Amish people are best known for their simple living, plain dress and resistance to the adoption of many modern conveniences. A story is about their spirituality and its effect on their way of life. A question I hope to find an insightful answer to is that how the Amish views modern life (the rest of most Americans live) that is facilitated by modern conveniences.
Multimedia allows better story telling. First, photography enables me for visual representation of what their life is like. Second, I am able to create a sense of presence – of actually being there – by creating a layer of ambient sounds. Third, a combination of images and ambient sounds provides a context to reflections of interviewees. Through interviews, I hope to gain insights into their views on modern life.
According to Adam Brooke (http://missourifolkloresocity.truman.edu/Amish.htm), Missouri’s Amish population has been among the fastest-growing nationwide. There are an estimated 5000 Amish in Missouri, with the largest settlements at Jamesport and others at Clark, Stanberry and Seymour. Although the Amish have been in the state since 1850 or earlier, the oldest existing settlement is Bowling Green with smaller groups near Mt. Vernon, Kirksville and Windsor, and new settlements appearing periodically.
Once embarking on the project, I hope to spend enough time with them for getting as comprehensible details as possible. Most of the Amish settlements are 3~4 hours away (by car) from Columbia. I select the settlement at Clark because its location is 30 minutes away.
A potential problem in this project is their refusal to cooperating. Nevertheless, I believe in the possibility of soliciting their understanding and ensuing cooperation through nonconfrontational approach.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment