Exploding Cinema 1991 - 1997: Culture and Democracy

Book excerpt: The Exploding Cinema is a collective of artists that produce what can be described as a hybrid fusion of projection, performance and social space. It began in South London in late 1991. Architectural spaces, transformed with the use of slides and loop film projections are used as an environmental context for a programme of short films and video. A 'master of ceremonies' sets up a dialogue with the audience and introduces the films. He or she encourages filmmakers who are present to speak or be questioned. The audience are encouraged to make films themselves and invited to show them at future Exploding events with a promise that nothing will be rejected. By thoughtful programming this inclusive process of soliciting material, along with a printed programme and the work of members of the group who provide slides and film loops to decorate the space, results in a varied and lively programme which regularly attracted lively audiences of 100 - 300. Using several research methodologies I try to capture a rich body of information about this open artists collective from different angles. The idea is to record the cultural and political value of this groups actvities. Artists collectives are barely represented in mainstream knowledge, so I saw this work as being of use in the inclusion of future study of such complex groups. My assumption was that open collectives offer a platform to those excluded from the establishments more exclusive cultural platforms. There is often a focus on oral traditions of culture as against literary traditions.