In April, the short film Sacred Ash in the Age of Kali, produced by the collective brasiliense Etnofoco , was exhibited at the Musée du Quay Branly in Paris, during the international conference "Reflections on the images to a combination of photography and film" . Sacred Ash in the Age of Kali is the product of a ten-year survey conducted by Olivier Boels photographer and anthropologist Lena Tosta, founders of Etnofoco with the heterodox Hindu ascetics, sadhus and nagas aghoris. Through the combination of video photography and ethnography, Etnofoco suggests a reflection on the hybridization of languages ​​and the specifics of still images and animated themes that permeated the conference in Paris.

Naga sadhus are demonstration of firepower. © etnofoco

The photo of the guru's darshan instrument, learning through the image. © etnofoco

How did the opportunity to join the conversation? How was the reception of the public to work?
The opportunity came during a conference, a meeting of anthropologists Mercosur (RAM) 2007. We attended a workshop coordinated by Sylvaine etnofotografia Conord (CNRS, University of Paris, Nanterre) and Luiz Eduardo Achutti with a presentation of a first edition of Kali Yuga. The presentation touched the teacher Conord and already at that moment was the invitation to participate in the selection for the event.

The reception was overwhelming. Between praise and criticism, our work was certainly the most debated of the symposium. It is clear that merit is not only our partners or our Eye Films , is also subject of our research - the sadhus - whose perception of the world is so unique and maverick - and so unfamiliar - which naturally generates debate.

Maharaj Amar Bharti samadhi, a state of non-duality. © etnofoco

Through his lens Tantric Hari Bharti takes a look at our contemporary era. © etnofoco

Who are the naga sadhus and aghoris?
The naga sadhus and yogis aghoris extremes that are always populated our imaginary Indies. Practitioners of traditional wisdom that the transgression is welcome, these descendants of the "crazy wisdom" of the legendary 84 mahasiddhas live in the body in order to transcend all duality: the pain, violence, intoxication and, ultimately, the death. His philosophy of life, sometimes called non-radical dualism, is relativistic, experiential and is always open to be reinvented, so we wanted to see how they update in our contemporary world.

Web of life. © etnofoco

What were the contributions of Etnofoco for the symposium, which brought together anthropologists, sociologists, artists and historians of the image in a reflection on the articulation of images and animated and hybridization of languages?
Other work has other merits, ours was to present a shared copyright and image production, whose learning process with the subject expressed in the editorial choices and changes in hybridization of languages. As we were getting to know our key partners, we were rethinking the way we represent them. Initially, we proposed a picture in black and white because the PB marries well with a reading of the symbolic world theirs, where the ashes are the central element. The hybridization of languages ​​was suggested that they do by reading the sacred in contemporary society: we live in Kali Yuga, the age of degradation, enhancement of the rhythms and senses. Thus, to better represent the multiplicity, and the sensitivity to the chaos that was spent for photography in color, with a fast pace of narration text and image, until a video clip about language. Then, inspired by the idea of darshan (something like learning through the vision of a sacred presence), ending up with an image editing without narration of Maharaja Amar Bharti, guru practicing austerity to keep the arm raised, who took the survey and actively participated in designing and editing the material. This edition was made ​​in order to use the picture in the same manner in which it was assimilated into the world of sadhus, as a darshan. Learn from them, so that the colorful and chaotic can also mirror the sacred and, as the body of the guru, the image evokes this presence.

The death of this auspicious guru, the "Night of Shiva", was photographed at the request of his brothers to keep alive the effectiveness of their presence. © etnofoco

Whereas the image-document is not possible and that it represents truth regimes - or how would you define Andre Rouille, "photography is faux foam" - as the issue today is crafted image in anthropology?
As we have no space here to discuss the state of the art of debate, let's just leave a trail of how we deal with the issue. Anthropology has long since abandoned a priori notion of real or privilege of the observer / researcher access it or express it. We seek to inspire us with notions of real and visuality of the subjects represented and produce trying to express these notions in language imagery, text and sound. Working on the possibility of affecting the public at the prospect of the group that we are researching. Fortunately for us, both the idea and reality of visuality are prominent and very rich in Hinduism. The image and the sensory world - and even performance - have a central place among Hindu ascetics. The appearance expresses a fact, even if relative. And the image is not seen as a representation only, it is effective surfactant. For example, it is believed that the image of an entity empowered - is the guru, the Ganges or a mental visualization of a mandala - can directly transform the perception of reality of the accesses. We try to provide tools that notion in our research.

Kitcheri Baba Aghori sadhus to eat ritually polluting substances considered by Hindu orthodoxy: in this case, human flesh. © etnofoco

Sadhus in Kali Yuga: Amar Bharti Maharaj and his disciples are "dedetizados" during the Kumbha Mela festival. © etnofoco

When and why they decided to form the Etnofoco?
Etnofoco informally born ten years ago when we did our first immersion of one year in Asia with sadhus and other human subjects. We discovered the pleasure of working in partnership and a common dream: to produce imaging research with an awareness of the greatest number of people to the breadth of human experience, in all possible means and media. The image production enriches anthropological research in many aspects, but perhaps most important for the partnership Etnofoco is your ability to drive the enchantment of anthropology intercultural dialogue to a wider audience than the academic. Moreover, the production of images is also enriched and deepened by the use of methods and anthropological insights.

The guru's feet are the beacon that leads the disciple from darkness into light. © etnofoco

Maharaj Amar Bharti in a moment of intimacy. © etnofoco

How does the process work for you?
All production stages are traveled together - the fieldwork for photo editing and video, from conception to completion of the material, which can be a film, an exhibition or a text with photographs. Each one contributes more to their area of expertise, Olivier with the still image and image editing, Lena with anthropological research, image editing, production of 'roadmap' and video. But we also experience often and with pleasure, the other's place in the process. As the partnership is our motto, we also have the valuable contribution of the Eye in the production of short films. We are now actively seeking other partners - artistic and financial - for the production of the film.

Olivier, Maharaja Amar Bharti and Lena in the shelter of the guru. © Amit Dhiman

How to give Etnofoco immersion in the community that will document?
Most jobs demand that we produce long-continued immersion. We must recognize that humans and their imaginary worlds are complex, as is the delicate task of trying to understand them, much less represent them. Therefore, as far as possible, we observe the rate at which the intimacy happens, and establishing gift. We believe it is possible throughout the research process and production of images, building friendships and learning. To do so, we must open our home, our intimacy and our hearts as we hope that our respondents do to us, besides, of course, include those most involved in the process of production and profits symbolic and real work.

By Julia Salustiano | f/508