Fifteenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

Beginning with a chance encounter, Tim Smith has been documenting and building relationships with Hutterite communities in North America over the past fifteen years. An Anabaptist group whose roots trace back to Tyrol, Austria in the wake of the 16th century Radical Reformation, Hutterites live communally on colonies throughout western Canada and the north-western United States. Their culture continues to be preserved through deliberate separation from mainstream society and economic self- sufficiency. The Hutterites are currently in the midst of one of the most successful periods of their approximately 500 year history. Facing no overt threats from the outside world they have prospered, and their population has grown to approximately 50,000. Members are provided for throughout their entire lives and on the whole experience less of the loneliness and isolation prevalent in the modern world. The importance given to engagement in family life, social life and spirituality, and the defined purpose for their lives means Hutterite communities meet many of the requirements to be considered Blue Zones; areas where health, happiness and life expectancy rates are higher than average. Smith uses photography to document the breadth and complexity of the Hutterite experience as well as to show how colonies navigate the need to respond to the external pressures of the world around them while holding on to key traditions central to their faith. His ongoing project is the most in-depth visual documentation of Hutterite culture ever produced.