Founded by Charles Clough and Robert Longo. 1977 funding from NYSCA for video exhibition and documentation of arts events. Installation: Video works by Dara Birnbaum, Patrick Clancy, Wendy Clarke, Brian Eno, Ken Feingold, Dan Graham, Gary Hill, Sara Hornbacher, Shigeko Kubota. Kathryn High technical director, 1979-82.

• Brief History
• Excerpts from Hallwalls Prospectus Sara Kellner, Visual Arts Director c. 1997
• Overview of History, Pamela Susan Hawkins 1998
• To visit the Hallwalls website

Brief History

Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center is a multi-disciplinary arts center in Buffalo, NY which for over 20 years has presented contemporary art to audiences in the Western New York region. Hallwalls' mission is to support the creation and presentation of new work in the visual, media, performing, and literary arts. Hallwalls is dedicated in particular to work by artists which challenges and extends the boundaries of the various art forms, and which is critically engaged with current issues in the arts and, through the arts, in society. In the past 20 years, Hallwalls has presented the work of over 7,000 artists from around the world.

In 1974, two undergraduate art students at Buffalo State College, Charles Clough and Robert Longo, hung their work and the work of their colleagues on the walls of the hall between their studio spaces in an old ice house on the West Side and opened it to the public. In the first few
years Hallwalls presented the work of artists such as Vito Acconci, Cindy Sherman, and Michael Snow; all of whom would go on to make a dramatic impact on the history of contemporary art.

In the 1980s, Hallwalls expanded its paid staff and develop distinctive programs in Exhibitions, Video, Film, Performance, Music and Literature. In this period, Hallwalls sponsored projects by artists such as Barbara Bloom, Michael Glier, and Fred Wilson. In January of 1993, Hallwalls
moved to the Tri-Main Center, a former windshield wiper factory on Buffalo's East Side, and constructed a new 11,000 square foot facility with three galleries, a cinema, performance theater, video library, editing suite, and a video viewing room designed by Vito Acconci.

In 1995 Hallwalls celebrated its 20th anniversary with an exhibition series and major publication that surveys the many artists who have presented their work at Hallwalls throughout 20 years of remarkable shifts in society and culture. This marked a crucial point in Hallwalls' history and development, and sets the stage for the next 20 years of presenting contemporary art in Western New York.
 

Excerpts from Hallwalls Prospectus Sara Kellner, Visual Arts Director c. 1997
Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center was founded in a West Side ice house in 1974 by artists as a place where artists could develop new work and where they could present the work of contemporary artists working in all media. Over the past 24 years, Hallwalls has evolved into the regions largest multi-arts center, one of the most active and programmatically diverse members of the national network of artists organizations. Hallwalls Exhibitions, Video, Film, Performance, Music, and literature programs have presented the work of over 7,000 artists from around the world. In 1996, Hallwalls published Consider the Alternatives, a 280 page book that explores Hallwalls history through the eyes of artists, staff, and audience members. From the beginning, Hallwalls has presented the work of emerging and under-represented artists in Western New York and throughout the United States and Canada, with an emphasis on supporting experimentation and new projects. Hallwalls is equally committed to presenting the work of nationally recognized artists who have not had the opportunity to present their work to Buffalo-area audiences.

While the scope of Hallwalls visual arts programming is international, many of its services are tailored to meet the particular needs of artists in Western New York. Hallwalls is located in an 1 1,000 square foot space in the Tri-Main Center, a former windshield wiper factory on Buffalo's East Side. Hallwalls has three galleries, and a 85 seat cinema, a 95 seat theater, video editing facilities, video viewing room, and video library. Hallwalls gallery is divided into three sections. The main gallery is 25 x 66, and two side galleries measure 21 x 25 and 31 x 18. The ceilings are 13 high. Floors and ceilings are made of concrete. Hallwalls provides on-site insurance through the Gallery Association (Hamilton, NY). All artists who are invited to present their work are paid a professional fee for their services. Transportation of artwork is arranged by mutual agreement between the artist and Hallwalls Visual Arts Director.

Hallwalls reviews proposals on an ongoing basis. Proposals that are not returned within a few weeks are kept on file for up to a year. Hallwalls artists files are open to all curators, and many artists on file at Hallwalls have been invited to participate in exhibitions at spaces such as Anderson Gallery, Castellani Art Museum, and the Olean Public Library. Hallwalls maintains a separate file of regional artists, the Western New York Slide File. Proposals by artists, independent curators and spaces organizing touring exhibitions are encouraged. All submissions will be reviewed for possible inclusion in solo exhibitions, group exhibitions and residencies. Hallwalls is a member of the National Association of Artists Organizations (NAAO).

Overview of Facilities
The Theater and Cinema are available for private bookings. Both are equipped with TELEX Listening assist systems for the hearing impaired. The Video editing suite is available to all artists-in-residents as well as patrons.

Paul Sharits Cinema - seat Cinema with separate projection booth. Booth includes (2) 16mm Ekie Slim Line Auto Feed projectors, 1 Emlo GS 1200 Super 8 Auto Feed Stereo Projector, Sony 3 Beam CRT Video Projector, Heath and Allen GL 1400 (14) Channel Mixer, 300 watt amp and 2x15 EAW Speakers. Decks include 3/4", Hi-8, VHS, and S-VHS with in booth monitoring.and switching.

Black and Blue Theater - Person Black Box theater. Presidium thrust stage with Access automated lighting and 14 Channel Audio mixing board amp. CD player and tape decks. Back Stage dressing room.

VIDEO EDITING SUITE. Available by appointment. Rates Vary.

Edmund Cardoni, Executive Director
Chris Borkowski, Technical Director
Sara Kellner, Visual Arts Director
Polly Little, Administrative Director
 
 

Overview of History, Pamela Susan Hawkins 1998
"Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center is a multi-disciplinary arts center in Buffalo, NY which for over 20 years has presented contemporary art to audiences in the Western New York region. Hallwalls' mission is to support the creation and presentation of new work in the visual, media, performing, and literary arts. Hallwalls is dedicated in particular to work by artists which challenges and extends the boundaries of the various art forms, and which is critically engaged with current issues in the arts and, through the arts, in society. In the past 20 years, Hallwalls has presented the work of over 7,000 artists from around the world.

In 1974, two undergraduate art students at Buffalo State College, Charles Clough and Robert Longo, hung their work and the work of their colleagues on the walls of the hall between their studio spaces in an old ice house on the West Side and opened it to the public. In the first few years Hallwalls presented the work of artists such as Vito Acconci, Cindy Sherman, and Michael Snow; all of whom would go on to make a dramatic impact on the history of contemporary art." (1)

"The art discourse of the founding group was centered on the Post Modern idiom developing at the time, and the thrust of this collaboration of artists continues to this day to be the exploration of the personal expression of the emergent independent artists as they reflect their community, activate social issues, and network with independent artists in the U.S., Canadian and international media centers.... Hallwalls often brings these artists to Western New York in collaboration with other local media and art centers such as Squeaky Wheel, CEPA Gallery, Langston Hughes Center, Albright-Knox Art Gallery, The Burchfield-Penney Center and the Department of Media Study at UB....

When Media Study/Buffalo closed its doors in 1985, Hallwalls evolved into the premier venue for local independent screenings and for a wide range of international exhibitions and screenings of the moving image. Hallwalls offers the community in addition to regular film and video screenings, a video post-production facility with internships available to artists, weekly public access show, series of performances, installations, publications, traveling exhibits, an alternative art space, and a digital facility. They are known for specialized programs dealing with issues such as feminism, sexual orientation, AIDS, abortion, and first amendment rights....

In addition to Clough and Longo, other artists who have curated programming for this remarkable institution are Kathryn High, Keith Sanborn, Tony Billoni, Steve Gallagher, Chris Hill, Catherine Howe, Barbara Lattanzi, Rene Bouissard, Jurgen Bruning, Ron Ehmke, Laura McGough, Armin Heurich, Julia Dzwonkowski, Gail Mentlik, (Andrew Deutsch) and exutive director Ed Cardoni." (5)

A 1976/77 Hallwalls Center for Contemporary Art programs brochure notes, "Hawalls occupies 6500 square feet of the Ashford Hollow Foundation's Essex Street facility. The space house(d) three exhibition rooms, performance area, projection boot, darkroom, library, and offices. Funds (were) generously granted by the New York State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, The Ashford Hollow Faoundation and Jack Griffis" The "Visits by Artists and Critics" made possible the realization of important works at Hallwalls by (artist such as) Vito Acconci, Bill Beirne, Harley Gaber, Marcia Hafif, Rita Myer and Judy Pfaff. Other visiting artists included: Lynda Benglis, Bruce Boice, James Collins, Ron Gorchov, Dan Graham, Robert Irwin, Joan Jonas, Marylin Lenkowsky, Les Levine, Lucy Lippard, Robert Mangold, Bruce Nauman, Barbara Rose, Barbara Schwartz, Richard Serra and Michael Snow." The Film and Video program was "an outgrowth of last year's (1975 or 1976) video show and the Buffalo Film Festival, organized by Larry Lundy. (The) monthly series (was) aimed at complimenting Media Stuies Inc. programs by presenting less known artists, film co-ops and their work. A special showing...devoted to documentary films arranged by Anthony Bannon (took place)." Staff was noted as: Co-directors, Charles Clough and Robert Longo; as well as Diane Bertolo, Roger Denson, Bob Dick, Lee Eiferman, Joe Hryniak, Gary Judkins, Pierce Kamke, Larry Lundy, Kevin Noble, Ann Rosen, Cindy Sherman, and Michael Zwack. (3)

"In the 1980s, Hallwalls expanded its paid staff and develop distinctive programs in Exhibitions, Video, Film, Performance, Music and Literature. In this period, Hallwalls sponsored projects by artists such as Barbara Bloom, Michael Glier, and Fred Wilson. In January of 1993, Hallwalls moved to the Tri-Main Center, a former windshield wiper factory on Buffalo's East Side, and constructed a new 11,000 square foot facility with three galleries, a cinema, performance theater, video library, editing suite, and a video viewing room designed by Vito Acconci.

In 1995 Hallwalls celebrated its 20th anniversary with an exhibition series and major publication that surveys the many artists who have presented their work at Hallwalls throughout 20 years of remarkable shifts in society and culture. This marked a crucial point in Hallwalls' history and development, and sets the stage for the next 20 years of presenting contemporary art in Western New York." (1)

Neil Zusman, a University at Buffalo graduate comments, "Buffalo was in some ways the birthplace of a postmodern movement, with the foundation of Hallwalls in 1973." (2)

A 1997 Hallwalls Video Collection listing includes works by: 8mm News Collective, Abortion Project, Vito Acconci, Act-Up, Peggy Ahwesh, Max Almy, Marina Alvarez, Amundson, Laurie Anderson, ART COM, Artists Rights Foundation, Robert Ashley, David Askizvold, Charles Atlas, Michel Auder, AV-Ark, Fritz Bacher, David Baeumler, Edward Bak, Arjay Baker, Joe Balass, Craig Baldwin, Burt Barr, BCAM, Maria Beally, Erika Beckman, Sadie Benning, Bent-TV, John Bernd, Don Bernier, Tony Billoni, Black Cat Collective, Adam Blaiklock, David Blair, Dick Blau, Barbara Bloom, Blue Man Group, Peer Bode, R. Bodolay, Eric Bogosian, Border Arts Workshop, Lorna Boschman, Lester Bowie, Joan Braderman, Chris Bratton, Brenda and Glenda Show, Tom Brener, Robyn Brentano, Rene Broussard, Jurgen Bruning, Penelope Buitenhuis, Timothy Cahill, California Newsreel, Peter Callas, COLAB, Dik Cambell, Colin Campbell, Joe Cardillo, Matt Carlos, Ann Carlson, Mike Castkeman, CCTV, Shu Lea Cheang, Yau Ching, Chix Stuff, Phyllis Christopher, Voshiko Chuma, Dave Clark, Jennifer Clark, Jenny Clark, Wendy Clark, Stan Coleman, Michael C. Collins, Michael J. Collins, Heather Connor, Tony Conrad, Cathy Cook, Lynn Corcoran, Niki Cousino, Margaret Crane, Cullyhana Justice Group, Dean Curry, Wendy Dallas, Rob Danielson, DCTV, Ed De la Torre, Helen De Michiel, Michael DeCarlo, Deep Dish TV, Amber Denker, Charles Dennis, Ghennifer Dennis, Kathy Desmond, Brendan DeVallance, Vivienne Dick, Jean Dicteau, Diderot, B. Gykes Dietze, Direct Effect, Hal B. Doc, Jonas Dos Santos, Paul Dougherty, Tony Dowmunt, Wayne Draznin, Jesse Drew, Peter Dudley, James Duesing, Dyke TV, Ethyl Eichelberger, Lee Eiferman, Valie Export, Steve Faigonbaam, Robert Fanelli, David Fasano, Federation of Feminist Women's Health Centers, Ken Feingold, Jeanne C. Finley, Karen Finley, Maureen Fleming, Thomas Florek, Richard Foreman, Herman Freed, French Pirate Radio Collective, Steve Gallager, Ilse Gassinger, Gay and Lesbian Emergency Media Campaign, Gay Men's Health Crisis, Shanna Gazit, Alex Gelenscer, Carl Michael George, Joe Gibbons, M. Giovagnoli, Barbara Golaszewski, Lynn Goldsmith, Annie Goldson, Joseph Gray, John Greyson, Al Griffin, Steve Griffith, Lisa Guido, Ernie Gusella, Phillip Haas, Martin Hallanger, Guztav Hamos, Michelle Handleman, Julie Harrison, James Hartel, Pamela Susan Hawkins, Lynn Hershman, Armin Heurich, Marc Heustis, Robert Hewitt, Sha Sha Higby, Kathy High, Highrise Group, Chris Hill, Louis Hock, Ann Hoffman, Lounett Holloway, Holly's Comets, Home of the Future TV Show, Homer, Bernadette Hoppe, Andrew Horn, Kate Horsefield, Robert Horwitz, House O' Chicks, Dale Hoyt, Holly Hughes, Hummer Television, Jerry Hunt, David Hynds, Mako Idemitsu, Cheryl Jackson, Homer Jackson, Frances James, Alan Jamieson, Japan TV, Eric Jensen, Henry Jesionka, John Jesurun, Martin Johnson, Osa Johnson, Daniel Jolliffe, Pete Jones, Bill Jungles, Alexandra Juzhas, Donna Kapa, Kartemquin Films, Keegan & Lloyd, Keller, Mike Kelley, Feeny Kelly, Deans Keppel, Richard Kern, James Klein, Terry Klein, Michael Klier, Alan Kluft, John Knecht, John Kneller, Meg Knowles, Jinhan Ko, Alex Kort, Margia Kramer, Barbara Krstanponis, George Kuchar, Tony Labat, Labor Link TV, Labor at the Crossroads, Ladd-Frith, Ladies of the Lake LADIES (ON THE STREETS), Jody Lafond, Dean Lance, Samantha Lang, Michael Langoth, Gina Latinovich, Barbara Lattanzi, Robert Lee, Sang-In Lee, Bill Leeming, Amy Lesweski, Hugh Levick, Deborah A. Levine, Lewis, Sara Lewison, M. Ligorano, Lloyd, Anne Lobst, Donald Loker, Los Angeles Video Activists, Claudia Looze, Kim Loughlin, Danny Lyon, Lypsinka, Theresa Mack, Jim Mackay, Mactown Strip, Ann Magnason, Mary Magsmen, Gail Mallimson, Dave Man, Ira Manhoff, Robert Mapplethrope (sic), Larissa Marangoni, Stewart Marshall, Charles Martin, Darrin Martin, Che Che Martinez, Michael Marton, Marian Marynski, Miya Masaoka, P.H. Masson, Paul McCarthy, Robbie McCauley, Marty McGee, Media Coalition for Reproductive Rights, Monica Melamid, Gail Mentlick, Just Merit, Alex Meyer, Anne Meyers, Migrant Media, Tim Miller, Mission Creek Video, Vincenzo Mistretta, Miran Mohrar, Monique Moumblow, James Morgan, Lars Movin, Kristine Muller, Tom Mulready, Laura Mulvey, Lee Murray, Mutant Kabuki Theater, Neighbor to Neighbor, Ben Neill, Jeff Newitt, Betsey Newman, News 101, Natasha Norelli, A. Norman, Annette Nyffeler, Michael O'Reilley, Kevin O'Shaughnessy, Dennis Oppenheim, Deborah Orloff, Florence Ormezzano, Tony Oursler, Overfoot (Jody Oberfelder-Reim Dance Company), PS. 122 Field Trips, P.S. 1 (NYC), PW4, Panorama Entertainment Group, Rotraut Pape, Paper Tiger Television, Jackie Pardon, Pete Parisi, Mary Patierno, Janice Peny, Nick Pietrocarlo, Sylvie Poirer, Jaqueline Polonko, Potato Wolf, Daniel Predmore, Cicha Przystan, Kevin Rafferty, Ramroo Productions, Karen Ranucci, Rassback, Al Razutis, M. Reese, Hester Reeve, Reprovision, Rise & Shine, James Ridgeway, Jann, Rosen-Queralt, Martha Rosler, Tom Rubnitz, Eric Saks, Scarlot Harlot, Julia Scher, Irene Schonwit, Melissa Scott, Scribe Video Center, Jesse Semple, MM Serra, Yndi Sewraj, Lucy Sexton, Ellen Shapiro, Paul Sharits, Geoffery Shea, Don Sherry, Andrew Shipin, Shock Box Studios, David Shulman, Alexander Sidoroff, Susie Silver, Paul Silverstein, Robert Simile, Jason Simon, Donna M. Simpson, Brian Smith, David Smith, Julian Maynard Smith, Ed Sobala, Ellen Spiro, Brian Springer, Helmut Stadlmann, Stadtwerkstatt TV, Tyler Stallings, Ladislaw Starewicz, Lisa Steele, Kathy Steffan, Davide Steward, STUDIO OF THE STREETS, Janos Sugar, Seth Tamarowski, Jason Tannen, TATTOO YOU, Beth Tauke, Chip Taylor, Fiona Templeton, Tereszko, Testing the Limits, THIS IS ISLAND EARTH, Leslie Thornton, Kim Tomczak, Toxxic City Video, Trust Me Productions, TV Stop, Ayanna Udongo, UNBALANCING THE NEWS, Underground Video Magazine, United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, Igor Vamos, Steina Vasulka, Maria Venuto, Virocode, Mary Anne Wagner, Lesley Wahk, Anne Wainer, Susan M. Wals, Jack Walworth, Marion Ware, Paula Watkins, Deke Weaver, Scott Webster, Peter Weibel, Barton Weiss, Rachel Weissman, West London Media, Lesly Whal, David R. Williams, Robert Wilson, Jon Winet, David Wojnarowitz, Peter Wollen, Anthony Wood, WOW Cafe, Patrick Wright, Bruce Yonemoto, Norman Yonemoto, Paul Zaloom, Julie Zando, Zapp TV, Sergei Zhego, Olga Ziangirova, Ilan Ziv, Maria Zmarz-Koczanowicz.

Artists, who worked in teams are listed separately alphabetically. This listing does not include the Media Study Buffalo Collection, tapes where only titles or curators noted, The Cattaraugus County Collection, Artwaves tapes, Performance /Music/Documentation tapes and the recent Hallwalls Residency tapes.

1. http://www.pce.net/hallwall/7.briefhist.html, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, Buffalo, New York, 1998.
2. Ed Kiegle, "Video Art Show Opens in Baldy Friday," State University of New York at Buffalo Reporter, Buffalo, Vol. 20, No. 11, November 10, 1988.
3. Hallwalls Center for Contemporary Art, 19976-77 programs brochure, Buffalo, 1976.
4. 1997 Hallwalls Video Collection, July 22, 1997.
5. Marguerite W. Knowles, "Mediascope Buffalo: The Moving Image in and around Buffalo 1970-1995," The Squealer, vol. 11, issue 2, Spring 1996, pg.7-8.
6. Ron Ehmke and Elizabeth Licata, Eds. Consider the Alternatives: 20 Years of Contemporary Art at Hallwalls. Hallwalls, Buffalo, NY. 1996.