On the Materiality of the Audio-Visual Heritage

At Elías Querejeta Zine Eskola in Donostia (San Sebastián), Spain, in Autumn 2025.

Table of Contents

• Abstract

Abstract

How has sound and image been recorded and reproduced? We will explore the various approaches that have been undertaken during the one and 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. It includes also a four-hour FFmpeg workshop.

The lecturer is Reto Kromer.

2024-10-27