Sculpting the Spirits

Noe Mendelle

doi:10.2218/ED.9781836450610

Sculpting the Spirits

Noe Mendelle

Edinburgh College of Art

Research output: Non-textual form › Digital or Visual Products

Abstract

This is part 1 of a 4 x 55' documentary series about the magical world of the Bijagós people whose close relationship with spirits and nature informs their daily life and every decision taken by the community.

Their belief that man, nature and spirits are equal and interdependent
makes the Bijagós a lost paradise. It is through sculpture that the intricate relationship of the Bijagós with nature and spirits is best expressed.

Banca, a famous sculptor of Iras (spirits), feeling tired, old and worried for the future of a culture in profound transformation, does his last sculpture instructing his son in the hope he will take over.

Guided by their own voices, this episode “ Sculpting the Spirits” is a journey exploring how women embody spirits while men sculpt or perform them.

Original language	Other
Place of Publication	Gulbenkian museum
Media of output	Film
Size	55'
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2218/ED.9781836450610
Publication status	Published - 15 Sept 2014

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

spirits
matrilineal society
rituals
visual anthropology
documentary
Bijagos
Guinea-Bissau

Access to Document

10.2218/ED.9781836450610Licence: Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY)

Cite this

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title = "Sculpting the Spirits",

abstract = "This is part 1 of a 4 x 55' documentary series about the magical world of the Bijag{\'o}s people whose close relationship with spirits and nature informs their daily life and every decision taken by the community. Their belief that man, nature and spirits are equal and interdependentmakes the Bijag{\'o}s a lost paradise. It is through sculpture that the intricate relationship of the Bijag{\'o}s with nature and spirits is best expressed.Banca, a famous sculptor of Iras (spirits), feeling tired, old and worried for the future of a culture in profound transformation, does his last sculpture instructing his son in the hope he will take over. Guided by their own voices, this episode “ Sculpting the Spirits” is a journey exploring how women embody spirits while men sculpt or perform them. ",

keywords = "spirits, matrilineal society, rituals, visual anthropology, documentary, Bijagos, Guinea-Bissau",

author = "Noe Mendelle",

note = "Broadcast on RTP 2 & Africa (Portuguese TV for Africa) Main festivals: Screening in Lisbon – Gulbenkian museum 15 September 2014 IDFA Doc for sales – November 2014 Hot Docs market – April 2015 Screening in Bissau – Portuguese cultural centre 21 April 2015 Screening in Lisbon – AfrikaPlay exhibition 25 April 2015 Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival- 30 April 2015 – international competition RAI (UK) 16 June 2015 – Nominated for Basil Wright Award Parnu International Film Festival (Estonia) 11 July 2015 award for Best Film Indian Cine Film Festival (Mumbai) – 19 Sept 2015 - international competition Kratovo Ethnographic Film Festival -Kratovo, Republic of Macedonia from 2rd to 4th October 2015. Culture unplugged International Film Festival ",

year = "2014",

month = sep,

day = "15",

doi = "10.2218/ED.9781836450610",

language = "Other",

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N2 - This is part 1 of a 4 x 55' documentary series about the magical world of the Bijagós people whose close relationship with spirits and nature informs their daily life and every decision taken by the community. Their belief that man, nature and spirits are equal and interdependentmakes the Bijagós a lost paradise. It is through sculpture that the intricate relationship of the Bijagós with nature and spirits is best expressed.Banca, a famous sculptor of Iras (spirits), feeling tired, old and worried for the future of a culture in profound transformation, does his last sculpture instructing his son in the hope he will take over. Guided by their own voices, this episode “ Sculpting the Spirits” is a journey exploring how women embody spirits while men sculpt or perform them.

AB - This is part 1 of a 4 x 55' documentary series about the magical world of the Bijagós people whose close relationship with spirits and nature informs their daily life and every decision taken by the community. Their belief that man, nature and spirits are equal and interdependentmakes the Bijagós a lost paradise. It is through sculpture that the intricate relationship of the Bijagós with nature and spirits is best expressed.Banca, a famous sculptor of Iras (spirits), feeling tired, old and worried for the future of a culture in profound transformation, does his last sculpture instructing his son in the hope he will take over. Guided by their own voices, this episode “ Sculpting the Spirits” is a journey exploring how women embody spirits while men sculpt or perform them.

KW - spirits

KW - matrilineal society

KW - rituals

KW - visual anthropology

KW - documentary

KW - Bijagos

KW - Guinea-Bissau

UR - http://www.dw.de/tradi%C3%A7%C3%B5es-e-biodiversidade-de-bijag%C3%B3s-retratadas-em-s%C3%A9rie/a-17924058

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DO - 10.2218/ED.9781836450610

M3 - Digital or Visual Products

CY - Gulbenkian museum

ER -

Sculpting the Spirits

Abstract

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

Access to Document

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