Image Bank Archive Exhibition at KW Institute in Berlin

The KW Institute for Contemporary Art in Berlin showcases 'Image Bank', marking the most extensive retrospective of the groundbreaking Canadian collective established in 1970 by Michael Morris, Gary Lee-Nova, and Vincent Trasov. Based in pre-internet Vancouver, Image Bank served as a global network for the exchange of images, videos, and texts through postal mail, foreshadowing modern user-generated content platforms. This exhibition features items from the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery at the University of British Columbia, including letters, photographs, videos, and a large screen. Notably, Trasov, using the pseudonym 'Mr Peanut', ran for Vancouver mayor in 1974, receiving 5,000 votes. The collective organized materials by keywords like 'Piss Pics' and '1984'. Participants include Dana Atchley, General Idea, and Robert Filliou. The exhibit is open until September 1, 2019.