AES New York 2015
Archiving and Restoration Track Event A6
Friday, October 30, 6:00 pm — 7:00 pm (Room 1A12)
Archiving: A6 - Anatomy of a Bootleg: Archiving One Part Poetry, One Part Punk
Presenter:Allie Whalen, Independent Archivist / UCLA Library Preservation Program - Los Angeles, CA, USA; NYU MIAP Grad - New York, NY, USA
Abstract:
Just as finding the right speed to play back a record, or finessing the sound from a wax cylinder can be challenging, recordings on magnetic media such as videotape or audio-cassette bring their own unique challenges. These challenges are especially complex when dealing with the homemade and DIY nature of punk collections and are well represented by recordings found in UCLA Library’s S.A. Griffin Collection, currently being digitized by UCLA Library’s AV Preservation Unit. Griffin is an LA-based poet and actor who was closely involved in LA’s neo- beat poetry, punk and performance art scene during the 1980s and 1990s. Content includes recordings of poetry readings and various performances held at iconic, now vanished, LA locations. Performers and groups represent a cross section of the LA poetry, performance, and punk scene including the Lost Tribe and their later incarnation the Carma Bums, Charles Bukowski, Wanda Coleman, and William Burroughs reading Naked Lunch. The non-standard and “rough” nature of the recordings mean dealing with problems like mono/stereo switching mid-recording, inconsistent levels, analog noise (incorrect speed, clicks, pops, dropout, distortion, crackle, buzz) and post-digitization clicks and clipping, all of which require thoughtful assessment. Along these lines, the Griffin project also highlights the importance of thorough documentation and metadata when it comes to preserving such a unique niche collection, as well as the value of being in communication with the donor to provide additional background and context on everything from contributors to recording locations.
