1/5
1/5
In The World But Not Of It
In The World But Not Of It
November 1, 2023
© Tim Smith
Tim Smith’s exhibition ‘In the World But Not Of It’ opens at the Freelens Gallery in Hamburg on 2 November, 2023, with an evening reception starting at 7 p.m. The showcase will be on display until 12 January, 2024.
In this powerful documentary series, the Canadian photographer takes viewers into the hermetic world of the Hutterites – an ethnoreligious community whose roots trace back to Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. In the 16th century, the Hutterites left Europe to escape persecution, and became settlers in North America. Today, some 45,000 members of the Anabaptist Christian group – named after its founder, Jakob Hutter – are living in numerous communal colonies in Canada and the US. Protected by their constitutional right to religious freedom, they are left in peace to lead devout and simple lives outside of secular society.
As well as practicing the early Christian principle of shared possessions, members adhere to a traditional dress code, and have neither internet nor TVs. Unlike the Amish, however, who reject all modern technology, many Hutterites are utilising high-tech agricultural equipment to ensure their colony’s prosperity and wealth.
A chance encounter in 2009 marked the beginning of a close relationship between the photographer and the Hutterite community. This long-term connection has given rise to unique, intimate portrait of a society that has to balance its rigid dedication to tradition with the increasing need to adapt and network with the outside world.
In this powerful documentary series, the Canadian photographer takes viewers into the hermetic world of the Hutterites – an ethnoreligious community whose roots trace back to Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands. In the 16th century, the Hutterites left Europe to escape persecution, and became settlers in North America. Today, some 45,000 members of the Anabaptist Christian group – named after its founder, Jakob Hutter – are living in numerous communal colonies in Canada and the US. Protected by their constitutional right to religious freedom, they are left in peace to lead devout and simple lives outside of secular society.
As well as practicing the early Christian principle of shared possessions, members adhere to a traditional dress code, and have neither internet nor TVs. Unlike the Amish, however, who reject all modern technology, many Hutterites are utilising high-tech agricultural equipment to ensure their colony’s prosperity and wealth.
A chance encounter in 2009 marked the beginning of a close relationship between the photographer and the Hutterite community. This long-term connection has given rise to unique, intimate portrait of a society that has to balance its rigid dedication to tradition with the increasing need to adapt and network with the outside world.
© Tim Smith
© Tim Smith
© Tim Smith
© Tim Smith
© Tim Smith