RIAMCO

Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online

For Participating Institutions

Fernando Birri Archive of Multimedia Arts - Audiovisual and Objects (Ms.2010.050.audiovisualobjects)

Brown University Library

Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Scope & content

This is Subgroup 3: Audiovisual and Objects and contains audio recordings, films, videos and objects created and collected by Fernando Birri. Birri organized his files, photographs, documents, and films in broad categories. He created the system based on how he worked and the major projects that occupied his time. He was not always consistent in the way he applied the categories to items and many naturally belong to many different categories. He chose the one most applicable. To see all the materials related to a particular topic, film, or art project the researcher is advised to consult each of the 4 Subgroups. See the Arrangement page to get an overview of his classification scheme and links to each Subgroup. Subgroup 3: Audiovisual and Objects is divided into 11 Series based on Birri's classification system. Series A: Audio – The materials here represent music that Birri simply liked, music and sounds he may have used in his films or as inspiration, and recordings of Birri reading his writings or giving a lecture. They are recorded mostly on audio cassettes Compact Discs, or LP records with a few mini audio cassettes and one digital audiotape. Series F: Films – These are originals and copies of films. The format of the films is 8mm, 16mm, or 35mm. Birri assigned a classification code to each of his films. For example, one of the copies of Los Inundados has been given the classification code F-1/4-3 where F-1 means it belongs to Series F1: Films de Fernando Birri, it is title 4 and copy 3. Brown University did not receive his entire library of films therefore the researcher will notice gaps in the sequence of the classification codes for the films. Some of Birri's films are only represented by a video copy located in Series V: Videos. To see a copy of Birri's original handwritten inventory for his films click here.

  • Series F1: Films de Fernando Birri – arranged chronologically
  • Series F2: Films con Fernando Birri - NONE
  • Series F3: Films sobre Fernando Birri - NONE
  • Series F4: Films de autores varios - There is only one film in this collection by another film maker.
Series V: Videos – The videos are on U-Matic, Betacam, VHS, DVD, Digital Betacam, one Laserdisc, and one MiniDV. Birri assigned a classification code to each of his videos. For example, one of the copies of Los Inundados has been given the classification code V-1/7-20 where V-1 means it belongs to Series V1: Videos de Films de Fernando Birri, it is title 7 and this is copy 20. Brown University did not receive his entire library of videos therefore the researcher will notice gaps in the sequence of the classification codes for the videos. To see a copy of Birri's original handwritten inventory for his videos click here for Part 1 and click here for Part 2.
  • Series V1: Videos de films de Fernando Birri – Arranged chronologically, these are video copies of the flms created by Birri.
  • Series V2: Videos con Fernando Birri – Arranged alphabetically, this series contains videos in which Birri collaborated on the production of the film or he is an actor, lecturer, or interviewee.
  • Series V3: Videos sobre Fernando Birri – Arranged alphabetically, these are videos about Birri and his films produced to honor him or highlight aspects of his career.
  • Series V4: Videos de la Escuela de Tres Mundos:America Latina y el Caribe, Africa y Asia (Escuela Internacional de Cine y TV, Cuba (EICTV)) – Arranged alphabetically this seires contains videos produced by students at this film school which was founded by Birri and Gabriel García Márquez.
  • Series V5: Videos de autores varios – Aranged alphabetically, these are films that Birri collected for his own personal use or were given to him by students and colleagues as presents or with a request that he provide a critique of their work. The letters and notes from the individuals presenting the video have been kept with the video.
Series O: Objects - This series contains prizes and awards earned by Birri, mementos from events he attended, and presents given to him by friends and colleagues.