Brown, Daniel A.
Daniel A. Brown Photograph Collection, 1968-2003ca.450 items
Photo by Gary Cohen
Having joined the the Brotherhood of the Spirit commune in 1973, Dan Brown remained a member for a decade as it evolved first into Metelica’s Aquarian Concept and then into the Renaissance Community. Throughout his time as a member, he photographed his fellow communards as they moved through a variety of localities, including Turner’s Falls, Gill, and Warwick, Mass. Since leaving the community in 1983, he has written and lectured regularly on its history for audiences throughout the region.
One of the principle photographers of the Brotherhood and Renaissance Community during the period 1973-1983, Brown preserved an archive of approximately 450 photographs documenting the commune from its founding in 1968 through the time of Michael Metelica’s death in 2003. In addition to his own work, he collected and preserved images of many other photographers, most notably Gary Cohen.
[nggallery id=4]
Visit the online gallery.- Babbitt, Elwood, 1922-.
- Brotherhood of the Spirit.
- Communal living--Massachusetts.
- Metelica, Michael.
- Brown, Daniel A.
- Cohen, Gary.
- Photographs.
At the present time, with the economic system crumbling in the wake of of it’s shortcomings, it appears the time for communities such as the ‘Brotherhood of Spirit’ need to be considered essential for survival. The pooling of resources and ideas, combined with a universalized spiritual outlook that unites the community in a common effort that benefits all, needs to be reborn. Elwood Babbitt read my past lives back in the late eighties, and told me I’d become involved in an effort such as this in the future. So I think that perhaps he was referring to the present time, as finding this community with Elwood’s influence evident in it’s structure, is very comforting, and I’m hopeful that it will bring contact with those who share this same desire for an Earth-Centered community.
May 11th, 2011 at 5:00 am