screw you too, Art International Radio
Feb. 11th, 2009 11:11 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
spoofmasterSo here's the deal: The Film-makers' Coop is being evicted from the space where they have had their archive and their offices for about nine years for the sake of a new project headed by one Alanna Heiss, who just plain doesn't seem to get that kicking these guys out is a move that could bring an end to this organization. As of now, they don't have the funding they would need to support relocating thousands of 16mm prints and a massive paper archive. Articles about the situation are here, here, and here.
At this time the Film-makers' Coop is often the only resource available for exhibitors in need of prints of rare independent works, or for independent filmmakers in need of some form of distribution. As at least one of the articles mentions, in some cases the Coop possesses the only known copy of a film. Losing this resource would be a massive blow to organizations like TIE, who rented films from them for their 2008 fundraising event, and also any museums wanting to expose the public to alternate cinemas.
Here's the part that requires effort on our part: going to this page and sending a message to NY Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin asking for support for the Coop, either in remaining where they are or in moving to another location. Even if you're not into experimental film, think of the potential loss in terms of art history. No way should we lose this collection just because some nitwit wanted to start an online radio station.
Please spread the word to your flists and to any relevant communities, too.
At this time the Film-makers' Coop is often the only resource available for exhibitors in need of prints of rare independent works, or for independent filmmakers in need of some form of distribution. As at least one of the articles mentions, in some cases the Coop possesses the only known copy of a film. Losing this resource would be a massive blow to organizations like TIE, who rented films from them for their 2008 fundraising event, and also any museums wanting to expose the public to alternate cinemas.
Here's the part that requires effort on our part: going to this page and sending a message to NY Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin asking for support for the Coop, either in remaining where they are or in moving to another location. Even if you're not into experimental film, think of the potential loss in terms of art history. No way should we lose this collection just because some nitwit wanted to start an online radio station.
Please spread the word to your flists and to any relevant communities, too.
no subject
Date: 2009-02-11 09:47 pm (UTC)Apparently there's been some sort of real estate cooperation between the two organizations since 2000, but the Coop has only been able to get a lease on a month-by-month basis. When the change was initially brought up, apparently the plan was to divvy up the space and leave the Coop's collection where it was - but since then, Art International Radio has decided that they absolutely omg can't live without having the entire space to themselves.
The first article I linked to makes it sound like they want to actually produce art for online broadcast in that space. It also quotes Heiss saying things that piss me off, like "“When [the Coop] moves, it should move very carefully.” Uhm, duh. That's why it's going to be so damn expensive and potentially kill the Coop altogether. And she's talking about having hope for future collaborations...seems damned unlikely to me.