Willie Varela Papers, ca. 1960-1995

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Summary

Creators:
Varela, Willie.
Extent:
6.5 linear ft.
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

Correspondence, manuscripts and publications of essays in support of Super-8 film and of the media arts, scripts, notebooks, clipping files, exhibition flyers and books, journal publications, audiotapes of interviews (four of Varela, three by Varela of Paul Sharits, Stan Brakhage, and Andrej Zdravic), and videotapes.

Biographical / historical:

A prolific and noted Super-8 filmmaker, programmer, and advocate. In the 1970s and early 1980s, Varela's extensive public programming as founder and director of SWAMP-El Paso (Southwestern Alternative Media Project) became the subject of a bitter censorship struggle, receiving national attention. Since the mid-1980s, his work has become increasingly political and since 1992 he has turned to Hi-8 video as well as narrative. Throughout his career, Varela's work has explored social space and cultural identity from the perspective of a deeply historical understanding of both experimental film/video and Chicano culture in South Texas.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Website