitting a photograph of your thing. The objects will form part of the exhibition.The exhibition is free and open to all. Visit this website for more information.

TUESDAY 12th October- 22nd October-The 4th Native Spirit Festival

Today marks the beginning of the 2010 Native Spirit Festival of Indigenous Peoples. Running until the 22nd October the festival includes films, talks and performances celebrating and exploring Indigenous cultures and the protection of their rights. For a full programme of events visit: www.nativespiritfoundation.org

WEDNESDAY 13th October- SOAS Anthropology of Development Seminar

Today from 1:00pm-3:00pm in the Brunei Gallery, Caroline Harper associate director of the Chronic Poverty Research Centre and a research fellow at the Overseas Development Institute, will be giving a presentation entitled Gender, Chronic Poverty and Social Justice. Caroline has over 20 years of experience working with organisations such as Save the Children, UNICEF and ODI on issues regarding childhood poverty, youth exclusion, empowerment and policy processes. You can read more about her work and research background here. The seminar is free and open to the public.

WEDNESDAY 13th OCTOBER- Road to Las Vegas

Insight education in collaboration with Rise films and UCL are hosting a free film screening of Road to Las Vegas directed by Jason Massot. The film documents the journey of an African American couple with five kids from Alaska who take to the road in order to find work in Las Vegas. "Filmed over four years through boom and bust, this is a tale of infidelity, drugs, poverty, infinite promises and new beginnings". The event will take place between 6:30pm-8:30pm in the Archaeology Theatre, Department of Anthropology, entrance 14 Taviton Street. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the director. Everyone welcome.

THURSDAY 14th October- Gender Health and Wellbeing

Today from 2pm onwards, Yiu-Tung Seun from the Institute of Ageing, University of Oxford will be giving a lecture entitled: Men on their own: revisiting assumptions on masculinities, singlehood and health. The seminar will take place in Seminar Room 1, ODID, University of Oxford. Entrance is free, all welcome.

THURSDAY 14th October-Agrarian Change Seminar

Today from 5:15pm in Room 4421 (fourth floor main building) in SOAS, Lucia Da Corta from the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) will be delivering a talk entitled: Agrarian Change, Gender Transformations and Poverty in Tanzania. The seminar is free and everyone welcome.

FRIDAY 15th October- Assembling Bodies

Today from 4:00pm onwards at the University of Manchester's Place Theatre Dr. Anita Herle Senior Curator of World Anthropology at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Cambridge, will be giving the first public lecture in Social Anthropology this month. Anita's talk is entitled: Assembling bodies: Art, Science and Imagination Displaying the technologies that make bodies visible. The seminar is free and everyone welcome.

TUESDAY 19th October- Annual Ethnobotany Lecture 2010

Today at 5pm at Kew's Jodrell Laboratory (Jodrell Gate, Kew Road) is a lecture entitled Dynamics of ethnobotanical knowledge in a globalizing world: the Tsimane people of the Bolivian Amazon. The lecture will be given by Victoria Reyes- Garcia, from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona. Admission is free, everyone welcome.

WEDNESDAY 20th October- SOAS Anthropology of Development Seminar

Today from 1:00pm-3:00pm Scarlett Epstein, director of (Practical Education and Gender Support) and SESAC (Scarlett Epstein Social Assessment Consultancy) presents a talk entitled The need to redress Rural/Urban Development Imbalances. During the 1950s Scarlett was at the forefront of development anthropology, throughout her extensive career, Scarlett has worked as a researcher, consultant and adviser amongst numerous other roles. To find out more about Scarlett's work, you can download this interview conducted in 2004, by Professor Alan MacFarlane's.

FRIDAY 22nd October-24th October- Bloomsbury Festival

Bloomsbury Festival is a chance to celebrate music, cultural events, dance and activities which bring together people who live and work in this wonderful area of London. Bloomsbury hosts many cultural organisations and leading academic institutions such as UCL, British Museum, Welcome Trust, SOAS, Birkbeck and Royal Anthropological Institute as well as important galleries, hospitals and a wealth of other private, public and charity organisations. The festival has over 1000 people working across disciplines to share ideas, experience and expertise with each other and the general public. The majority of events are free and open to all. To find out more about the festival and programme of events visit this website.

FRIDAY 15th October- Christian Freedom and Christian Fixity

Today from 10:30am-12:30pm at the Seligman Library (Old Building) Dr. Jon Bialecki from the University of California San Diego will be discussing his research on the practices and beliefs of Southern Californian Third Wave and Emergent Christians analysing how their constructions of personhood affect their political and economic practices. The title of this seminar is Christian Freedom and Christian Fixity: Evangelical telos and anti-telos in Southern California and beyond. Everyone welcome.

FRIDAY 22nd October- Money-Go-Round

Today from 10:30am-12:30pm at the Seligman Library (Old Building) Professor Deborah James from London School of Economics will be presenting a seminar entitled: Money-go-round: personal economies of wealth, aspiration and indebtedness in South Africa. Deborah is a specialist in anthropology of South and Southern Africa. The majority of her fieldwork has been conducted in Mpumalanga and Northern Provinces. Her research interests include the contestations between state and market driven ideologies in relation to land ownership use and governance and issues relating to reproductive health and HIV-AIDS.

FRIDAY 29th October- Creating Lasting Love

Today from 10:30am-12:30pm at the Seligman Library (Old Building) PhD Candidate Victoria Boydell (LSE) will be presenting a seminar entitled Creating lasting love: a study of contraceptive practice in Central London family planning clinic. Everyone welcome

FRIDAY 29th October- Catching Shadows

As part of their Friday Lates programme the V&A will hold an event from 6:30pm-10pm tonight featuring talks, tours, installations and screenings focusing on the 'Shadow Catchers' exhibition. The Shadow Catchers exhibition presents the work of five artists who create images on photographic paper without the use of a camera, either through casting shadows, using chemical treatment or manipulating light. Find out more about the exhibition through this website. To book your place for this evening call 08445 79190.

FRIDAY 29th October- 30th October- Ethnographic Filmmaking in the Making

The Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations in collaboration with the Royal Anthropological Institute and the International Centre for Contemporary Cultural Research have put together a fantastic film programme exploring topics such as faith-healers, refugee musicians, and diasporic communities. Over the next two days a series of films will be screened from 10:00am- 6:30pm at the Aga Khan University on Euston Road. Full details of the films and filmmakers can be found here. Registration is £10 for a full day. To register your place contact: richard.werbner@manchester.ac.uk

Diary for September 2010

2010-09-01T10:37:00.022+01:00

Thursday 2nd September- Film Night at Birkbeck Cinema

Dochouse in collaboration with Birkbeck College Cinema are hosting three film screenings tonight at Birkbeck's Cinema, 43 Gordon Square, London. The three films include: The Last Rites by Yasmine Kabir; La Chirola by Diego Mondaca and Shelter in Place by Zed Nelson. Descriptions and details of all three films can be found here. The film screenings start at 6:30pm and are free but a voluntary donation of £5 would be greatly appreciated.

Friday 3rd September- Mugabe's Victims: Zimbabwe Today

Prisoners of Conscience (PoC) is a UK charity that works to help individuals who have been persecuted for their beliefs. PoC is hosting a photo exhibition by an award-winning photographer, who took great risks to travel anonymously in Zimbabwe in the summer of 2009. The exhibition focuses on victims of persecution and political violence in Zimbabwe, and is being held at the Menier Gallery 51, Southwark Street London. The exhibition will run until the 11th September. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Wednesday 8th September- 37 Uses for a Dead Sheep

Tonight at the BFI at 6pm there will be a film screening of Ben Hopkin's film 37 Uses for a Dead Sheep (Winner of the Basil Wright Film Prize 2007). The film documents the past and present existence of the Pamir Kirghiz, a tribe of some 2000 people from the Pamir region of Central Asia. For the last 27 years they have lived in exile in Eastern Turkey. In 2005 an Anglo-Turkish film crew arrives in their village to work with their tribe and help them tell their story. To find out more about the film, take a look at this film review and an online interview with the film maker. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with Ben Hopkins and costs £5 to enter. Visit the following website to book your place.

Friday 10th September- The Way of Tea

Today from 14:00pm-15:00pm in Room 92 there will be a free demonstration of the Japanese tea ceremony at the British Museum's Japanese galleries. Anthropologists' fascination with tea culture in Japan has resulted in numerous ethnographies and books about the subject. An interesting and recent publication is Japanese Tea Culture: Art, History and Practise Edited by: Morgan Pitelka (Routledge Curzon, 2005). For those curious to try an assortment of Japanese tea at home, the Algerian Coffee Shop on Old Compton Street in London is a great place to purchase tea and coffee from around the world.

Saturday 11th -12th September- Rivers around the World

As part of the Thames River Festival2010, the British Council's Connecting Classrooms project links schools and 2,000 young people through art and research projects exploring rivers in their cities. Working with professional artists they produce artworks for public display which are exhibited along the banks of the River Thames and in the participating cities. Every year three new countries join the collaboration and it is estimated that there will be 17 countries participating by 2012. For more information visit this website.

Tuesday 14th September- British Science Festival

Running until the 19th of September, the British Science Festival will be held in Birmingham this year. The festival incorporates workshops, talks, hands-on experiments and school activities related to science, technology and engineering. Each year the Royal Anthropological Institute participates in the festival's Education Programme. This year, the RAI film department will be screening Hugh Brody's Film The Meaning of Life. Take a look at this website for a detailed programme of the festival.

Wednesday 15th September- Past to present: a dialogue about nutrition

The Centre for History in Public Health and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Archives have organised a one day conference today entitled 'Nutrition and History in the Twentieth Century'. The conference brings together historians, archivists and members of the LSHTM's nutrition unit together to talk about food policies, diet and famine. A draft programme is available here. The closing date for registration is 3rd of September. To register visit the following website.

Thursday 16th September- Wales Anthropology Day

Similar to the London Anthropology Day, the Wales Anthropology Day is a free open day for teachers, students and the general public who are interested in learning more about what it is like to study anthropology at university. On the day, participants will be able to take part in a series of workshops run by University of Lampeter staff and talk to students currently studying anthropology. To find out more and book your free place visit the following website.

Saturday 18th September- A Conference on Basketry Conservation

The Icon Ethnography Group in cooperation with the Royal Botnaic Gardens, Kew is hosting a one day conference today looking at the conservation, construction and collection care issues of basketry. Speakers from national and international museums and instituteions will cover issues such as the role of conservators in collaboration with indigenous communities and the practical conscerns regarding conservation of objects of cultural heritage. For a list of the conference programme and registration visit this website. Registration is £25 for students/concessions, £45 for members and £65 for non-members.

Monday 20th September- Exploring Africa

Sir Wilferd Thesiger (1910-2003) was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and lived there for 9 years until his family returned to England in 1919. Deemed one of Britain's greatest explorers of the 20th century, Sir Wilfred spent fifty years living and exploring remote places mostly in East and North Africa. He undertook political service in Sudan, river explorations, journeys through Atlas Mountains of Morocco, and explorations in Kenya and Tanzania. The Pitt River's exhibition is the first to epxlore his lifleong relationship with Africa. The exhibition includes a wide selection of his photographs and objects which were collected during his travels. The exhibition is also accompanied by a major new publication, Wilfred Thesiger in Africa. The exhibition is free and open to all.

Tuesday 21st September- Radical Anthropology Group

Tonight Christ Knight will be giving a brief introduction to evening classes on anthropology run by the Radical Anthropology Group. Take a look here to find out more about the topics covered in the evening classes. The introduction will take place at St. Martin's Community Centre from 18:00pm- 21:00pm. Visit the RAG's website for more information.

Saturday 25th September- A Journey to China

The British Museum's China Now legacy project is now on tour at the Manchester Museum. The exhibition combines everyday objects from life in modern day Wuhan, Manchester's sister city in China, alongside historical artifacts that span 3,000 years of history and culture. The exhibition is free and runs until June 2011.

Sunday 26th September- Eid Festival in London

Organised by Muslim groups and the Mayor of London, the Eid Festival marks the end of Ramadan and a month of fasting. The festival is a chance for Muslims and those of any faith to come together and experience the cultural diversity of Islam through art, music, performance and poetry. The event is free and open to all.

ONGOING:

The controversial art of representation...

Melville J. Herskovits (1859-1963) was a pioneering and controversial American anthropologist who played a prominent role in shaping African Studies as a distinct discipline. Herskovits's academic work was both influential and controversial and still emerges in on-going debates on questions of identity and representation. Herkovits at the Heart of Blackness is a documentary which tracks the development of Hervokits's career in relation to African American and Jewish experiences of exile, political oppression and exclusion. The film gives a critical review of anthropologist's role in representing and documenting other societies. Take a look at a preview of the film here.

Small Places Large Issues

The third edition of Thomas Eriksen's book is now available. Small Places Large Issues has become a classic for introduction to social anthropology for undergraduate students as well as those who are new to anthropology. It gives an excellent overview of topics such as kinship, ethinicity, ritual and political systems. The new edition has updated information and has increased emphasis on the interdependence between societies. Take a look here for other introductory texts to social anthropology.

Anthropology Education

The September issue of the American Anthropological Association's official newspaper Anthropology News is entirely devoted to topics concerning anthropology and education. The issue includes articles on pre-university education, online courses, pedagogical standards and assessment models and much more. Take a look here for more information.

Diary for August 2010

2010-08-02T16:47:00.053+01:00

Tuesday 3rd August- The Great British Beer Festival

A number of anthropologists have studied pub culture and the important role pubs play in the construction of British socioeconomic culture. Take a look at this interesting article on the anthropology of pubs. One way in which pubs differentiate from one another is through their diverse range of beers. The Great British Beer Festival taking place at Earls Court until the 7th of August offers 450 beers from all over the world. The festival is a great way to introduce yourself to new varieties of ales, stouts, fruit beers and bitters. The festival also offers pub games, quizzes, food, concerts and more. Tickets vary in price. For more information visit the following website.

Wednesday 4th August- Life on Allotments

What do allotments mean for people living in Britain? Artist Emma Wood captures the diversity of life on two local allotments in London. Her photo exhibition is currently displayed at the Horniman Museum in conjunction with a food garden at the museum inspired by these communities. The exhibition is free and runs until the 17th of October.

Sunday 8th August - Celebrate the London Mela

The London Mela is one of the biggest annual events in the city celebrating South Asian culture and creativity. The event takes place in Gunnersbury Park from 1pm- 8:30pm and is expected to attract 70,000 people. The Mela is free and has a diverse range of cultural activities, food and and music including nine zones of urban, classical and experimental music, DJs, circus, dance, visual arts, comedy and a zone especially for kids. To find out more about the festival visit the official website.

Sunday 8th August- Arabian Nights 2010

The V&A museum with the support of the SAID Foundation has initiated a programme of learning and activities focusing on Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan and Iraq. The programme will run over four years and cover three strands: an annual family festival of Arab culture, an associated network of outreach initiatives, and the development of learning resources. Today is a free art fun festival which incorporates, music lessons, art activities, storytelling and more. The event is free and open to all. For more information of the day's programme visit this website.

Monday 9th August- Festival Brazil

Artists, graphic novelists, musicians, and social scientists are coming together to offer a range of debates, talks, performances and exhibitions to celebrate the diversity and splendour of Brazil. Festival Brazil is brought together by HSBC, the Southbank Centre and London's Brazilian community. 'The festival is a contemporary snapshot of a nation's diverse culture in a vibrant growing economy with some fierce social problems. The Festival reflects what the country is thinking and talking about today'. Take a look at this fantastic video about the Festival and get involved in the free events and activities throughout the summer. The Festival runs until the 5th of September. For more information visit this website.

Tuesday 10th August- The Japan-British Exhibition of 1910

The Museum of Fulham Palace is currently hosting an exposition which documents the story of the Japan- British 1910 exhibition which took place in White City. The exhibition at the time was used to help strengthen the political and economic relations between the two countries. The exhibition on included gardens, temples, tea houses, and water features built by Japanese designers and workmen which ended up making visitors feel like they were in Japan itself. The exposition is free to all and open during the museum's opening hours.

Wednesday 11th August- Rude Britania

What part does visual comedy play in the depiction and creation of British culture? Running until the 5th September at the Tate Britain is an exhibtion entitled: Rude Britania: British Comic Art in London Tate Britain. The exhibition analyses how artists have used humour in various mediums and the wider role visual humour plays in British culture. The exhibition includes drawings, films, photography and sculpture and has a special section devoted to rude humour such as saucy seaside postcard by Donald McGill and works by Sarah Luca, and Aubrey Beardsley. Tickets are £10.00 or £8.50 concession.

Thursday 12th August- Discover the Power of the Akan Drum

The Akan drum is one of the objects featured in the BBC series a History of the World in 100 objects. The drum is the oldest African-American object in the British Museum brought from West Africa to the Colony of Virginia as part of the slave trade around 1735. 'Akan' refers to an ethnic and linguistic group from West Africa which includes the Fante, Asante and Akuapem, and its culture is most apparent today is Ghana. Today marks the opening of a display which follows the journey of the drum relating its story from the transatlantic slave trade to its influence on African-American music. The Akan Drum display is open and free to all in Room 3 at the British Museum and runs until the 10th of October.

Friday 13th August- Edinburgh International Festival

Today marks the beginning of the Edinburgh International Festival. Founded in 1947, the Festival grew after the Second World War with the aim of providing 'a platform for the flowering of the human spirit'. Every year the festival transforms the city with the best classical music, theatre, dance and visual art from around the world. Find out more about ticket prices and the programme through this website.

Saturday 14th August- The Invisibles

Leah Gordon is a photographer, film-maker and curator who has been involved in various projects documenting life in Haiti. Her current exhibition at the Riflemaker is called 'The Invisibles'. Leah Gordon describes being drawn to the boundaries between art, religion and anthropology. "These borderlands have a historical, and often uncomfortable, relationship with photography. A suspicion that photography has observed and policed, but never taken part. Photography has rarely been embraced as a form of representation by religions. It is as if photography, with it's indelible relationship to the material, could only serve to disprove the divine, Although when one reflects on its alchemical past it seems rooted in magical process". Find out more about the exhibition through this website.

Sunday 29th August - Notting Hill Carnival

Over the next two days Notting Hill will be converted into a Caribbean festival of food, fun, colour, costumes and wonderful parades. The carnival takes place every August and has now become Europe's largest street festival. The festival is free and includes three miles of food stalls with jerk chicken being a popular favourite and music from steel bands, calypso, soca and of course the amazing parades where children and adults from communities with cultural ties to South America, Africa and Caribbean join in to dance and sing in their beautiful costumes along Notting Hill's streets. To find out more about this year's festival visit this website.

Monday 30th August- Booking Ahead for Wales Anthropology Day

Many of you who were not able to come to this year's London Anthropology Day will be happy to know that there is a sister event happening on the 16th of September in Wales. Every year the University of Wales Lampeter organises a free university taster day of anthropological workshops and films aimed at Year 12, 13, FE students and teachers. To find out more and book your free place visit this website.

ONGOING ACTIVITIES:

Exploring identity in Latin America

Peter Wade's Book 'Race and Ethnicity in Latin America' has now been updated and the second edition will soon be released on September 13th 2010. Bringing the analysis up to date, the second edition of the book looks at the ways in which racial and ethnic systems of classification have developed and work currently in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and Guatemala. The discussion focuses particularly on African-descended and Native American groups. Race and ethnicity as analytical concepts are re-examined in order to assess their usefulness. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in learning about identity in Latin America.

London Anthropology Day 2010 Photos now Online!

The London Anthropology Day 2010 is a university taster day for Year 12,13 and FE students, career advisors and teachers. Organised by the Royal Anthropological Institute's Education Programme in collaboration with the British Museum and participating universities the event was held on 8th July. This year's event included 18 universities from England, Ireland and Wales and over 350 participants making it the largest London Anthropology Day to date. Take a look at the this year's photos along with other anthropological events on this website.

Diary for June 2010

2010-06-01T13:08:00.037+01:00

TUESDAY 8th JUNE-Call for Films!

Aspekty is a yearly festival of visual anthropology which takes place in Poland and which aims to show the various relationships between phenomena, human interaction and diversity within and amongst cultures through the visual medium. The festival is currently looking for ethnographic or documentary films to be submitted. Films that are submitted must have been completed after 2005. For more information and to download a submission form, visit http://aspektyfestival.pl/en

WEDNESDAY 9th JUNE- The Human Costs of Black Gold

The Environment, Politics & Development Research Group of King's College London will host its Annual Lecture today at Kings College London. Professor Michael Watts (University of California, Berkley) will be delivering a lecture entitled the Permanent Frontier: A Political Ecology of Insurgency. Over the last decade Professor Watt's research activities have focused on the political ecology of oil in West Africa, his most recent book is 'The Curse of the Black Gold: Fifty Years of Oil in the Niger Delta' . The lecture will take place in the Geography Department of Kings College, Room S-2.08 2nd basement, Strand Building, Strand Campus. The lecture will begin at 5:30pm. The event is free and all are welcome. To book your place email: delphine.pejchert@kcl.ac.uk

THURSDAY 10th JUNE-Object-Image-Memory

Today marks the fist day of a three part seminar organised by the Pitt Rivers Museum and the Oxford Academy of Documentary Film aimed at people over 65 who are interested to learn about digital film cameras and would like to capture some of their memories on film. For more information and to book a place you can pick up a form at the information desk or email: alison@oadf.co.uk

THURSDAY 10th JUNE- SKIN

Today marks the first day of the Welcome Collection's exhibition on skin. Skin is the largest organ on the human body, but it wasn't studied as an organ in its own right until the 20th century. The Welcome exhibition looks at the history of skin through medical drawings, paintings and anatomical models. Participants are able to handle skin-flap models used in plastic surgery and try on latex suits. A series of events and a tattoo contest form part of the exhibition. The exhibition is free. Everyone welcome. For more information visit this website.

FRIDAY 11th JUNE- The Morality of Giving and Receiving

Today from 10:30am-12:3pm at LSE's Seligman Library A607 (Old Building), Professor Katy Gardner (University of Sussex) will be giving a lecture entitlted: The Oil Company, 'Partnership' and the morality of giving and receiving. Since 2008 Katy has been working on a project funded by ESRC/Dfid on Mining, Livelihoods and Social Networks in Bangladesh. This has involved returning to her original fieldwork village in Bangladesh, where a multinational company is currently mining natural gas. The project investigates the relationships between transnational migration, global capitalism and resistance, plus multinational policies and practices of 'Corporate Social Responsibility'.

FRIDAY 11th JUNE- Shifting Sands Musical Performance

The Shifting Sands project is a new British Council initiative that aims to explore the musical roots of the United Kingdom and the Middle East as part of an ongoing creative collaboration. Tonight there will be two free performances held at the Southbank Centre from 6pm-8:45pm. Artists include Andy Mellon, Brendan Kelly and Pete Flood from Bellowhead, UK folk's rising star Sam Carter, Middle Eastern music specialist Giles Lewin and one of Scotland's most innovative musicians, Corrina Hewat. For more information visit this website.

FRIDAY 11th JUNE- Human Rights and Visual Culture

The Birkbeck Institute for Social Reserach & Birkbeck Institute for Humanities have come together to provide an event where scholars, campaigners and practitioners can share ideas and experience on the role of visual media in the formation of human rights politics and practices. The event is in collaboration with the Centre for Media, Culture and Creative Practice . It takes place in at Birkbeck in Room B04 from 10:00-5:00pm and is free and open to all. Registration by email is essential. To book your place email Julia Eisner at j.eisner@bbk.ac.uk

SATURDAY12th JUNE- A Day to Learn About Music

Following on from Friday's Shifting Sands concert, is a full day workshop aimed at advanced musicians (aged 16 and over) with an interest in traditional music of all cultures. The day will involve a talk about different music instruments and traditions, followed by a practical workshop session, and as a finale the groups get to perform together in front of 2000 people on the Meltdown band stage in the Southbank Clore Ballroom. For more information and to book your free place email: shiftingsands@southbankcentre.co.uk

MONDAY 14th JUNE- Recycling Textile Technologies

Today at UCL there will be a full day interdisciplinary workshop (9:30am-5pm) exploring the relationships between people and things, raw materials and technologies and the rise of entrepreneurs and innovators in different social contexts. The workshop brings together the work and experience of geographers, anthropologists, historians, designers, waste consultants and consumer researchers. Admission (including refreshments and lunch) is £25 waged and £18 unwaged or student. To book your place email Julie Botticello at ucsajbo@ucl.ac.uk

TUESDAY 15th JUNE- The Creative City after the Crash

Today at the Manchester Museum there will be a CRESC seminar looking at the arts scene and urban cultures of Manchester. An interdisciplinary range of scholars, local policy actors and leading representatives of the arts in the city, will speak about how they envisage the future of cutting edge culture and creativity in the new age of austerity and budget cuts. For more information visit this website. Participation fees are £15, concession £5. To reserve your place email: cresc@manchester.ac.uk

THURSDAY 17th June- The Quest for Perfect Skin

'Since the 17th century, a multimillion-pound industry has developed that feeds on our aesthetic concerns about skin'. As part of its new exhibition on the history of research and visual depictions of skin, the Welcome Trust is hosting a series of lectures. Tonight's lecture will be delivered by Stefania Crowther. She will be speaking about the roots of the cosmetic industry and how it affects individual relationships with health, comparing early modern skincare preparations with today's practices. The talk will be held at the Welcome Collection. Tickets are free and open to everyone. Tickets are given on a first come first serve basis and can be collected from the information desk from 4:30pm onwards on the day.

FRIDAY 18th June-Ecstatic Flow

A new exhibition called Ecstatic Flow is on display at the October Gallery in London. The exhibition shows the magnificent artwork of Algerian artisti Rachid Koraïchi . Koraïchi's work is heavily influenced by his Sufi upbringing and is infused with the ethos and symbolism of Sufi mysticism and numerology. Koraïchi's works include a wide variety of media such as: ceramics, textiles, poetry, calligraphy, and paint. The exhibition is particularly concerned with the Islamic concept of Safar (travel and transcendence), the installation traces the journey of medieval Muslim traveller Jalal Al Din Al Rumi across the Mediterranean to meet the Sufi mystic and poet Ibn El Arabi. The exhibition runs until the 18th of July. For more information and booking details, visit this website.

FRIDAY 18th JUNE- Religion in Amazonia

Today from 10:30am-12:3pm at LSE's Seligman Library A607 (Old Building), Professor Mark Harris (University of St. Andrews) will be talking about local religion in Eighteenth-century Brazilian Amazonia. Harris has been conducting research with peasant river dwellers in the Brazilian Amazon since 1992. He has also conducted archival research on the region, focusing on the origins of a massive rebellion in the 1830s.

SATURDAY 19th JUNE- Refuge in Films

Refuge in Films is a group of young people some of whom are refugees and migrants from around the world who come together t0 make documentaries about their lives and experiences. This year's festival will be held at the BFI. Over three days from 11:00am onwards, short films ranging from bike projects for asylum seekers in the UK, to rebuilding communities in Ethiopia after 2007. Visit this website for a detailed programme of the festival. Ticket prices can be found on the BFI website.

FRIDAY 25th JUNE- Suicide in an Indian Town

Today from 10:30am-12:3pm at LSE's Seligman Library A607 (Old Building) Professor Jonathan Parry will be giving a talk on suicide in an Indian steel town. Professor Parry has been doing fieldwork on industrial workers in the central Indian steel town of Bhilai (in the Chhattisgarh region of Madhya Pradesh) which was built on a "green field" site with Soviet collaboration and technology in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The public sector Bhilai Steel Plant is now one of the largest steel plants in Asia, and has served as a magnet for a great deal of private sector industrial development. Part of the fieldwork has focused on on shopfloor organisation, but much of it has been conducted in the ex-villages-cum-labour colonies in which the workers have their homes.

SATURDAY 26th JUNE- Treasures from Trash

Today is the first day of an exhibition at Croydon Clocktower which explores how 'trash' is recycled around the world to make everyday objects. Communities around the world are using their creativity to create eco-products such as hats made out of pop cans, tyre buckets transformed into toys, and stoves made into handbags. These treasures are supporting groups of artists around the world and providing them with an new source of income. The exhibtion is free and open to everyone.

SATURDAY 26th JUNE- Okinawa Day

Today in Spitalfields, from 11:00-7:00pm there will be a celebration of Okinawan culture, music, art, dancing and food. The event is free and everyone is welcome. Take a look at photos and videos from last year's festival on this website.

Monday 28th JUNE- Culture Evolves

As part of this year's See Further:Festival of Science and Arts the Royal Society is hosting a free two day interdisciplinary conference called Culture Evolves aimed at academics/students interested in cultural evolution. 'The capacity of culture is a product of biological evolution-yet culture itself can also evolve, generating cultural phylogenies. The workshop will address new discoveries and controversies illuminating these phenomena, from the roots of culture in the animal kingdom to human, cultural evolutionary trees and the cognitive adaptations shaping our special cultural nature. The event is free but registration is essential. For conference details and registration visit this website.

ONGOING:

Anthropologist Carla Stang has recently published a wonderful accessible ethnography called 'A Walk to the River in Amazonia' . The ethnography follows the everyday realities of the Mehinaku Indians, an Amazonian people by observing various aspects of their experience and by relating how these different facets come to play in a stream of ordinary consciousness, a walk to the river. In this way, abstract schemata such as ‘cosmology,’ ‘sociality,’ ‘gender,’ and the ‘everyday’ are understood as they are actually lived.

Diary for May 2010

2010-05-01T12:07:00.043+01:00

SUNDAY 2nd May - Asahi Anime Festival

For the past two days Brighton's Bartholomew Square has been transformed by a street festival combining Japanese music, food, karaoke and Manga. The highlight of the festival is the cosplay competition where Manga fans dress up and compete to win the Final Fantasy hero award! Click here to find out more information. Anthropologists have long been interested in Manga as an art form and means of expression and many interesting ethnographies have been written about the subject. To find out more about the anthropology of Manga, visit the Centre for Anthropology library at the British Museum and peruse through the numerous books.

MONDAY 3rd May- Bookings are now open for London Anthropology Day!

London Anthropology Day is the largest national open day for anthropology in Britain. Organised by the Royal Anthropological Institute in collaboration with the British Museum (BM) and participating universities the event will be held on July 8th at the BM's Education Clore Centre. The LAD is open to Year 12/13 and FE students, teachers and career advisers who want to find out more about anthropology and gain first-hand experience of what it is like to study the subject at university. The LAD 2010 will have 18 universities attending from England, Wales and Ireland, making this year the biggest event to date. The LAD is free but advanced booking is necessary. For more information and to book your free place, please visit: www.londonanthropologyday.co.uk

MONDAY 3rd May- Brighton Festival

The 44th annual Brighton Festival has a full programme of debates, music, dance performances and outdoor events. An anthropological highlight of the festival is the free outdoor event: Bodies in Urban Spaces. Conceived and created by Austrian choreographer Willi Dorner, the idea is for people to meet at a secret location and join in making human sculptures that recreates our urban space. The sculpture is led by 20 'movement artists' (dancers, climbers and athletes) but others can join in as well. Watch the architectural creation in action, and find out how to get involved in this year's festival! The festival runs until the 23rd of May.

MONDAY 3rd May- Tomorrow: a Film Instillation by Fiona Tan

As part of the 2010 Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art, the city's Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) presents a video instillation entitled Tomorrow by internationally renowned artist Fiona Tan. The instillation challenges assumptions about identity, race and ethnicity by exploring the intimate lives of a group of schoolchildren in Sweden. Tan lives and works in Amsterdam and is best known for her film and photography work on human representation. You and read an interview with the artist and her instillation Tomorrow in the Herald Scotland. The exhibition is free and runs until the 27th September.

WEDNESDAY 5th May- Right to the City Workshop

The Urban Rights Group at the University of Manchester's Institute for Development Policy and Management is hosting a free workshop for early career/doctoral researchers with an interest in the Right to the City. 'The aim of the workshop is to discuss the Right to the City as it relates to theory and practice in global Southern cities, from a variety of disciplinary perspectives and with regard to diverse human issues, including poverty and land tenure'. The event is free but spaces are limited. To book your free place contact: gemma.sou@manchester.ac.uk

THURSDAY 6th May-REWIND: A Cantana for Voice, Tape and Testimony

Tonight at 7:30pm at the Royal Festival Hall a fantastic performance of music and digital art called Rewind will take place. Rewind is a composition which 'celebrates the human spirit that rose above the horror of South African apartheid'. Philip Miller mixes traditional and operatic South African music styles. The music is complemented by Gerhard Marx's animated projections of photographs and text of testimonies of victims and perpetrators. For more information and ticket prices, visit this website.

FRIDAY 7th May- Wall Paintings of Shekhawati, Rajastan

Ilay Cooper is a writer, photographer and art historian who has lectured at the British Museum, the V&A and the Courtauld Institute. Ilay has spent some 10 years exploring Shekhawati and the surrounding region, documenting its famous painted buildings. The murals decorate mansions, temples and caravanserais. They embrace Hindu mythology, folk tales, history, everyday life, animals, plants erotica, foreigners and a wealth of decorative designs. Join Ilay as he talks about his adventures and his book 'The Painted Towns of Shekhawati'. The event is held at the Ebenezer Chapel, in Somerset. Tickets include a glass of wine and curry supper. Call 07860 480035 to reserve your place.

FRIDAY 7th May- Ethnography Beyond Ethnos

The Anthropological Association of Ireland's Annual Conference is taking place over the next two day at Trinity College in Dublin. The keynote lecture " Framing Conflict: measurement, objectification and comparison in studies of violence and practices for its amelioration' will be given by Dr. Yael Navarro-Yashin from Cambridge University. On-site registration for non-members is 15 pounds. For more information and to download a full programme visit www.anthropologyireland.org

FRIDAY 7th May - Real Food Festival

If you are a fan of going to Borough market chatting to local producers and tasting artisan food, then you may be interested in attending the Real Food Festival. Running from the 7th-10th of May,the festival is held every year at London's Earl Court. The festival showcases organic and artisan food made from farmers in England and all over Europe, as well as cooking demonstrations and workshops and much more. For more information and ticket prices check out the Real Food Festival website.

SATURDAY 8th May- RAI's International Meaning of Water Photo Contest Now Online!

The Royal Anthropological Institute's Education Programme launched a photo contest called The Meaning of Water which ran alongside their ESRC 2010 outreach events. The photo contest focused on the human relationship to water in the context of: livelihoods and sustainability; religion and spirituality; trade and transport and management and access. The contest was an amazing success with over 200 submissions from all over the world. The panel of judges included Professor Elizabeth Edwards, Dr. Chris Wright, Amanda Vinson, Guven Witteveen and contest organiser Nafisa Fera. The panel were amazed at the quality of the photographs submitted and decided to make two short-lists (Runner-Ups and Finalists) for each category. The short-listed photos are going online today! Take a look at the photos on our Flickr Gallery and the Discover Anthropology website.

THURSDAY 13th May- Frazer Strikes Back from the Armchair

Tonight from 6-7pm at LSE's Old Theatre, Dr. Rane Willerslev will argue that 'the Malinowskian recourse to empirical evidence as the ultimate criterion for anthropological knowledge is misguided'. Do we always have to undertake ethnographic fieldwork as Malinowski did in order that our research be validated as anthropologists? Dr. Willerslev argues that some phenomena such as the 'soul' and 'ritual blood sacrifice' are beyond empirical experience. The event is free and open to all. Entry is on a first come first serve basis. For more information email j.f.stone@lse.ac.uk

SATURDAY 15th May - The Emperor's Secret Garden

The Oxford Ethnographic Film Society presents the The Emperor's Secret Garden, a new film by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Andre Singer. The one-hour documentary explores the restoration undertaken over 5 years of the Private Lodge of Retirement in the 18th Century Qianlong Garden Complex in Beijing's Forbidden City. The restoration has been involved the collaboration between The Palace Museum, The World Monuments Fund, The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation and The Prince's Charities Foundation (China). The screening will take place at 11:00am at the Pitt Rivers Museum. The event is free and open to everyone.

WEDNESDAY 19th May- Revisiting Dead Birds & Dani Sweet Potatoes

This afternoon at 2:00pm at the Pitt Rivers Museum, acclaimed anthropologist and filmmaker Professor Karl Heider (University of South Carolina) presents a variety of films spanning the length of his career including his work with the Dani of Papua New Guinea. Professor Heider has concentrated on psychological and visual anthropology in particular, his work focuses on emotions and sexuality. Take a look here to find out more about his research. The event is free and open to everyone.

WEDNESDAY 19th May-Barbara E. Ward Commemorative Lecture

Today at 5pm in the Nissan Lecture Theatre at St. Antony's College Oxford, Dr. Hausner will be giving the International Gender Studies Centre's Ward Commemorative Lecture. Dr. Hausner's lecture will focus on her current research on Nepali migrant religion in Britain and America as well as her book 'Wandering with Sadhus: Ascetics in the Hindu Himalayas'. For more information and booking details email: maria.jaschok@qeh.ox.ac.uk

THURSDAY 20th May- Forest Ecosystems

How can we restore forests the have been severely damaged by illegal logging and uncontrolled conversion to farmland? Dr. Mark Huxham and Dr. Glen Reynolds share their insights and the results of their pioneering research into the restoration of rainforests in Borneo and mangrove forests in Kenya. Join both Earthwatch scientists in this public lecture taking place at 7:00pm at the Royal Geographical Society. Tickets are free but donations are welcome. To find out more information visit this website.

FRIDAY May 21st- Art.Public. Tourism.

The Centre for Tourism and Cultural Change is hosting a one-day workshop in Leeds, exploring the exchange between artists, art managers the general public and tourism promoters. The workshop addresses questions such as: is what is good for art also good for tourism? What kind of publics do art and tourism produce? For a detailed programme and information about registration fees go to this website.

TUESDAY 25th May - Virtual Ethnography

Tonight at 6:30pm at the October Gallery in London, anthropologist Damien De Barra tells participants of his virtual ethnographic research spanning the length of 12 years looking specifically at 9/11 conspiracy theories. De Barra's research looks at the processes by which conspiracy theorists, their detractors, and the media have been engaged in cyber conversations of meaning-making brought about by the rise of social media. Both the conspiracy theorists and their debunkers claim to be telling 'the truth'. How do we know who is telling the truth? In what ways is the phrase being constructed and used by these various groups? Are these conversations just acts of speculation or is something bigger, deeper and more sinister at play? To RSVP email: rentals@octobergallery.co.uk Tickets are 7 pounds or 5 pounds concession.

ONGOING

A new book by anthropologist Annu Jalais called 'Forest of Tigers:People, Politics and Environment in the Sundarbans' has recently been published. The mangrove islands that comprise the Sundarbans area of the Bengal delta have unique ecosystems and are home to the Royal Bengal Tigers. One of the key questions the author addresses in this ethnography is what do tigers mean for the islanders of the Sundarbans? The author argues that far more than through caste, tribe or religion, the Sundarbans islanders articulate their social locations and interactions by reference to the non-human world- the forest and its terrifying protagonist, the man-eating tiger.

Another book that has recently been published is by Dr. Jens Kjaerulff called 'Internet and Change: An Anthropology of Knowledge and Flexible Work' . Undertaking research amongst 'teleworkers', people working via internet from their homes in rural Denmark, Kjaerullf's work analyzes the question of how internet use may be related to social and cultural change.

Lucy Special: The upcoming ESRC Festival of Social Science

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I'm posting a special Anthropologist About Town blog, to let you know about The ESRC Festival of Social Science which is coming up in less than two weeks and give you a head start in booking your tickets to free social science events around the UK.

The ESRC Festival of Social Science takes place annually in March. The festival provides an opportunity for organisations around the UK to share their research, and organise events and activities which demonstrate the importance and impact social science has on our everyday lives.

This year's festival will take place from the 12th- 21st March. There are events all over the country, some which are suitable for schools, others for people with a specific knowledge/interest in the topic, for professionals, and for a general public audience. To find out more about all the events visit the ESRC Festival website.

The Festival has some great events that are open to the general public. Below are a few highlights.

12th -13th March- Focus on Low Carbon Living

Students across the UK have been exploring how energy functions in their daily lives, and what steps can be taken to reduce energy use or be more energy-efficient. Science Oxford Live hosts an exhibition of their photographic and/or artistic results, and investigate how students' work can help us to focus on what Low Carbon Living would actually mean. The event is taking place at the Meeting Place, University of Oxford. For more information and to book your free ticket contact jennifer.otoadese@ouce.ox.ac.uk

13th March- Exploring Privacy: Your privacy and the internet

Based on a three year collaborative research project, Royal Holloway University of London are hosting an event which encourages participants to share their views about online identity and privacy. Taking place at the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens the event begins with a short performance followed by a discussion and interactive activity to record participants' thoughts and conclusions. For more information and to book your free place contact Claire Hudson at: Claire.hudson@rhhul.ac.uk

15th March - Memories of Medical Research in Africa: a photography exhibition

The Anthropologies of African Biosciences Research Group presents an exhibition exploring the social life of medical research in Africa. Photographs, short films and artwork evoke historical and contemporary experiences of research participants, workers and communities. The evening opening event includes an introduction to the exhibition, music and a free glass of wine. The event will take place at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine's Cafe. To book your free place email Gemma Jones at gemma.jones@lshtm.ac.uk/ 020 7927 2663

16th- 18th March- Water Cultures: discovering the meaning of water through film

Water cultures offers participants an opportunity to take a glimpse at communities around the worlds whose livelihoods are being threatened by fresh water scarcity, and who are drawing upon local knowledge to find solutions to their predicament.

Format: A brief introduction about the ESRC Festival, the film, and film maker, followed by the screening and a Q&A session.

Time: 6:30-8:30pm

Location: The Royal Anthropological Institute's Screening Room

Free snacks and drinks will be provided. To book your free place visit: www.discoveranthropology.org.uk or email Nafisa Fera, the RAI's Education Officer at education@therai.org.uk /020 7387 0455

16th March 6:30pm - The Water Goddess and the Computer
Screening followed by Q&A with Andre Singer

Film makers: Andre Singer and Stephen Lansing, Colour, 52 minutes, 1989

The film demonstrates how in Bali, development projects can threaten a carefully balanced ecological irrigation system that is maintained by temple priests. A biologist and an anthropologist look at the traditional irrigation system and show through the use of a computer how it works. They then present the computer system to the temple priests as an aid to explore the effects of changes in the traditional irrigation system.

17th March 6:30pm- Drowned Out
Screening followed by Q&A with Hugh Brody

Director: Franny Armstrong, colour, 72 mins, 2002

An Indian family decide to stay at home and drown rather than make way for the Narmada Dam. They are faced with three choices: move to the slums in the city; accept a place at the resettlement site; or stay at home and drown. The people of Jalsindhi in central India must make a decision fast. In the next few weeks, their village will disappear underwater as the giant Narmada Dam fills. Bestselling author Arudhati Roy joins the fight against the dam and asks difficult questions such as: Will the water go to poor farmers or rich industrialists? What happened to the 16 million people displaced by fifty years of dam building? Why should I care? Drowned Out follows the Jalsindhi villagers through hunger strikes, rallies, police brutality and a six year Supreme Court case.

18th March 6:30pm- Little Waterfall
Screening followed by Q&A with Joshka Wessel

Film maker: Joshka Wessel, colour, 52 mins, 2003

Little Waterfall is a small village on the edge of the desert in Northern Syria. Life in Little Waterfall is made possible by the use of a 1500-year old Byzantine water tunnel. However, decades of migration and family conflicts caused the tunnel's maintenance to be ignored. Mohammed Musa spent all his life in Little Waterfall. He does not have irrigation rights and he resents the way irrigation rights are sold by others. He undertakes a project to clean the tunnel in order to safeguard the water supply, and pursue his own interests.

20th March- The Meaning of Water

Time: 10:00am-4:00pm

Location: HMS President Boat, Victoria Embankment, EC4Y, London

The Meaning of Water aims to raise public awareness of research and development projects undertaken by anthropologists, social scientists, and NGOs in the UK and abroad. Through presentations, films and exhibitions, the event explores two main themes: 1) access, advocacy and fresh water management; and 2) sustainability and livelihoods. The event addresses questions such as: how are communities finding local solutions to water scarcity? In what ways can we decrease our water footprint? What are the repercussions of water being treated as a commodity rather than as a common right? We hope that through this event participants will better understand our local and global interdependent relationship to water and foster collaboration between associated groups of individuals.

To book your free place visit: www.discoveranthropology.org.uk or email Nafisa Fera, the RAI's Education Officer at education@therai.org.uk / 020 7387 0455

Diary for 25th February to 31st February 2010

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THURSDAY 25th February - RAI's International Meaning of Water Photo Contest

Last week I posted news about the RAI's Meaning of Water International Photo Contest. Since then, I have received questions as to whether or not professional anthropologists and photography students are able to enter the contest. The answer is yes. The contest welcomes photographs from anyone with a passion for photography and anthropology. Professional photographers however, are not eligible. To find out more about the contest and download an application form visit: www.discoveranthropology.org.uk

FRIDAY 26th February- 13 Moon Screenings

The Native Spirit Foundation in collaboration with SOAS Students' Union present regular evening film screenings & talks promoting the cultures of indigenous people taking place every full moon. Tonight at 6pm in Room G2 at SOAS three films will be shown: Meet the Preak, a film about a unique man in New Zealand who questions the need to be part of 'modern society' ; the second film is called 13 Pueblos, Defending Water, Air & Land, and looks at a group of indigenous communities in Mexico working collectively to protect their land. The final film Alcatraz is not an island looks at a group of Native American students and activists who in 1969 decided to occupy Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Admission is £6 or £3 for students.

SATURDAY 27th February- Brighton Science Festival

As part of the Brighton Science Festival from10-6pm today in the Sallis Benney Theatre (56-58 Parade) there will games, talks, debates and fun activities for all ages aimed at celebrating the diversity of science. There are some fascinating discussions, such as The Lying Ape, led by body language expert Harry Witchel. Harry teachers you how to 'read' body language and decipher when people are lying to you or telling the truth. Tickets for the day are 10 pounds or 6 pounds concession. To find out more about the festival's programme visit: www.BrightonScience.com

SUNDAY 28th February- Global Empires Post-Graduate Research Project

The University of Aberdeen is offering funding for a number of Masters and PhD studentships within their interdisciplinary project on 'Ideas, Practices, and Impacts of Global Empire'. The project is being overseen by a supervisory team drawn from History, Anthropology, Hispanic Studies, International Relations, and the University's museums. The project is interested in a number of themes: cross cultural encounters and collecting; material culture and visual representations of encounters; trade, migration, and empire; the ideologies of empires; and resistance and the ends of empires. The closing date for applications is 30th April 2010. Visit this website for more information.

MONDAY 1st March- ISEFF Ethnographic Film Festival

Goldsmith's International Student Ethnographic Film Festival festival is starting tomorrow (2nd March). The festival focuses on collaborations and engagements between anthropologists, filmmakers and their 'subjects' in ethnographic films. Running for three days (2nd-4th March) the festival has a diverse range of films for its' three main themes: faces, places and spaces. For more information visit:www.iseff.co.uk/

TUESDAY 2nd March- The Giant Buddhas

Today I am heading to UCL's Institute of Archaeology Lecture Theatre to see the award- winning film 'The Giant Buddhas' by Christian Frei. Produced by independent Swiss film maker and producer Chris Frei, the film tells the story of the destruction of the famous Bayiman Buddha Statues in Afghanistan, and reflects on issues of faith, fanaticism, terror, tolerance, ignorance and identity. The screening starts at 6:15. Entrance is free and all are welcome.

WEDNESDAY 3rd March- Online access to archival material: taking a longterm perspective

Today I am going to reserve a free place for tomorrow's 4th March seminar at the Centre for Anthropology at the British Museum. The seminar is entitled: Mission 21/Basel Mission- Longterm Perspectives of Web Access. The seminar focuses on the history and process of digitisation of archival photographs, maps and manuscripts of the Basel Mission in Switzerland. Anthropologist and historical photo curator, Barbara Frey-Naf will be speaking about the significance of the collection as a resource for academic research in cultural anthropology, geography, history and environmental sciences. The seminar is free and open to all. Advanced booking required. To book your free place email:JAyres@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk