AGHORI BOOK
Aghori ⋅ Between Life and Death
The artbook tells the story of the Aghori sect, the most mysterious and terrifying Indian ascetics. It is said that they dwell somewhere between life and death. They often inhabit cremation grounds and use human bodies for their rituals. They perform Puja sitting on corpses and obtain ‘human oil’ by burning bodies over a fire. Because they practice necrophagy (the consumption of human flesh), they are commonly referred to as cannibals.
Pages: 136
Photographs: 89
Text insert: 28 pages
Dimensions: 32 x 23 cm (12.6 x 9.1 in)
Language versions: English, Polish
Release date: April 2026
Limited edition
The Aghori are orthodox devotees of the god Shiva. In his likeness, they cover their bodies with ashes, often sourced from cremation pyres. Like all Sadhu ascetics, the Aghori strive to break free from the cycle of reincarnation (Samsara) and attain liberation – Moksha. To achieve this, they must rid themselves of human emotions such as anger, greed, obsession, fear, hatred, and carnal desire. Living among the dead allows them to overcome fear, while renouncing clothing helps them conquer shame. Despite their practices, which are considered ‘impure’ by mainstream Hinduism, the Aghori stand at the pinnacle of the Sadhu hierarchy. It is also believed that they can practice black magic, lift curses, foretell the future, and even kill through the power of their mantras.
The photographs were created using the collodion process, invented in 1851, which requires immediate access to a darkroom during the shooting process. Therefore, a mobile darkroom is essential. The eponymous collodion is a solution of nitrocellulose (also known as guncotton) in ether and ethyl alcohol. Since the chemicals involved are potentially explosive, toxic, and mutagenic, air transport is strictly prohibited. Reaching remote locations requires traveling by land or water, often involving the transport of dozens of kilograms of equipment into high mountains or the heart of the jungle.
Photographing with this technique is a constant race against time; everything must be done on the spot. From coating the plate to capturing the image and developing it, the photographer has only about fifteen minutes before the plate dries and becomes useless. Furthermore, the chemistry involved is exceptionally sensitive to both impurities and temperature fluctuations. These factors turn mobile collodion photography into an immense logistical feat. Currently, the author is the only person in the world who undertakes such an arduous effort in the field.
