The Input Party is a research project on the role of personal referential image archives in the process of artists.
The Input Party uses images to relate to the artist’s reference, association and visual expression and by sharing these archives with each other we learn in what way these images can be of value to the the artistic practice and to others.
We organize meet-ups between artists, workshops, studio visits and we collaborate with archival institutions to investigate the role of images in artistic research.
Interested in participating or collaborating? Send us an email at:
info[at]inputparty.nl
Or follow us on Instagram @input_party
In 2015 the Input Party was initiated by visual artist Rachel Sellem and image researcher Elki Boerdam. They both felt the need to continue the conversation about their practice after the academic setting. They started inviting groups of artistic practitioners to their studio and asked each participant to bring 10 printed referential images from their archives. By sharing these images we can find new connections, share references, gain insight in each other’s process and gather new input for our own practice. It has become a valuable tool for talking about complex concepts where the images guide us through the conversation.
In 2021 we will launch a series of artistic contributions by some inspiring people from our Input Party network and we hope to publish our publication in which the results of our research is collected this year.
Next to this we are developing a reference database on our website where interesting links, tools, archives and databases can be found to encourage the use of images during the artistic process.
Up until now the Input Party has collaborated with institutions like: The International Institute of Social History, The Sandberg Institute, Open Archief (Het Nieuwe Instituut, IISG, Nederlands Instituut voor Beeld and Geluid) and Stadsherstel.
The Input Party is kindly supported by the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts
