U.S. Fulbright Scholar David Gracon continues his dialogue driven series “Exit Strategies: Critical Dialogues and Alternative Media” with a documentary screening, talk and discussion at Transilvania University of Brașov.
Volume 2: Space and Place: Music Subcultures and Vinyl Record Culture in the U.S. (Documentary Screening and Discussion)
Featuring a screening of the documentary video Walls of Sound — A Look Inside the House of Records (2012/63 Minutes/Microcosm Publishing) by director/U.S. Fulbright Scholar Dr. David Gracon (in-person). The video is an ethnography of independent record store culture in Eugene, Oregon. Followed by a community discussion.
Brasov record seller and organizer of vinyl shows, Alexandru Dragonescu, of The Resonance Box (Cutia De Rezonanta) will also join the Q/A for a Romanian vinyl cultural perspective.
Date/Time: December 19th, 2023. 18:00-20:00.
Location: N Building, Room NI 16, Transilvania University of Brasov
Documentary Description:
Walls of Sound — A Look Inside the House of Records (2012/63 min./Microcosm Publishing) is a feature length documentary video that explores the House of Records, a brick-and-mortar independent record store based in Eugene, Oregon since 1972.
The video is an ethnographic study that combines interviews with the owner, employees and dedicated customers of the store. Their stories and observations are often imbued with a quirky sense of humor, biting intelligence and a deep admiration for the store and independent culture. The video addresses the cultural significance and various folkloric narratives of the store on a number of levels. It explores how the store provides cultural diversity and alternative media, as they cater to the musical fringes and a broad range of musical styles not widely available at other retail outlets. It is argued the store is akin to a “library” and acts as an archive of obscure and out-of-print music, where the store-workers share their musical expertise with the customers (and vice versa). The video also addresses the importance of the vernacular (or handmade) design of the physical space (the store is situated in an old house) and tangible musical artifacts, especially the “resurgence” of vinyl records. Lastly, it addresses the importance of face-to-face interaction as the store acts as a community gathering space between the store-workers, customers and local music scenes — one that is ostensibly anti-corporate, fiercely local and subcultural in scope.
Video Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L_YoaQLoZk
Webpage: https://houseofrecords.wordpress.com/
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Dr. David Gracon is a U.S. Fulbright Scholar and visiting professor of media studies at Transilvania University located in Brasov, Romania with a project focused on critical media literacy education. His research/creative and teaching interests include critical media literacy, the political economy of media, alternative media and documentary film. He was previously a Fulbright Scholar in Ukraine (2017-2018) and has served as a faculty member at Eastern Illinois University and Gonzaga University. He is currently developing an educational startup: Media Literacy Access Initiative (MLAI). His film and video works have been screened at the Chicago and Seattle Underground Film Festivals and within 50+ other venues.
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