Preserving an Arts Legacy - Melisande Charles
By Mark Stanley
In the last few months we have been helping with the preservation of the video legacy of artist and arts advocate Melisande Charles.
Ten boxes of tapes have been collected together in various formats ranging from one-inch masters, 3/4" U-matic editing and presentation versions, and VHS viewing copies. A Macintosh computer workstation was put together in Melisande's home to view and convert selected tapes. A tape numbering system was created to help track the digitization process, and allow for cataloging. The master files were mostly digitized using the DV25 codec since a firewire 400 based analog-to-digital convertor box was used. MP4 viewing copies were made of some of the master files. All digital files were backed up to at least three external hard disc drives at different locations. Special thanks to local transfer services and fellow media artists for contributing their support.
In addition to the digitization work, a local production talent team was quickly assembled to interview the artist about her early video work. She shared on camera her recollections about the video projects and the preparation and research that went into them.
Melisande was able to reference clips from each project during the video interviews, and greatly appreciated all the help from her friends in the community that became involved in getting this underway.
Currently we are seeking funding and additional resources to catalog and digitize her remaining tapes to preserve her media arts legacy and create a short video program about her pioneering video art. Donations and support welcome.
For more information see our projects page at https://mnmediaarts.org/donations-givemn.html
- posted 2016-09-08, updated 2020-06-16
In the last few months we have been helping with the preservation of the video legacy of artist and arts advocate Melisande Charles.
This collection and digitization project was started with the help of Melisande's friend Craig Sinard who worked with her on various video art projects. Many of the Minneapolis/St.Paul arts community know of Melisande for her work in the late 70's and 80's spearheading the Minneapolis Arts Commission's effort to provide a vital arts community, including support for artists spaces.
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| Melisande reviewing footage at her home in 2016. |
Melisande was able to reference clips from each project during the video interviews, and greatly appreciated all the help from her friends in the community that became involved in getting this underway.
UPDATE:
Ms. Charles passed away September 6, 2017 at the age of 86. View Star Tribune obituary
Currently we are seeking funding and additional resources to catalog and digitize her remaining tapes to preserve her media arts legacy and create a short video program about her pioneering video art. Donations and support welcome.
For more information see our projects page at https://mnmediaarts.org/donations-givemn.html
- posted 2016-09-08, updated 2020-06-16
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