INTRODUCTION
Sanfona/Symphony is a cultural-philanthropic initiative intended to be an emergent body of cultural dialogue, financial support, and political galvanization designed to grow in relevance over time with international participation. Guided by artists Julien Bismuth and Corazon del Sol, who both previously and independently produced bodies of video work in Brazil examining the intimate polarities of human rights and state power (Brazil’s Indigenous peoples and Brazil’s evangelical churches respectively), the project is facilitated through the architecture of an ever-growing infinite-scroll webpage recording weekly participation by cultural contributors. Each week there will be an entry by one of the artists.
The Indigenous peoples of Brazil, some that have been protected from any contact with industrialized society, are being rapidly and systematically exterminated. Bolsonaro’s government is the crass enabler of this contemporary extinction and exploitation, but his administration is simply the visible figurehead of a global consumer-industrial complex that has been long cynical to the loss of the world’s ancient nature societies—the rich heirs to our indivisible humanity, wisdom, and culture.
At the still-to-be determined finish of Sanfona/Symphony (Sanfona is a regional Brazilian accordion, reflecting the expanding layered design of the project), the accumulated compilation of dialogue, images, and participants (cultural, scientific, and philanthropic) will be published as an accordian style book to document the initiative and commemorate all its contributors.
Sanfona/Symphony is a cultural-philanthropic initiative intended to be an emergent body of cultural dialogue, financial support, and political galvanization designed to grow in relevance over time with international participation. Guided by artists Julien Bismuth and Corazon del Sol, who both previously and independently produced bodies of video work in Brazil examining the intimate polarities of human rights and state power (Brazil’s Indigenous peoples and Brazil’s evangelical churches respectively), the project is facilitated through the architecture of an ever-growing infinite-scroll webpage recording weekly participation by cultural contributors. Each week there will be an entry by one of the artists.
The Indigenous peoples of Brazil, some that have been protected from any contact with industrialized society, are being rapidly and systematically exterminated. Bolsonaro’s government is the crass enabler of this contemporary extinction and exploitation, but his administration is simply the visible figurehead of a global consumer-industrial complex that has been long cynical to the loss of the world’s ancient nature societies—the rich heirs to our indivisible humanity, wisdom, and culture.
At the still-to-be determined finish of Sanfona/Symphony (Sanfona is a regional Brazilian accordion, reflecting the expanding layered design of the project), the accumulated compilation of dialogue, images, and participants (cultural, scientific, and philanthropic) will be published as an accordian style book to document the initiative and commemorate all its contributors.
BIOGRAPHIES
JULIEN BISMUTH (1973, France) is an artist and writer who lives and works in New York. His practice is located at the intersection between visual art and literature. Bismuth’s work ranges from performance, video and photography, to sculpture and drawing. Bismuth is also co-founder of Devonian Press along with Jean-Pascal Flavien. In recent years, he has engaged in a series of collaborative projects in Brazil with Indigenous groups and the researchers that work alongside them.
CORAZON DEL SOL (1973, United States) is an informally taught artist based in Los Angeles. Her practice is rooted in collective exploration of questions through conversation, movement, video, sculpture, etc. Lately she is most interested in connectivity's ability to dislodge addiction to power that traumas engender.
JULIEN BISMUTH (1973, France) is an artist and writer who lives and works in New York. His practice is located at the intersection between visual art and literature. Bismuth’s work ranges from performance, video and photography, to sculpture and drawing. Bismuth is also co-founder of Devonian Press along with Jean-Pascal Flavien. In recent years, he has engaged in a series of collaborative projects in Brazil with Indigenous groups and the researchers that work alongside them.
CORAZON DEL SOL (1973, United States) is an informally taught artist based in Los Angeles. Her practice is rooted in collective exploration of questions through conversation, movement, video, sculpture, etc. Lately she is most interested in connectivity's ability to dislodge addiction to power that traumas engender.
DONATION INFORMATION
Before launching this project, we did extensive research on the best organizations to work with in Brazil. APIB and ISA are the most respected and effective organizations working specifically to defend Indigenous groups today in Brazil. ISA or Instituto Socioambiental works to defend indigenous cultures and the environment in three specific regions of Brazil. APIB or Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil is an indigenous-run organization that works with Indigenous groups throughout Brazil. APIB will receive all donations that do not require tax deduction paperwork, while ISA will receive larger donations that require a tax receipt.
APIB (Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil) created during the 2005 Terra Livre Camp (ATL), the national mobilization that takes place every year, starting in 2004, to increase awareness over the situation of Indigenous rights and claim from the Brazilian Government the fulfillment of its demands. The following regional Indigenous organizations are part of APIB: Articulation of Indigenous Peoples in the Northeast, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo (APOINME), Council of the Terena People, Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of the Southeast (ARPINSUDESTE), Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of the South (ARPINSUL), Great Assembly of the Guarani People (ATY GUASU), Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB) and Guarani Yvyrupa Commission.
To donate swiftly:
{{APIB’s donation page}}
If you require a tax-receipt for a larger donation:
{{please contact us here}}
Before launching this project, we did extensive research on the best organizations to work with in Brazil. APIB and ISA are the most respected and effective organizations working specifically to defend Indigenous groups today in Brazil. ISA or Instituto Socioambiental works to defend indigenous cultures and the environment in three specific regions of Brazil. APIB or Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil is an indigenous-run organization that works with Indigenous groups throughout Brazil. APIB will receive all donations that do not require tax deduction paperwork, while ISA will receive larger donations that require a tax receipt.
APIB (Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil) created during the 2005 Terra Livre Camp (ATL), the national mobilization that takes place every year, starting in 2004, to increase awareness over the situation of Indigenous rights and claim from the Brazilian Government the fulfillment of its demands. The following regional Indigenous organizations are part of APIB: Articulation of Indigenous Peoples in the Northeast, Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo (APOINME), Council of the Terena People, Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of the Southeast (ARPINSUDESTE), Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of the South (ARPINSUL), Great Assembly of the Guarani People (ATY GUASU), Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB) and Guarani Yvyrupa Commission.
To donate swiftly:
{{APIB’s donation page}}
If you require a tax-receipt for a larger donation:
{{please contact us here}}
___________