Círculo Collective is a photography group dedicated to fostering unity and shared humanity during these challenging times. This exclusive collective brings together photographers from five countries: India, Tanzania, Iran, Brazil, and Poland.
In a world increasingly defined by division and conflict, the mission of Círculo Collective holds profound significance. Through their work, they seek to remind us of the connections that bind us and the power of community in overcoming adversity.
We reached out to them with a few questions to gain deeper insights into their project.
All About Photo: Can you give a little background about yourself and how you got started in photography?
Collective: Our mission statement gives an accurate description of each one of us as a photographer and why we do it. Our mission is to create a global community of photographers united by our passion for visual storytelling and cultural exchange. Through our diverse backgrounds spanning Africa, the Middle East, South America, Asia, and Eastern Europe, we aim to leverage our collective networks and expertise to promote, exhibit, and collaborate on projects that tell everyday stories of human life. Our combined experiences and perspectives offer a unique lens through which to explore, assimilate, and understand the world around us. In a world that is marked by division and discord nowadays, we believe in the power of photography to bridge these divides and celebrate our shared humanity. By coming together as a collective, we demonstrate the strength of diversity and the transformative potential of collaboration. We are united in our differences, using our art to illuminate the universal truths that connect us all.
While studying photography in two different countries - France and Italy, and learning about the history of photography, I realized that there were not many, if any, photographers showcased in Western studies from other lesser parts of the world. I saw stories of mostly Northern America and Western Europe and wanted to add even more richness from different parts of the world. I wanted to bring together a group of photographers from countries whose work goes unnoticed. Each photographer represents a region to tell stories of their part of humanity that transcends borders while still maintaining their cultural importance. So, in 2023, I had the idea of starting a collective with five photographers who are willing to come together for a single goal of togetherness. I did not want to create stories of picking any side on any political spectrum but which are fundamental to each one of us regardless of where we are. I contacted each of these photographers whom I have never met, and, thankfully, they all said yes to be part of it and I could not be happier and honoured to share stories with these incredibly talented people.
With members spanning five different countries and regions, how do your diverse cultural backgrounds influence the stories you choose to tell through your photography?
Natalia Poniatowska: Even though we come from different cultural backgrounds, our common language which is visual image feels very similar. The medium connects us and our points of view. In our projects, we show the culture that surrounds us but we are not focusing on a place, but more on the moments and feelings that’s why it is general. It’s well presented in our project Walls, where when mixing photographs it would be difficult to match them with a country and author. And that’s the beauty of the collective!
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How does the collective collaborate across borders and time zones? Can you share an example of a project where your combined expertise brought a unique perspective?
Natalia Poniatowska: We don’t feel the distance and time difference between us, I thought it would influence our communication, but we are doing great with meeting online, even if for some it’s late evening and for others, it’s a morning :) And different seasons, sometimes our temperature difference is around 30 degrees. Our first project will show well our unique common perspective coming from individuals.
In a world often divided by conflict and misunderstanding, what role do you believe photography plays in bridging divides and promoting empathy?
Sara Goli: Navigating diverse cultural perspectives has enriched our understanding of photography and the world. While it can sometimes lead to misunderstandings, it has also allowed us to appreciate the beauty of different visual storytelling approaches. By embracing these challenges, we've grown as a more cohesive and adaptable collective. We've learned to appreciate the diversity of our members and the richness that it brings to our work.
Your mission mentions addressing global issues with empathy and insight. Can you share a specific topic or theme the collective has tackled and the message you aimed to convey?
Thiago Dos Reis: Our first approach and storytelling as a collective is based on the Walls Project through five visions. Our individuality in contrast to our global unification brings a very significant tone to the project. If walls separate, they can also reflect! And it is in this reflection that we are anchoring ourselves and connecting through our art.
@thiagodosreis
What are some challenges you've faced as a global collective, and how have these challenges shaped your growth and understanding as a group?
Thiago Dos Reis: Our expression through photography has the power to analyze our different shots without any need for a translator or dictionary. And it’s magical. So our challenge at first was to equalize our communication due to our different languages and mainly our time zones. There are five countries with completely different time zones, so our weekly calls are made at strategic times so everyone can participate without worry.
Despite this initial challenge, the group gelled very quickly. We are all very curious about each other's stories and with each new contact and exchange, we realize how interesting this time together is. We can break any barrier together!
Sara Goli:Like Thiago said, coordinating across various time zones becomes a hurdle sometimes. Scheduling meetings and collaborative projects can be complex, but it has taught us the importance of flexibility and respect for each other's time.
How has being part of the Círculo Collective enriched you personally and artistically? Have you discovered new ways of seeing or storytelling through your peers?
Fabian Palmer: Personally, the collective has inspired me to believe in myself, being in one group with versatile talents from all over the world is such a privilege and honor, and able to represent my country and culture to the world. Artistically, the collective has opened my eyes to seeing how other photographers in the collective work and present the same subject in different light and ideas. I have learned how to fuse my personality into my art as each photographer in the collective and their works represent who they are and where they live.
@light_palmer
One of your goals is to highlight the richness and diversity of human experiences. What are some key projects or exhibitions that best embody this mission?
Sara Goli: As a photography group aiming to capture the richness and diversity of human experiences, we've been inspired by several groundbreaking projects. The genre of street photography, pioneered by photographers like Henri Cartier-Bresson and Garry Winogrand, excels at capturing candid moments and the nuances of everyday life.
The Migrant Series: Documenting the experiences of migrants has become increasingly important in recent years. Photographers like Sebastião Salgado and Nick Ut have created powerful visual narratives that shed light on global issues.
We are currently working on a Wall project that aims to showcase the multifaceted nature of walls through various perspectives and styles. From outdoor walls related to portrait and street photography to indoor walls connected to migration, war, and social issues, we hope to create a diverse and thought-provoking display.
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As a collective, what are your long-term aspirations? Are there particular collaborations, exhibitions, or themes you hope to explore in the future?
Rudransh Nagi: We are working on several different ideas where we want to reach a much wider audience. We are planning to start our podcast soon on the first anniversary of our collective - Five People That Have Never Met. We want people to know each one of us in our words and interact with us. We will tell our photography and intimate stories twice a month. Stay tuned for the announcement. We are also in the process of looking for collaborators, galleries, exhibitors, book publishers, and media personnel in each of our countries - India, Tanzania, Poland, Iran, and Brazil or people who would like to support us from any part of the world.
As for any specific themes, for the moment we are focused on delivering the best to our Walls series which is coming along well. As you can see the different interpretations of walls in the images and beautifully explained by Sara through her words. These are the kinds of emotions that most of us can connect with as humans. And, we are very much looking forward to sharing the full project with you all.
If you could deliver one message about the power of photography and shared humanity through your collective work, what would it be?
Rudransh Nagi: We have seen in the past the power of photography in stopping wars like the famous ‘Naked Girl of Vietnam’ or ‘Falling Soldier’ captured by Robert Capa during the Spanish war. Who can forget the touching work ‘America at Work’ by Lewis W. Hines showcasing the terrible conditions of the children working in the factories? And, with this idea of togetherness and thought-provoking ideas, the Circulo Collective is another example of it. Five photographers who did not know each other before this collective came together to tell stories for a common goal. It is through photography that we all managed to come together in this way. It has proven time and again that it does not need a specific language to touch anybody from any part of the world. Photography is beautiful, challenging, satisfying, frustrating, joyous, painful and so much more. Join us in this enriching journey where you will learn about different cultures and languages, literally and photographically.
