APEX 2024: GREECE | NYU’s MIAP Program x Archipelago Network
International Collaboration between New York University’s MIAP Program and Archipelago Network for Audiovisual Heritage Preservation
Archipelago Network partners with New York University’s Moving Image Archiving and Preservation (MIAP) program to host the 2024 edition of the Audiovisual Preservation Exchange (APEX) in Greece. From May 22 to May 31, 2024, selected archivists and MIAP students, alongside participants from Athens and Syros, Greece, undertake cataloging and preservation of the “Of the Anonymous” amateur film archive, and organization and digitization of the Aigaio Radio & TV station archive.
Before cell phones and digital cameras, and long before TikTok, Instagram and selfies, various forms of amateur and community-scale media-making narrated decades of everyday history. Home movies captured fleeting moments of public and private life, while public access television and radio provided a platform for local news, events and creative expression. The film reels, audio tapes and VHS cassettes that will be organized and digitized during this project constitute a simultaneously essential and vulnerable record of local memory and culture.
ATHENS, 22-25 MAY
Cataloging amateur film collections with “Of the Anonymous – Amateur Audiovisual Material Archive”
This project centers on cataloging and access policies for “Of the Anonymous – Amateur Audiovisual Material Archive.” The collection, dedicated to Greek and international amateur cinema, holds an idiosyncratic survey of Super 8 and 16mm films. Participants will collaborate on strategies to enhance cataloging methods and improve accessibility to this invaluable collection of amateur cinematic treasures.
Working group: Kim Tarr, Juliana Principe, Julia Delgadillo, Clara Sanchez, Nikos Mitrogiannopoulos, and Orfeas Anastasiadis.
SYROS, 22-31 MAY
Digitization and documentation of public access television with “Aigaio Radio & TV”
This project focuses on cataloging, partial digitization, and storage management setup of the audiovisual archive of Aigaio Radio & TV, a public-access radio and television station located in the historic settlement of Ano Syros. Established in 1988, the station maintains a collection of thousands of regional TV and radio broadcasts, providing insights into breaking news, local culture and significant events in Syros and the Cyclades over the past three decades.
Working group: Shahed Dowlatshahi, Mona Jimenez, Charlie Norbury, Matt Yang, Neil Brydon, Syrina Nuemah, Fin Hatfield, Petros Freris, Xeni Kottaki and Thodoris Panagos.
Public Program
In Syros, a public program including a workshop and screening event will be held with the participation of the Athens working group, which joins the Syros team for the final phase of APEX 2024.
SUN 26 MAY, 11:00-13.00, Ano Syros Cultural Center
“Preserving Magnetic Media: Crash Course”
Workshop held in the context of the 2nd Documenting Heritage Festival
Participants: up to 12 persons
Held at the headquarters of the Aigaio Radio & TV station, this workshop provides an introduction to the work of APEX 2024: Greece, including an overview of digitization and organization techniques for magnetic media (VHS) held in the station’s archive.
If interested, sign up by Wednesday, May 22 by completing the registration form here. The workshop will be held in English. Registrations are confirmed on a first come, first served basis.
FRI 31 MAY, 18:00, Cultural Center of Ermoupolis
“Preserving the Audiovisual Archive of Aigaio Radio & TV”
Presentation & Screening in collaboration with the Syros International Film Festival (SIFF)
Celebrating the history of Aigaio Radio & TVs television programming, this event includes a presentation of the methodology and results of cataloging and digitization of the station’s VHS archive completed during APEX 2024: Greece, as well as a screening of selected television broadcasts from the mid and late 1990s including local community events and news.
You can pre-book by filling out the form here or register in person on the day of the event.
APEX 2024: Greece is realized in collaboration with: NYU Tisch MIAP, NYU Martin Scorsese Department of Cinema Studies, Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola, Of the Anonymous – Amateur Audiovisual Material Archive, Aigaio Radio & TV, AVP, Urbanski, Image Permanence Institute, and the Municipality of Syros-Ermoupolis.