The Archeology of Photography Foundation has launched a pioneering project in Poland aimed at popularizing the idea of archiving photographic collections as well as locating and promoting interesting private and institutional collections. The program was launched in March 2010 and is planned to continue until October 2011. Finnish company - Nordea - is one of the sponsors.
FotoRejestr is a multifaceted project carried out in cooperation with Teknisk Museum, Norway, National Digital Archives of Poland and History Meeting House, Warsaw. Our main objectives include: developing a database of photographic collections, promoting the idea of archiving photographs, as well as fostering dialogue between the complex archive theory of today and the practice of working with private and public collections.

The project consists of the following key components:

•   Comprehensive list of photographic collections - a detailed list of photographic collections dispersed across state institutions in Warsaw (museums, archives, libraries) and, which a pioneering endeavor, private collections. The database will include: list of authors in a given collection, featured subjects, a short note about the history of the collection and its characteristic features, and practical information concerning access. The easily accessible on-line list will radically change the current state of knowledge on Polish photography resources. The launching of the first version of the list is scheduled for the end of 2010 / early 2011.

•   Dusting private archives – a social project of educational character addressed to private individuals aimed not only at raising the awareness of the need for preserving family photographic collections and preparing their digital copy, but also at creating an opportunity for displaying and promoting collections or archives left behind by photographers. The project is based on meetings taking place on every last Wednesday of each month at the Archeology of Photography Foundation, as well as presentation days the dates of which will be announced in advance.

•   Virtual exhibitions – the effects of research carried out in Teknisk Museum in Norway as well as in photographic collections in Warsaw will be made available in the form of virtual exhibitions accompanied by a commentary. The first show will be presented towards the end of 2010.

•   Exhibitions in public space – selected, most interesting and commented on, discoveries will be presented in galleries as well as the city space.

•   International academic conference – a two-day conference with world-renowned theorists will aim at summarizing the debates on archive theory of the recent years. A parallel meeting will bring together experienced practitioners representing key institutions that store photographic archives. The conference is scheduled for Spring 2011.

•   Workshop – addressed to specialists, the workshop concerning the digitizing and archive work will be conducted by experienced professionals from Poland and Norway.

•   Publications – the project will be accompanied by informational publications as well as a post-conference volume published in Polish and English.

•   FotoRejestr Platform – will serve not only as the source of information on the guidelines for digitizing, storing and researching photography, but also a meeting point for all interested in photography and its current role.

The Project is financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway within the framework of the EEA Financial Mechanism and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism.

Source: www.fotorejestr.net