Hippie-Portraits auf Rainbow Gatherings von Benoit Paillé

Rainbow Gatherings sind Treffen von Leuten, die sich selber der “Regenbogen-Familie” zugehörig fühlen, obwohl ich glaube, dass es da keinen dogmatischen und theoretisch festen Überbau gibt und sich vermutlich alle dort aus anderen Gründen einfinden, die sie dann aber doch auf irgendeine Weise verbinden. Kurz: Hippies. Ein Mischung aus Feierei und Landkommune, die sich an verschiedensten Orten der Welt immer mal für ein paar Tage zusammenfindet. Erstmalig fand ein solches Treffen 1972 (klar) in National Forest Land (USA) statt. “Offizielle Veranstalter gibt es keine, sondern lediglich so genannte Focalizer, die Informationen zu Ort und Vorbereitung der Zusammenkunft verbreiten. Aufgrund der Abwesenheit jedweder Hierarchie sind diese Treffen ein Beispiel für Selbstorganisation und Anarchie.”
(Wikipedia)

Der kanadische Fotograf Benoit Paillé ist seit ein paar Jahren Gast auf dieses Gahterings und macht neben jeder Menge wohl auch spiritueller Erfahrung Portraitaufnahmen der dortigen Besucher und die sind wirklich außerordentlich schön. Außerdem beschreibt er hier seine Erfahrungen, die er auf Treffen dieser Art sammeln konnte.

I had no prior expectations for my first Rainbow because it happened quite spontaneously, as is the case for many people discovering it for the first time. It is an environment that attracts many people inclined to travelling in general. I discovered Rainbow while was travelling in Gaspesie (Quebec) with my then girlfriend. We were punks. We had heard rumors of a Rainbow being organized not too far away, people gathering in the woods, hippies. It looked interesting. I had no expectations; we wanted to see what living in the woods without electricity was like. We were greeted by a young woman, her name was Petite Colle and as I remember it, the first thing she talked to us about was their regulations: no cutting of living trees, hard drugs, respect. And I was a rebel at that time, so I told her to piss off and left the Rainbow. Basically, my first experience of Rainbow lasted around four minutes!

We went back 3 or 4 days later. We were really well received, even punks like us, because everyone was happy that it was your first Rainbow. Rainbow meetings will change a person: you discover something really alternative, it is hard to believe such a thing actually exists, but people who live like that, focused on personal growth, living from their crafts, practicing yoga and all that, well, they do exist.

What’s cool about the Rainbow is that it is hidden; it takes place in isolation in the woods, far away. You must drive and walk for a long time, there is something magical to looking for it. At first glance, it’s like a tribe that is organized like a mini-city. Spaces are set up for a kitchen, a children area, a coffee shop, a music camp, etc… And a central circle with a big fire in the middle. It’s the sacred fire. This is where we eat; it is a place to share. Meals are completely vegan. Rainbows are provided for by local grocers who donate organic food, lentils, oats, etc… Other Rainbows organise “dumpster divings”: all the food comes from stuff wasted and thrown in the bins in cities.
We get up with the sun. I sleep in a tent, but many sleep under a simple cover. We completely lose track of time, it is a rare and valuable thing to happen in life. There is also a lot of music in the evening, with jam sessions and dancing.

Rainbow Gathering, Guatemala/Mexico, 2012-2013