XFR Collective will host its inaugural benefit party on Aug. 9 at Wonderville to raise funds for its low- and no-cost audiovisual preservation services, helping artists and community organizations protect aging media before it is lost. The free event begins at 2:30pm and is open to the public.
Guests can experience live performances by BOX the Clown (Isaac Reyes) and Evelyn Dugan, video mixing by cable_visions (Hunter Lombard) and Javier María, live music by Emkultra (Emily K) and Jim McHugh and an interactive gameplay session led by Cameron Granger.
Donors who contribute more than $30 will receive a limited-edition USB drive featuring video artwork by Chloë Bass, Jesus Benavente, Dahlia Bloomstone, Danny Greenberg, Dave McKenzie, Birgit Rathsmann and Allen Riley, with additional artists to be announced.
“XFR Collective has always been a resource for artists, and this event will celebrate that,” said Sarah Workneh, executive director of ProjectEATS.
To that end, donors of over $30 will receive a limited-edition USB drive of video art from artists Chloë Bass, Jesus Benavente, Dahlia Bloomstone, Danny Greenberg, Dave McKenzie, Birgit Rathsmann and Allen Riley, with more to be announced.
The fundraiser supports an organization that has become an important resource for preserving audiovisual works created by artists, dancers, performers and community groups throughout New York.
By offering affordable digitization services, XFR Collective helps ensure creative projects and historical recordings stored on obsolete formats remain accessible for future generations. The work also contributes to preserving cultural histories, including collections from organizations serving historically underrepresented communities.
“We’ve always been committed to helping artists access low-cost options to preserve and digitize audiovisual materials and in recent years, we’re only seeing that need grow,” said Vince Kelley, a volunteer with XFR Collective. “Artists who used these older video formats in the past are beginning to plan their legacies, so we’re a vital resource — not only for video artists, but dancers, performance artists and anyone who has used video as a part of their creative process. People are able to access their histories, sometimes for the first time.”
Founded in 2013, XFR Collective began as "XFR STN," an exhibition at the New Museum focused on addressing the need for artist-centered media preservation. Since then, the nonprofit has expanded its work through digitization projects, screenings, educational workshops and pop-up events.
Past collaborations include projects with dancer and choreographer Iréne Hultman Monti, El Centro: The Center for Puerto Rican Studies at the City University of New York, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute and Queens Memory, a community archiving initiative supported by Queens Public Library and Queens College.
The benefit offers Brooklyn residents an opportunity to support the preservation of audiovisual history while learning more about XFR Collective's ongoing services and future community programming.
