Fieldwork & Research
A Journey Through Collaborative Storytelling
My approach to fieldwork and research is deeply rooted in creative and collaborative methods, using participatory filmmaking, storytelling, and co-designed rituals to build meaningful relationships and co-produce knowledge. This journey has taken me through diverse cultural landscapes, where I have explored indigenous issues, gender, material culture, migration, and the experiences of ethnic and religious minorities.
My work seeks to blend anthropology with artistic expression, creating spaces where stories and identities can emerge and be shared. Through collaborative filmmaking, storytelling, and co-creation, I hope to continue illuminating the rich and often untold narratives of diverse communities around the world.
Stories from the Brazilian Amazon: The Huni Kuin Community
PhD research with the Huni Kuin, resulting in a film and storytelling series across Europe.
For my PhD research, I had the privilege of conducting fieldwork with the Huni Kuin indigenous community in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. This experience culminated in a documentary film named “Yupumá”, and a series of storytelling performances with Kawá Huni Kuin, shared in Hantxa Kuin, Portuguese, and English across Europe in 2018 and 2019. Each performance was a celebration of language, culture, and the vibrant stories that connect the Huni Kuin community to their ancestral roots.
Rituals and Masculinity in Portugal’s Algarve Region
Ongoing fieldwork with filmmaker Helena Inverno on religious rituals and masculinity.
In an ongoing project with filmmaker Helena Inverno, I’ve been exploring the intricate religious rituals and expressions of masculinity in Portugal’s Algarve region since 2013. This decade-long journey has evolved into a video art exhibition, with a documentary capturing the essence of these practices due for release in 2021. Our work offers a unique window into the cultural fabric of Portugal’s southern coast.
Performance as Community: Atlas and the Power of Collective Art
Collaboration with Portuguese performance artists Ana Borralho and João Galante, capturing communal art experiences.
My collaboration with Helena Inverno on the performance piece Atlas, directed by Portuguese artists Ana Borralho and João Galante, was a profound exploration into the power of art to unite diverse audiences. Through fieldwork in Lisbon and Helsinki, we documented the journey of over 100 everyday people who took the stage, bringing their personal stories into a shared space of performance and expression.
Perspectives on Health and Cancer Awareness in Alentejo
Research into local perspectives on breast cancer, producing an impactful documentary broadcasted annually.
Inspired by the rising breast cancer rates in Alentejo, Portugal, I joined forces with Helena Inverno to conduct a research-based exploration into the perceptions surrounding breast cancer in the region. The result was a powerful documentary that sheds light on the experiences of men and women affected by the disease, and the film has become a staple in Portuguese broadcasts, sparking dialogue around health and awareness.
Life Behind Bars: Art and Transformation in Portugal’s Prisons
Fieldwork on performance art within a men’s prison, awarded Best Feature-Length Portuguese Film at IndieLisboa.
In northern Portugal, I conducted fieldwork with Helena Inverno in a men’s prison, where we explored the intersection of incarceration and performance art. This collaboration resulted in a documentary film that was awarded Best Feature-Length Portuguese Film at the IndieLisboa Festival in 2012. Our work aims to humanize the voices and experiences within prison walls, challenging societal perceptions through art and empathy.
Migration Narratives: Northern Europeans Finding Home in Portugal
Exploration of Northern European migration to Portugal, examining identity and belonging.
I have also investigated the complexities surrounding Northern European migration to Portugal. My research and fieldwork captured the stories of individuals seeking belonging and connection, culminating in a documentary that invites audiences to understand migration through a more intimate lens.
Armenian Identity in Iran: Heritage and Resilience
Research in Iran on Armenian identity, resulting in a film and London art exhibition.
Together with filmmaker Abdollah Guivian, I explored what it means to be Armenian in Iran, conducting fieldwork in 2004 and 2006. This journey culminated in a film and a contemporary art exhibition in London, where Armenian identity was celebrated and examined, illuminating the resilience and beauty within a complex cultural tapestry.
