Throughout its history, which began in 1983, Associação Cultural Videobrasil has amassed a significant collection composed mostly of video works and widely varied recordings (especially of performances) and productions that cast an eye on the vast and ambiguous contemporary context of the geopolitical South. Over the course of 40-plus years, the collection was built through a gradual research and databank-building process, leading up to the establishment of a digital Video Library.
Containing approximately 1561 pieces (including videos, video installations and recorded performances), 787 edited recordings and 8 Videobrasil Authors Collection documentaries, the collection is an ever-growing, ever-changing universe whose main characteristic is the fact that it is a living archive, open to being renewed and endowed with new meanings through research and artistic experimentation. As for its artwork acquisition policy, the collection incorporates productions shortlisted for the Southern Panoramas show, held biennially during the Festival via the partnership between SESC São Paulo and Associação Cultural Videobrasil, as well as works donated by artists relevant to the collection’s curating framework.
Finally, in a bid to expand this constellation of artworks and considering its archival approach, The Association keeps over 8000 items in its collection/archive, including publications from its library, printed material and unedited video footage.