http://mediapraxis.org Integrating Theory, Practice & Politics Sun, 05 Sep 2010 16:03:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-806 J.F. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:14:10 +0000 http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-806 Video Remains grapples with itself. There *aren’t* any remains because it’s immaterial; there’s no dust, only moving images, mere pixels. But static is a loud undercurrent throughout the film, and acts as a kind of residue an audience can’t ignore. And Jim is physically gone but he’s literally projected onto a screen. We hear him and see him, a kind of specter whose fading image is woven through other stories of sadness, humor, loss, and triumph. And while it is difficult to follow Jim’s meandering story-telling, both in content and format, it is exactly this “neither here nor there” sensibility that demonstrates why a clean, neatly categorized archive of feelings is not only unfulfilling, but impossible: “ The tape renounces the divide between the personal and the political, [and] the past and the present…as it also holds an indexical and transitory trace of me, the loving, yearning, active video maker, also edited therein” (326-7 Juhasz). This archive is about the *seams*, a sewn mesh of raw auditory and visual traces of ordinary people who were thrust into a global trauma. There are no borders, just blurs. Video Remains grapples with itself. There *aren’t* any remains because it’s immaterial; there’s no dust, only moving images, mere pixels. But static is a loud undercurrent throughout the film, and acts as a kind of residue an audience can’t ignore. And Jim is physically gone but he’s literally projected onto a screen. We hear him and see him, a kind of specter whose fading image is woven through other stories of sadness, humor, loss, and triumph.
And while it is difficult to follow Jim’s meandering story-telling, both in content and format, it is exactly this “neither here nor there” sensibility that demonstrates why a clean, neatly categorized archive of feelings is not only unfulfilling, but impossible: “ The tape renounces the divide between the personal and the political, [and] the past and the present…as it also holds an indexical and transitory trace of me, the loving, yearning, active video maker, also edited therein” (326-7 Juhasz).
This archive is about the *seams*, a sewn mesh of raw auditory and visual traces of ordinary people who were thrust into a global trauma. There are no borders, just blurs.

]]> http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-805 MD Xiaoye Ma Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:31:57 +0000 http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-805 "Remains" is a powerful documentary because it brings together people from all walks of life and acts as a driving power for these people to act up. The documentary itself is a great archive of feelings, and it also serve as a trauma archive. The feelings involved in this video archive could be seen on two levels, one being the feeling of the protagonists of the documentary, the other being the feeling of the audience - us. As Jim talked about his grandmother, we could see that he was upset, sad and heartbroken. His voice trembled as he tried to put together words and phrases. The documentary captures the minute details of Jim, and these details are the best way of showcasing his feelings. Whereas for us, the audience, we could sense a similar feeling in the classroom as we watched the documentary. We felt the same way Jim felt, and the atmosphere in the classroom was intense for a while. We were drawn into this video, and we ourselves began to feel the pain Jim felt, we all have grandmothers, and it is almost impossible for us not to think of our own grandmothers. Eventually, we became part of this online virtual archive, we see ourselves as Jim. Although we may not suffer from AIDS, maybe our grandmother are still alive, nevertheless, we all hope to help the people who are suffering from AIDS, because we could feel their trauma, and we have the urge to stand up and do something. This is the power of this video. The intimate conversations depicts the feeling of Jim, but create a similar feeling for us all. When an archive manages to bridge the gap between what it's been archived and the person accessing the archive, the archive no longer exists as a physical artifact. The archive lives on with the people. The archive will enlighten the people, and the people will pass down the archive to future generations. “Remains” is a powerful documentary because it brings together people from all walks of life and acts as a driving power for these people to act up. The documentary itself is a great archive of feelings, and it also serve as a trauma archive. The feelings involved in this video archive could be seen on two levels, one being the feeling of the protagonists of the documentary, the other being the feeling of the audience - us. As Jim talked about his grandmother, we could see that he was upset, sad and heartbroken. His voice trembled as he tried to put together words and phrases. The documentary captures the minute details of Jim, and these details are the best way of showcasing his feelings. Whereas for us, the audience, we could sense a similar feeling in the classroom as we watched the documentary. We felt the same way Jim felt, and the atmosphere in the classroom was intense for a while. We were drawn into this video, and we ourselves began to feel the pain Jim felt, we all have grandmothers, and it is almost impossible for us not to think of our own grandmothers. Eventually, we became part of this online virtual archive, we see ourselves as Jim. Although we may not suffer from AIDS, maybe our grandmother are still alive, nevertheless, we all hope to help the people who are suffering from AIDS, because we could feel their trauma, and we have the urge to stand up and do something. This is the power of this video. The intimate conversations depicts the feeling of Jim, but create a similar feeling for us all. When an archive manages to bridge the gap between what it’s been archived and the person accessing the archive, the archive no longer exists as a physical artifact. The archive lives on with the people. The archive will enlighten the people, and the people will pass down the archive to future generations.

]]> http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-804 Alex Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:09:33 +0000 http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-804 Lauren: In this sense the work moves from an archive of feeling to a trauma archive, yes? From personal to political... Lauren: In this sense the work moves from an archive of feeling to a trauma archive, yes? From personal to political…

]]> http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-803 Lauren James Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:52:50 +0000 http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-803 In your film someone said that the footage remains alive, but the people in it are dead. Archiving/recording the AIDS movement is important because it needs to make its mark in history. Without the archive, it becomes forgotten, and when those who fought have passed on, there is no record of the event. It is crucial to know the true facts about AIDS and how people fought, and not just have popular films tell the story about the struggle. Like Erin said nostalgia is used to spread awareness about AIDS. Video Remains could have only been about Jim's last few months and become a piece where you reflect on who he was as a person. But you use his memory and your personal connection with the disease to connect with a wider community who may come in contact with AIDS. You use Jim and other people's stories to let people know that AIDS is an ongoing problem. In this particular video, it shows the emotion of the activists, which is anger towards Abbott. Within this video, the emotion stays the same, and it shows the importance of activism. Archiving this on-line makes it accessible to anyone with a computer and internet connection; it reaches a larger audience. In your film someone said that the footage remains alive, but the people in it are dead. Archiving/recording the AIDS movement is important because it needs to make its mark in history. Without the archive, it becomes forgotten, and when those who fought have passed on, there is no record of the event. It is crucial to know the true facts about AIDS and how people fought, and not just have popular films tell the story about the struggle.
Like Erin said nostalgia is used to spread awareness about AIDS. Video Remains could have only been about Jim’s last few months and become a piece where you reflect on who he was as a person. But you use his memory and your personal connection with the disease to connect with a wider community who may come in contact with AIDS. You use Jim and other people’s stories to let people know that AIDS is an ongoing problem.
In this particular video, it shows the emotion of the activists, which is anger towards Abbott. Within this video, the emotion stays the same, and it shows the importance of activism. Archiving this on-line makes it accessible to anyone with a computer and internet connection; it reaches a larger audience.

]]> http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-802 Alex Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:42:06 +0000 http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-802 Claire, I sometimes think you can't have activism without extreme pain. And perhaps that's as it should be. You're quiet until you really can't stand it. Claire, I sometimes think you can’t have activism without extreme pain. And perhaps that’s as it should be. You’re quiet until you really can’t stand it.

]]> http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-801 Claire Palermo Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:22:32 +0000 http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-801 The first image in this video is striking: the date April 26, 2007. Although archiving activism and mourning processes like these videos do is certainly important, the effect of putting them into an archive is that they are assumed to be part of the past. When people think of archives, even online ones, they think of dust and memory -- the very word carries the weight of history. Of course, people also assume that history with a capital H includes the sum of all human struggles, which as we know, is not true; much is excluded. I have known that AIDS is also a problem in Africa and Asia, but this video is also the first I have ever seen documenting AIDS activism in a non-Western country, which is further proof of the power of archives and preserved memory. The very fact that footage like this exists elevates AIDS to being a global issue -- and makes the lack of action about it that much more political and appalling. Building the history of AIDS activism to inspire future movements is important, but 2007 was not that long ago. I think that sometimes even after watching these, people need that extra nudge to take the emotional energy that mourning creates and turn it into inspiration or rage. How can a video accomplish that? Being heard, seen, and remembered are important, but where's the continuation? I'm not sure, but stuff like this is definitely a good start. The first image in this video is striking: the date April 26, 2007. Although archiving activism and mourning processes like these videos do is certainly important, the effect of putting them into an archive is that they are assumed to be part of the past. When people think of archives, even online ones, they think of dust and memory — the very word carries the weight of history. Of course, people also assume that history with a capital H includes the sum of all human struggles, which as we know, is not true; much is excluded. I have known that AIDS is also a problem in Africa and Asia, but this video is also the first I have ever seen documenting AIDS activism in a non-Western country, which is further proof of the power of archives and preserved memory. The very fact that footage like this exists elevates AIDS to being a global issue — and makes the lack of action about it that much more political and appalling.
Building the history of AIDS activism to inspire future movements is important, but 2007 was not that long ago. I think that sometimes even after watching these, people need that extra nudge to take the emotional energy that mourning creates and turn it into inspiration or rage. How can a video accomplish that? Being heard, seen, and remembered are important, but where’s the continuation? I’m not sure, but stuff like this is definitely a good start.

]]> http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-800 Alex Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:55:51 +0000 http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-800 thanks for passing on your piece about these ideas. they play together beautifully! thanks for passing on your piece about these ideas. they play together beautifully!

]]> http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-799 Erin Wafer Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:43:13 +0000 http://mediapraxis.org/?p=30#comment-799 I like the idea that nostalgia can be productive. Looking back on Jim's life through video is, as Professor Juhasz writes, "potentially productive of new feelings and knowledge that might lead to action" (Juhasz, 2006, 322). As she notes, taking a look back on what has past by creating a video involves new conversations and a look at the future (screening the video, talking about it, etc.). I also believe that everyone deserves to be acknowledged, and that listening to their stories can be a powerful act; such is the case with Jim's stories. I enjoyed his impression of Capote, the glasses he just happened to have "for blind people" and wholehearted promotion of the flower bag. Told in the context of a nostalgic video on AIDS and activism, his stories take on further depth. Thinking about the productivity of nostalgia reminds me of one of my own projects that I did on my great grandmother. Even though she died when I was very young, I have bits and pieces of memories of her floating around in my mind. I recorded a conversation I had with my mom about her, and mixed it with pieces of a cassette tape I had found of her talking. While my audio piece is in a context completely unrelated to HIV/AIDS, I also made nostalgia productive- thinking not only about the hardships the women in my family have faced (acknowledging and appreciating them), but also looking at my current relationship with my mom, and hoping future generations will know something of our history. You can listen to it here: http://sonrisotas.xanga.com/audio/a935c3483232/ I like the idea that nostalgia can be productive. Looking back on Jim’s life through video is, as Professor Juhasz writes, “potentially productive of new feelings and knowledge that might lead to action” (Juhasz, 2006, 322). As she notes, taking a look back on what has past by creating a video involves new conversations and a look at the future (screening the video, talking about it, etc.). I also believe that everyone deserves to be acknowledged, and that listening to their stories can be a powerful act; such is the case with Jim’s stories. I enjoyed his impression of Capote, the glasses he just happened to have “for blind people” and wholehearted promotion of the flower bag. Told in the context of a nostalgic video on AIDS and activism, his stories take on further depth.
Thinking about the productivity of nostalgia reminds me of one of my own projects that I did on my great grandmother. Even though she died when I was very young, I have bits and pieces of memories of her floating around in my mind. I recorded a conversation I had with my mom about her, and mixed it with pieces of a cassette tape I had found of her talking. While my audio piece is in a context completely unrelated to HIV/AIDS, I also made nostalgia productive- thinking not only about the hardships the women in my family have faced (acknowledging and appreciating them), but also looking at my current relationship with my mom, and hoping future generations will know something of our history. You can listen to it here: http://sonrisotas.xanga.com/audio/a935c3483232/

]]> http://mediapraxis.org/?p=176#comment-798 James Owens Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:50:27 +0000 http://mediapraxis.org/?p=176#comment-798 Their website is down, as is Media tank. Are these groups still active? Their website is down, as is Media tank. Are these groups still active?

]]> http://mediapraxis.org/?p=21#comment-797 wow gold Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:06:19 +0000 http://mediapraxis.org/?p=21#comment-797 This is my first time comment at your blog. Good recommended website. This is my first time comment at your blog.
Good recommended website.

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