Human Currents The World's Largest Pilgrimage
as Interpreted by Hannes Schmid
as Interpreted by Hannes Schmid
July 22, 2011 - November 13, 2011
From January to February 2001, tens of millions of pilgrims assembled in Allahabad, North India for the month-long Maha Kumbh Mela festival, held only once every one hundred forty-four years. This, the largest gathering of human beings on earth—so big, in fact, that the crowd was visible from space—was composed of devotees of all ages, castes, and classes from every corner of India. Photographer Hannes Schmid was there as these pilgrims gathered by the banks of the sacred Ganges River, capturing this massive act of faith on film, both still and moving. Schmid’s large, color photographs and aerial-angled movie bring to life the claustrophobic crowds, myriad colors, and energy of this greatest of Hindu pilgrimages.
Curated by Becky Bloom and Beth Citron
Human Currents is supported, in part, by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia
To learn even more about Human Currents, read the press release
Open to the Public
Human Currents is located in our Theater Level Gallery, below the Café@RMA in the colonnade. Admission to the Theater Level Gallery is free of charge, at all times.
Human Currents: Related Talks and Films
A Wednesday evening conversation series exploring the nature of faith and pilgrimage between two people from different walks of life, differing spiritual experiences. Speakers include: Gloria Steinem, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Andrew Cohen, Howard Bloom, and many more. Learn More
Download Podcasts from iTunes U
Short documentary films of pilgrimages and sacred destinations followed by active discussion sessions. Learn More
Feature films in which pilgrimage forms a central theme: the 1964 Becket, Bunuel's The Milky Way, Travellers and Magicians, Pasolini's Canterbury Tales, Ferroukhi's Le Grande Voyage, the 1946 Razor's Edge. Learn More
Exhibition Resources
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Installation Photographs
