THE DEAD MEDIA RESIDENCY
Description:
The DEAD MEDIA Residency is the first ever video art residency offered by the Video Archaeology Lab (VAL) operated by artist Michael Chernoff. This residency is a work and educational opportunity for artists across various disciplines who are seeking, or already incorporating, analog video media, visual effects, and electronic techniques into digital media and video/film projects.
Located in Buffalo, NY, Video Archaeology is a for-profit video art studio that collects, houses, and reuses obsolete analog video technology for creative projects and practice-led research. Its privately owned and maintained AV system and equipment is used for creating immersive media installations, digital recordings, and live visual effects. VAL is primarily seeking artists to utilize its Multi-Channel AV system to create new media art, videos, digital media, and immersive experiences.
The AV system distributes and displays recorded and live media to an interconnected TV Wall, and can process video sources in real-time with modular synthesizers and mixers. Residents can also access the lab’s equipment pool which includes a variety of camcorders, security cameras, CRT and LED monitors, microphones, cables, tape decks, e-waste VHS, Windows 98 PC, and retro videogame consoles. The residency also provides a DSLR and an HD Video Camera to artists for documenting their work, process, and exhibits.
We equally encourage both experienced and emerging artists to apply. Applicants can be media artists, photographers, filmmakers, VJs, performers, and other interdisciplinary practitioners. Residents receive guided tutorials and hands-on experience to learn about using our system, and individual aspects of analog electronics, camera, screen, and synthesizer technology.
The residency will happen from June through August of 2026. Individual residencies cycles will last 10 days. Each selected candidate can receive a $1200 stipend. Artists living outside of Erie County are eligible for a housing and travel stipend as well. Couples, duos, and collectives may jointly apply but receive a single stipend award. Residents will have 24 hour access to the studio, and WiFi internet.
All residents are expected to publicly exhibit work produced from their residency, in the form of either screenings, performance, installation, artist talk etc. Residents will also plan and lead a 2 hour workshop about a technique of their choice. The VAL will work with artists to promote and facilitate all exhibits and public programming.
How To Apply:
Email us at archaeologyvideo@gmail.com with the subject: “DEAD MEDIA Residency - YourFullName” and attatch a single PDF document containing the following items:
- Letter of Intent: (Max 250 words) Describe your project idea with the following questions in mind:
- What is your interest in analog video, and what do you want to achieve?
- How would you use our AV system?
- Is there other equipment you are interested in using?
- What will your time in the residency produce?
- How do you want to publicly share new work?
- Short Workshop Proposal: A technique that you can competently offer to teach in Buffalo, NY. Include necessary materials and equipment, and general costs.
- Web Portfolio: 3-10 work titles, year, medium, and hyperlinks to internet images, video, websites, etc. Long format video content will not likely be watched in full, so send clips or time stamped sections.
- Artist(s) Bio: (100 Words)
- URL links: Professional websites, portfolios, and social media profiles
- 3 Professional References (Non-Family Members): Name, Phone Number, Email, Relationship.
Applications will close on April 6th 2026 at 11:59PM.
Recipients will be notified by May 1st. Awards will be announced on May 8th.
This residency is fiscally supported by a Potential Award Grant from the Buffalo Institute of Contemporary Art during the 2025 Generator Fund Cycle
About Me ︎ Curriculum Vitae
Project Index︎︎︎
2023
Videosphere: You’re Always On A Screen Somewhere...
Brown Bunny
Inertia
2022
MAX Jitter Programming
FxR Versus AhR
Async Rolling
Always On
Enframing Rey
The Vidiot
Computer Home Entertainment
2021
Machine Learning: ATM
Pursuing Earth
THE LIBERTARIAN
Wiley World Wide Weather
ReWind Compressor
Discarding Earth
Being A Passenger
2020
Can(t) See Me Now!
ColorPress Brush
White Ball Flux Brush
THE APP
2019
PATS
2018
Ice Cream Drone
2015
Vanilla ISIS
2017
Invisible Foci
2014
Digital Synthesis Illustration
2013
Rood World
Synthesis Ilustration
2011
Verse
Master (Series)
Video Being
2010
Dance Aches
Bangalor
︎ macherno@buffalo.edu
︎ videoarchaeology
︎ michaelchenoff
︎ michaelchernoff
︎ videosignified
︎ michaelchernoff
︎ Videosphere
©2010-2023 Michael Chernoff