On the Materiality of the Audio-Visual Heritage

Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola in Donostia (San Sebastián), Spain, on 26–29 November 2019

Abstract

How has sound and image been recorded and reproduced? We will explore the various approaches that have been undertaken during the one a half past centuries and discuss why some succeeded and others did not. Understanding the original processes is the foundation not only for conservation but also for successful modern restorations.

This class is a technical history of both the sound and the moving image record and their reproduction. The acoustic, electrical, magnetic and digital era are considered for sound; the photographic, mechanical, magnetic and digital era for moving images. Not only the current archival media (radio, film, television and video) are explored, but also computers, video games and even … space exploration.

Lectures

• Tuesday 26^th November
• Wednesday 27^th November
• Thursday 28^th November
• Friday 29^th November

Bibliography

• Paul Read: “A Short History of Cinema Film Post-Production”, in Joachim Polzer (ed.): Zur Geschichte des Kopierwerks (= Weltwunder der Kinematographie, n. 8), 2006, p. 41–132
• Diana Weynand and Vance Piccin with Marcus Weise: How Video Works. From Broadcast to the Cloud. Third Edition, Focal Press, New York NY and Oxon 2016

2020-10-30