Artists' Moving Image
Ich Tank (David Larcher, 1998)
The artists' moving image collection in the bfi National Archive begins with early twentieth century avant-garde film and moves through the decades to embrace moving image work made by contemporary artists. It is British in its focus but also holds some key international works.
To build and care for this collection, the BFI and Arts Council England have appointed a Curator of Artists' Moving Image - William Fowler. This initiative and the information on this page exists in part to urge established artists and galleries to get in touch to help build the national collection further.
The bfi works with established artists, galleries and other bodies to preserve material in the temperature and humidity-monitored environment of the Archive and supports this activity with screenings, publications and DVD releases.
The Fall (Peter Whitehead, 1969)
The bfi does not buy work but neither does it claim copyright once it is donated. The bfi looks after material to ensure its survival for the long term while the rights remain with the artist. For artists who issue their work in editions, this could mean putting a stand-alone master version into the Archive that will not be subject to the wear and tear of the sold editions.
Artists donating materials to the bfi, include Jeff Keen, Bruce Lacey, Peter Whitehead, Marilyn Halford, Roger Hewins, Judith Goddard and Uriel Orlow.
