POPULAR CULTURAL PRODUCTION AND POLITICAL ACTION

The main objective of this book is to analyze the use
of video and its social function among the Indian
tribes in Brazil, and to understand the significance
of the videos for non-Indian audiences. To achieve
this understanding it was necessary, first, to look
at the specific set of practices by means of which
symbolic forms are created, circulated and
appropriated inside the Indian villages. Second, it
was necessary to work among non-Indian people, in
different social classes, in order to understand what
kind of meaning arises in the audience when they
watch the videos. As new technologies of
communication play a key role in this process, this
thesis also contextualizes 'alternative' media work,
specially video work done by popular groups in Brazil
and other countries. It is argued here, that video is
a useful tool in the struggle for survival,
ethnically and physically. In this sense, this thesis
works with the hypothesis that the Indians show a
positive self-presentation throughout the videos that
helps to gain support from the new social movements
in Brazil.

Autorentext
Silas de Paula is a Senior Lecturer at the Art and Culture Institute, ICA (Federal University, of Ceara - Brazil). His works focus on Visual Culture and Photography.

Klappentext
The main objective of this book is to analyze the use of video and its social function among the Indian tribes in Brazil, and to understand the significance of the videos for non-Indian audiences. To achieve this understanding it was necessary, first, to look at the specific set of practices by means of which symbolic forms are created, circulated and appropriated inside the Indian villages. Second, it was necessary to work among non-Indian people, in different social classes, in order to understand what kind of meaning arises in the audience when they watch the videos. As new technologies of communication play a key role in this process, this thesis also contextualizes 'alternative' media work, specially video work done by popular groups in Brazil and other countries. It is argued here, that video is a useful tool in the struggle for survival, ethnically and physically. In this sense, this thesis works with the hypothesis that the Indians show a positive self-presentation throughout the videos that helps to gain support from the new social movements in Brazil.