The BFI Are Creating A Criterion Collection Of Memes

The British Film Institute preserves film history and restores works for future audiences. A new initiative will collect internet memes as part of documenting the evolution of online moving image culture. The BFI Replay portal offers a growing selection of widely recognized viral works, including cartoon loops, widely shared videos, and misidentified celebrity reaction gifs. Each entry includes supplemental commentary from art critics or from the original creators. The project aims to assemble a mosaic of internet media rather than only saving the most viral clips. It also requires permission and creator involvement to obtain raw files, including locating creators and ensuring long-term file availability.

"Curatorially, I suppose the objective of this project has been an attempt to capture what the world of online moving image has brought to the wider story of filmmaking, says BFI archivist Will Swinburne in a video from the Institute. So that might mean hugely important cultural moments, that might mean things everyone would recognize."

"Available through the BFI's Replay portal, you can explore a growing selection of what the Institute deems essential, viral works. This ranges from Mr Weebl's famed 'Badgers' cartoon loop, "Charlie bit my finger" and that gif of a nodding Robert Redford that everyone mistakes for Zach Galifianakis. Like a Criterion closet of memes, each entry includes supplemental commentary, either from art critics or the people responsible for these clips gurgling up online in the first place."

"The BFI emphasize that it's not merely a matter of preserving the most viral clips, but assembling a mosaic of the internet that unfurled into the one we have today. Cartoons, commentary, DIY tutorials, ASMR roleplays, music videos, machinimas and YouTube poops are all viable elements in the chemistry of the world wide web."

"It's also not as simple as making a YouTube playlist. The BFI is also seeking permission and involvement from the creators of these videos to submit the raw file. A dual challenge of finding some of these eclectic individuals and praying they've held on to a hard drive for 30 years."

Read at Kotaku