Film for Education: Visual Anthropology

At Creatosphere, we aim to deliver practical tools to youth workers and youth leaders to aid them to craft compelling training courses and educational materials.

In our quest to enhance youth education, we came across a have a powerful tool to aid us in the development of our trainings and approach when it comes to working with youth. The concept of visual anthropology has existed for decades, but it’s gaining popularity recently.. Let’s dive deeper into this approach and see how it can benefit our working methods.

Understanding Visual Anthropology

Anthropology is the systematic study of humanity, with the goal of understanding our evolutionary origins, our distinctiveness as a species, and the great diversity in our forms of social existence across the world and through time. Visual anthropology, on the other hand, is the art of learning about humanity through observation and representation. It involves looking at the world and ourselves differently. It’s like a visual storybook that can captivate young learners.

So, how can we support young learners to incorporate the method of visual anthropology to help them understand the world better?

Interviewing those around us

Knowing our roots and those of our environment is crucial for understanding where our position is. As an exercise, it might be helpful to support young people to ask more questions and document their experiences – whether it’s a school subject they want to gather information on, or it’s their family legacy that they want to document – visual anthropology serves as a guide to our understanding.

Eduardo Coutinho, a renowned figure in this field, teaches us to keep things casual. Encourage open conversations and comfortable interactions, rather than formal interviews. This relaxed atmosphere promotes genuine sharing.

Acknowledging Limits

While powerful, vision has limitations. We only see what’s in front of us, and our interpretations depend on our experiences. Our eyes get tired, and we often overlook the familiar. These limitations remind us to remain vigilant. Teach young people to notice what others don’t – by encouraging their sense of vision, we can help them explore the world.

Tell Stories through objects

Objects are like silent storytellers. Encourage young learners to select items that represent their identity, hold cherished memories, or symbolize their dreams. These objects can become their personal narratives. Have them pick three objects to start with, and take pictures of each of them separately, and then together. See what stories come out of this exercise!

Identifying Patterns and Narratives

Arrange these objects on a table and take a photo. Then, look for patterns, such as colors or materials, and discuss the stories behind each item. This exercise reveals connections and narratives that might have gone unnoticed.

Exploring Through Old Photos

Old family photos provide a window into the past. Ask young learners to compare them with current pictures. What has changed? What remains the same? What do these photos say about the people portrayed in them? Is it an accurate representation of reality?

These photos can unveil family histories and societal shifts.

In conclusion

Visual anthropology is a valuable educational tool for fostering observation, self-discovery, and storytelling. By incorporating this approach, we empower young learners to connect with the world and understand their own narratives. It’s a professional and practical way to engage, educate, and inspire the youth we work with.