Artwork > 1996

'Vacuum' VHS tape compilation case artwork, 1996 (DR)

VACUUM

One of the hurdles encountered by the Exploding Cinema at various points in its endeavours has been that of curation. It's not that we have anything against curated events, rather that as a screening initiative our founding principle is that of being open access, we DON'T select work. The Exploding Cinema will show whatever it's given - just so long as it lasts 25 minutes or under. To that effect one of our long-standing mottoes has been 'No stars, no funding, no taste'. So whenever we're asked to put together a programme for a festival philosophical problems are encountered.

'Vacuum' was one of the ways found round such a hurdle, a compilation of British underground film and video work which had been screened at our shows - a record of the vitality of that subculture. This was initiated by a couple of members of the group, but was set up as an independent enterprise, with separate finances, and was not actively endorsed by the Exploding Cinema on its packaging or publicity.

In keeping with a DIY ethos 'Vacuum' was produced voluntarily, on a shoestring, with any profits to be divided amongst the contributors should sufficient sales be made. Its initial run did sell out but costs were only just met and the practical difficulties of distribution started to make themselves felt. Because a lot of the material on the tape involved reworking and reappropriating copyrighted materials - both with image and sound - its circulation was necessarily 'underground' and so sales outlets were limited (of course a few years later the potential of online sales have opened up a whole new marketplace).

 

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