I was recently invited to The Global Eclipse Festival in Oregon, to document the build and use of The Fringe Theater by Minerva Co. and Skullisland Co.

I first met Marcus Guilard when applying to an art residency he and his company, One Hat One Hand created in San Francisco.

We bonded over shared vision of art and community. Marcus is a builder with large and small structures in the Bay and beyond standing testement to his creative vision, but more then that he is a builder of community.

“Really I just want to bring my friends together to make art.” Answered Marcus when I asked him about his motives.

I have traveled the world for years looking for what it is that unites us all. A desire to create and share are part of a human make up shared the world over. I have seen many people held back by real and imagined obstacles. When somone so fearlessly and boldly pursues thier vision its magnetic, we are drawn to such sources of expression, a light, a guide for us to create and share.

I feel honored to have my talents recognized and supported by such a visionary, I too hope to add to this great pool creativity.

Here are some of my stills from my time at the Global Eclipse Gathering:

From Left to Right: Garrett Daniels, Jacob Mooney, Marcus Guillard, Walker Babington.

Take a break from the construction of the Fringe Theater.

Jessy Roadkill of Skullisland Co. exits through the nostril of one of her creations.

Rachel Shearer placing the eyes of the beast.

The festival was split into two parts, half of the grounds were zoned for the headonistic qualities of a festival, with large stages running 24 hours a day, candy for the senses, folks playing in cosutme and with each other and substances to alter and expand perception. There were classes and workshops on a wide range of topics from permaculture to robotics.

The other half of the festival was dedicated to One Nation Camp, where indigenous elders from around the world gathered to share their traditions and practices for the Eclipse.

I met Chief Black Fox of the Lakota people very early on as I went over to their camp to simply pay my respects, to bring an offering and thank them for their presences and apologize for the the wrongs of my ancestors toward his ancestors a practice introduced to me by a friend that I find healing.

I offered my services when available to their camp and for that was invited to film and photograph specific ceremonies. I was invited into the Eclipse ceremony at the main ceremony site on the day of the eclipse. It started at 6am as we sang and danced our way to the moment of total alignment. I felt torn during this process, wanting to be fully present for this profound moment but also feeling honored and obligated to document for One Nation Camp. I watched as many festival goers hungrily snapped photos and filmed the ceremonies as well, I was envious of their freedom to do so and felt the weight of my agreement. I felt defensive of it and the intention and history, even if short lived, I saw it as parallel to the agreement white men have had with indigenous populations of North America for many generations. Keeping them as long as its profitable. Using the images of them to sell, a brand. I gently explained to a girl in a leather bikini feverishly snapping shots and moving around the crowd to do so, capturing image after image of the Aztec Dancers who were in the midst of a thousand plus year practice that their people had held. Even I who was invited in such a capacity felt uneasy about my role and presence. “If you are going to “take” from this ceremony its important that you make sure the people offering and officiating this are allowed to tell their story first. There is a media truck in the One Nation camp where all media that is captured here is to be delivered.” Out of the thousands of people who were in attendance hundreds were freezing the moment for themselves to tell others later. I too was one of then, and I felt torn. Below are some of those images that first and foremost belong to the individuals that are in the photos and to their ancestors and story. I do not pretend to know the significance of their ceremonies or of their attire. I appreciate and respect their devotion and continued practice of their traditions and I invite you all to look into your own history at your own ancestors to understand where you come from and how you can connect to the planet and the cosmos. This is how some people do just that.