Archivia February 7, 2011

Lighthouse is excited to be exhibiting Archivia, a programme of 18 new works created and inspired by archival films, funded through the Digital Film Archive Fund. Archivia is an exhibition of new work made by artists, filmmakers and community groups in response to and with archival film footage showing what life was like from the 1890s across the South East.

New films include ‘The Pickers’ by Adam Chodzko, which comments on the current and historical experiences of migrant workers, by alternating the experience of contemporary Romanian strawberry pickers in the UK, with migrant hop-pickers in early 20th century film footage. Filmmaker Kat Mansoor produced 'Old Man In The Sea' a short film drawing on archive footage of the Brighton Swimming Club. The film’s central character is David Sawyers, whose great great grandfather started the club 150 years ago. Disabled by arthritis whilst on land, David is freed from arthritis by sea swimming.

The Archivia exhibition reflects the rich historical experience of living in this part of England from the 1890s till the present day, and will stimulate new interest in how archive film, combined with digital technology, can inspire and entertain.