Regine June 13, 2008 art in Madrid, PHE08, photography

Heart of Gold – Visits to the Mennonite communities in America

Hola! I’m in Madrid stuffing myself with the sublime tortilla de patatas and checking out the projects developed this month at Medialab Prado as part of the now illustrious Interactivos? workshop. The theme of this edition is Vision Play, the public presentation is tomorrow June 14 at 6.30 pm and it’s going to be extremely good.

Meanwhile the Photo Espana Festival is all over the city. Here’s just an appetizer from one of the many exhibitions i’ve seen today:

Words, 2008

Heart of Gold, Félix Curto’s solo show at La Fábrica Galería, takes its title from a song by Neil Young. It features ten photographs taken by the Spanish artist while he was visiting the Mennonite communities in America.

After the Goldrush, 2008

Dreamin´man, 2008

From the press release:
The Mennonite communities in America work the land and lead simple lives, with no cars, electricity or any other modern conveniences. All of this is an expression of their understanding of the Christian faith, and they guard their privacy extremely jealously, totally isolated from the outside world. Currently, there are Mennonite communities in 82 countries, with over a million and a half members. The members of this community are, as the artist says, “good people, united by a strong spirituality that is never mentioned and yet is perceived at all times. Life in the community turns mutual respect and assistance into something that is completely normal, routine. They are reserved men and women, but if they empathise with you they will open their hearts to you.” The atmosphere in the Mennonite communities, not unlike that of a Western film, is pervaded by the philosophy of non-violence.

Curto has something of a traditionalist himself. He keeps using the Nikkon 801 AF, 35 milimeters his mother gave him almost 20 years ago. He doesn’t use a tripod, nor does he require the help of an assistant. He takes only one picture in each situation. Using a digital camera would therefore make no sense to him.

Heart of Gold, 2008

Hear of Gold runs until July 19 at La Fábrica Galería in Madrid.

6Comments

Add yours

1

Erika Lincoln on June 14, 2008 at 1:33 am

I am sorry but the statements that have been made are sooooo wrong. First lets get rid of the Neil Young reference, he is not a Menno, He is from my home town but not a part of the Menno community.
Next point Mennonite’s do not REAPEAT do not resist electricity or mechanical tools, the press release that you have posted is incorrect. Some Mennonite’s do live in communal groups but they are one of the most techonolgically sound groups of farmers in North America. I think the problem with is post is than there is a confusion with the Amish, the Hudderites and the Mennonites.
You and others may have been had.
Do not forget one of the images is of a farmer on a tractor, that is technology.
P.S if you would like more info on this are a please drop me a line.
2
Kevin Hamilton on June 14, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Hi Regine – one of your Mennonite-inclined readers checking in here. Just to be clear, the Mennonites referred to in Curto’s photos comprise a small, recognized and respected portion of the Mennonite church as a whole. But the majority of Mennonites (and there are are far more outside the Americas than within) don’t live as separately as these do. They try to live just as intentionally in relation to technology, consumption, and the state, but Mennonites don’t typically do so by withdrawing wholly, as have the communities in Curto’s images. Mennonites work in technology, media, business, education, medicine, and everything else. They do, as a rule, emphasize service, pacifism, and simplicity.
3

regine on June 14, 2008 at 2:57 pm

Hi Kevin and Erika,
thanks for the precisions and details you brought on the subject. i must admit that i didn’t check the facts as thoroughly as i might have done. i trusted the press release and the several articles i read about the exhibition. it nevertheless makes me realize how little i knew about the community.
oh! did my article imply in any way that Neil Young was a Mnemonite? he just happened to have that song which apparently inspired the title of a photo exhibition. nothing more than that. peace on everyone!
now i’d better check those links you kindly sent!
4

Erika Lincoln on June 17, 2008 at 3:20 pm

Hi Regine,
Reading your post again there was no implication that Neil is a Mennonite. I read what I wanted to read.
Peace
Erika
5

Waco Moriarty on July 3, 2008 at 12:26 am

Hi Lincoln, Hamilton and …Regine
Peace.For arts sakes! What’s the fuss? I was just con-templating those fabulous, great & great pictures and… I’m just raring to visit that Madrid place.
Yes, yes peace
Moriarty
6

Anna Bergen on September 28, 2008 at 6:31 am

First, let me start by saying that I understand that there are many different Mennonite groups all over the world, of many different degrees of separation from the outside world… so on and so forth.
But having lived in one of these communities, I would like to say that the sweeping perception that these people are all “good people, united by a strong spirituality that is never mentioned and yet is perceived at all times.” and that “Life in the community turns mutual respect and assistance into something that is completely normal, routine” is ….. well, believe me, these people are JUST PEOPLE! The same, ill willed, betraying, lying, cheating, murdering kind of people as anywhere else. No, not all of them – but the same percent as anywhere else. The only difference is that when you’re born into one of those communities, for the majority, you’re raised to believe that you’ll be condemned if you leave.
Believe me, there’s nothing special about them.

·Comments are closed.

Share this: