Clients want to preserve their collections for a multitude of reasons: to elevate availability of content, obtain access to obsolete formats, and to incorporate within new projects. Recently, we have witnessed an uptick in preservation requests solely to duplicate collections out of a tear of losing the original material. These are well founded fears as water events are becoming more common in the increasingly prevalent storms and wildfires.
Earlier this year in an almost self-referential experience, we worked with the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies to preserve two 16mm films from their collection. Founded in 1983, the Cary Institute is one of the world’s leading independent environmental research organizations. The two films entrusted to us were produced when the New York Botanical Garden was custodian of the land where the Cary Institute now resides. Called the Cary Arboretum at the time, the films are a treasure trove of 70s environmentalism.
The reels were in good physical condition with only scratches and color fading as defects. Per request, we transferred the films in 10-bit uncompressed, 1920x1080 HD preservation masters and MPEG-4 web-accessible files. Cary Institute has been kind enough to allow us to share these images from their films.
“A Building in the Sun” was filmed for the Arboretum by Gary W. Griffen, a documentary filmmaker from Rhinebeck who also served as the writer and producer. Created during the two years (1975-77) it took to build the environmentally designed Plant Science Building, the film focuses on energy saving systems.
“A Gift of Land” was produced in 1976 for the Arboretum by Vision Associates of New York City, with Ann Eisner as writer and director, and Jon Fauer as director of photography. Highlighting the then current horticultural, scientific, environmental, and educational efforts occurring at the Arboretum, the movie won an award from the San Francisco International Film Festival.
