Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Bronze Age were periods of Prehistory characterized by slow and progressive transformation of civilizations. Preceded the Iron Age, which was marked by discovery of metal that provided the most "technological revolution" until then: iron; higher than bronze regarding hardness and abundance of deposits, as well as in the development of tools, weapons and jewelry. It is attributed to the Celts the introduction of iron metallurgy in Europe (1200 B.C.). Originated from the Indo-European world - located just south of Russia extending through the Ural Mountains, the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea - they initially settled in Hallstatt, Austria; bringing to Europe a real revolution in the military field, in agriculture and crafts. From then expanded to Central and Western Europe, reaching Asia Minor.
     Mircea Elíade refers to blacksmiths as the ´masters of the fire´. ´Masters´ whose profession is closely related to the field of human forces over the forces of nature; that dialogue in synchronic rhythm transforming each other. For this permanent pulsar of inner forces that act in the shadow of knowledge, and are associated with primary needs of homo faber, were determinant in setting that later became the Alchemy; period in which the combination of elements has been made in an attempt to be found optimal formulations. The lapis? They were also linked to the movement of appearance of occult forces, as well as, numerous myths, rites and mysteries related to power on inert matter and the sacredness of living matter. Experiences that, over time, were becoming substrate for much of the sciences we know today. In the words of who is considered the first blacksmith, Brahmanaspati vedic, that forges, or rather, welds the world: his forging work is the constitution of being from non-being.
     From Bachelard's philosophy we find reflections like this: “... The blacksmith and the potter rule two different worlds. In the raw materials of their work, in the exercise of their powers, they recieve visions of the universe, contemporaneous visions of Creation. Work - when it involves the very essence of substances - is Genesis. It imaginatively recreates, through the material images by which it is inspired, the very matter which opposes its efforts. The laborer, Homo faber, when working with matter, is not satisfied with adjustment by geometric calculation, but takes pleasure in the intrinsic solidity of the raw material, finds joy in the malleability of whatever matter is to be subdued. And all these pleasures are to be found in the pre-existing images which are an encouragement to work. This is more than the simple satisfaction of a job well done. The material image is a factor in our work; it is the immediate future - the future materially prefigured - of each of our actions upon matter. By means of such images of work upon matter, workers acquire such a fine appreciation of the qualities of different materials and develop such an intimate relationship with their material values that one could say they come to know these substances genetically, as if they might bear witness to their fidelity to the basic structures of matter.”
     Jung in Psychology and Alchemy, about the mythical which involves alchemy, mentions four stages in the transformation process which in essence are characterized by their original colors: nigredo, rubedo, albedo and cauda pavonis, as well making considerations on human existence and individuation, drawing parallels between the religious and sacred issues concerning alchemical metaphor as an interior process of projection. Are reflections that like so many other thinkers they trace boundaries on questions about human profile over time.
     
     Inherent to the technology and singularities of the human being, the development of quality of life, species and the environment brings with it the need for optimization of processes and materials, being research and discoveries protagonized by Science; decisive agents of the speed and direction that the world moves. History is the real testimony of how the chronological time has also been an additional driving variable to that formula visible, non-visible, which are subjected all things: alive or not. There is a potential movement always ready to awaken from its latency and to perform the task of bringing the substances materiality to new and successive transformations; either by the force of nature in its natural accommodation, either by the hands of men.
     Blacksmith, like all men, is inserted in this context of reflections. However when he performs his ambivalent task of forging matter he has the benefit of the use the metal malleability to establish it ´functions´, while at the same time provides it ´forms´. Thus, as the material is transformed also internally he transforms himself. Like Hephaestus exercises his deific mission full of meaning, making it servicing God´s work, so: he is an image of God as forger.

     When I realized this documentary I could experience some of the day-to-day blacksmith work, and it was an experience somewhat unusual. Observe technique, facilities, procedures, handling of tools: hammers, anvils, grippers ... furnace, drill, grinder ... materials technology, processes of forging, tempering, milling tool, modeling, twist the iron ... the work environment: heat, dust, sounds, gases ... Observe iron, steel, metal ... their colors cold and hot ... before and after ... See the pieces finalized... a sample showing a little the world in which the iron worker is involved.
     And that was a little of the world I found when in June 2014 I started this photographic work with the young blacksmith Wagner Thaler. It was two years and some visits to his workshop to accompany the daily routine of his work. I also went to other places in the city and by the region where he has finished works. Born in Treze Tílias, Brazil, in 1983, Wagner is descended from Austrian immigrant families: Felder and Thaler. He lived in Austria between 11 and 22 years old, where he worked for three and a half years in companies located in the state of Vorarlberg: one year and a half in Schlosserei Bartl company in Nüziders and two years in Schlosserei Gruber company in Raggal. These companies had an apprenticeship contract with the professionalizing school where he graduated in Metal Mechanics: the Landesberufsschule in Bludenz also in the state of Vorarlberg. After he returned to Treze Tílias twelve years ago, he has worked as a professional blacksmith in the last eight years, developing a differentiated work applied on a various uses such as wrought-iron railings, handrails, balconies, cemetery crosses, doorknobs, metal comercial panels, among many others; being one of his main features the customization of the pieces using them a unique artistic finish. Were also recorded with him some talks about his professional experience as a blacksmith that resulted in the following video, where Wagner reports some from his own experiences, impressions and reflections on the work it performs. It was also recorded the following video of 31 minutes where Wagner tells us some of his experiences, impressions and reflections on the professional work he performs as a blacksmith.


     In his talks Wagner shows us and makes some comments about the poem written for a song composed on 09/06/1942 by Johann Rohrer, the first blacksmith of Treze Tílias. Born on 02/24/1906 in the city of Kundl, state of Tyrol, Austria, Johann was a professional blacksmith. He arrived in Treze Tílias on 10/13/1933 along with 84 other immigrants, most of them from the state of Tyrol. During the organization of the colonization he was responsible to be the blacksmith of the new colony; important profession because of rudimentary working conditions of that time. He played his job since his arrival until the date of his death 03/19/1977 totaling 43 years of work. Among the many works he performed Rohrer bequeathed to the city of Treze Tílias the crosses that even today remain at the top of the towers of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. And it is with his poem Lied der Schmiede, ´Song of the Blacksmith´ (with free translation by his grandson Carlos Eduardo Rohrer Felder), and kindly provided by his family, I conclude this virtual exhibition dedicating it to him and all the blacksmiths; that despite the hardships of the system, time and life, still believe and continue on their journey in the service of a better world. I also dedicate this work to the pioneers immigrants, along Johann Rohrer, spared no efforts and bravely built the foundations of a small community in the heart of Santa Catarina state that would become the beautiful city of Treze Tílias: the " Brazilian Tyrol."

Lied der Schmiede Song of the Blacksmith
Wir Schmiede sind ein rauch Geschlecht	We blacksmiths are a brave lineage
Und dienen Gott als treuer Knecht	And we serve God as loyal servant
Er gab uns unsere breite Brust	He gave us broad chest
Den festen Arm, die wilde Lust	Strong arms, wild will
Unsere Werkstatt ist ein Gotteshaus	Our workshop is a house of God
Drin laeut es hell tagein tagaus	Inside it we clearly play day by day
Wenn unsre Faust den Hammer schwer	In our fist the heavy hammer
Dem Herrn der Erze schwingt zur Ehr	Ore masters hammering for honor
Schlag zu Gesell.	Beat to work.
Uns Ambos ist ein Hochaltar	Our anvil is the main altar
Dran trauen wir manches gute Paar	Precise we trust a lot on a good pair
Wir trauen den Huf das Eisen an	We trust in the steel in the horseshoe
Die Schar den Pflug das Schwert den Mann	In the people of the plow and in the sword of men
Wen heis deine Flamme sie umloht	When his hot flame flickers
Dann gluehn die ersten Bräute rot	So shine the first red brides
Zum Tanz hält sie die Zange gepakt	For the dance she holds the tenacious swing
Ihr Hammer aufgespielt im Tackt	Their hammers played rhythmically
Schlag zu Gesell.	Beat to work.
Die Funken sprühen der Blasebalg faucht	Sparks twinkle with the snarl of the bellow
Es zischt die Glut in Fass getaucht	The red-hot coal whistles dipped in the barrel
Wir Schmiede sind die Herrn der Erd	We blacksmiths are masters of Earth
Und aller wessen die sie naehrt	And all creatures it nourishes
Wir schmieden Pflueg Wir Schmieden Brot	We forge plow we forge bread
Wir schmieden Krieg Wir schmieden Not	We forge war we forge affliction
Wir schmieden Ketten fuer den Knecht	We forge chains for the servant
Und Schwerter für ein frei Geschlecht	And swords for a free generation
Schlag zu Gesell.	Beat to work.
Der Ambos klingt, der Hammer singt	Anvil sounds, hammer sings
Die Flamme aus der Esse springt	Flame jumps through the chimney
Und kommt der Teufel uns ins Haus	And the devil enters into our house
Wir jagen ihn zum Schlot hinaus	We expel him by the chimney back
Wie ersichs ertauch mit Gefauch	As he emerges with a puff
Er muss dahin in Russ und Rauch	He must go in soot and smoke
Wir Schmied sind ehrlich Gottesschmied	We blacksmiths are sincere blacksmiths of God
Und fuerchten Not und Teufel nit	And do not fear either woes or demons
Hallo? Schlag zu Geseel.	Hello? Beat to work.

Dreizehnlinden, am 6, September 1942
Treze Tílias, September 6, 1942 (Sunday)