iylshowcase: Instant Goodbyes How many more ends of eras before the era of analogue photography actu
iylshowcase: Instant Goodbyes How many more ends of eras before the era of analogue photography actually ends, as the curtain falls on yet another film. This time around its packfilm with Fuji discontinuing the FP-100c line.Almost at the exact same time as The Impossible Project, with their take on Polaroid’s original 600 format camera, breathes life into the instant film community, FujiFilm decides to close production on the last remaining instant peel-apart film. Described by it’s inventor, Edwin Land as “An aid for memory and a tool for exploration” Polaroid inventor Edwin Land testing an early version of his ‘Instant film’Polaroid film has been utilised in the majority of the creative fields. From Robert Mapplethorpe, where polaroid offered him the freedom to develop and capture sub-cultural nudes alongside rejecting elitist mediums to Helmut Newton who’s polaroid test shoot now stand as art in their own right. The film was also adapted by others such as the film industry with departments using it for production and continuity.Famous Robert de Niro make-up test for Martin Scorsese’s 1976 ‘Taxi Driver’Following the news of growing rumors, Francesco Gasperini, from Italy, took it upon himself to petition against Fuji’s decision to discontinue the FP-100c. Standing as the last remaining film of its type to be in production after Polaroid went out of production in 2008, FP-100c has a deep history as both a process and an artifact in the evolution of a multitude of artist’s works. The petition is ongoing, with 3,296 signatures left until it reaches 25,000, however, Fuji has already responded to the cries from the analogue community, rather bluntly, with a “no” and has decided to discontinue it for good. Gasperini reached out to Florian Kaps, the founder of The Impossible Project, in attempts to have him convince FujiFilm to keep the film on the market. Kaps flew to Japan with a proposal, in which he formulated the continual support of the product and other products from the consumers and asking Fuji to sell the machinery instead of paying to destroy it, so that this cherished film format could live on. In Kaps ‘Save Packfilm Travelog No.9′, he wrote, “It just feels like fighting against a ghost, which for sure is one of Fuji’s main intentions.” So it was no surprise that their response was rather stereotypical. Unclear, and not quite answering the questions, Fuji concluded the conversation quite abruptly. The reply read disappointingly that due to “circumstances beyond our control" they [were] forced to stop production, but would “continue to support the photographic industry.” Just not in the way we’d hope.Not long after this, Fuji replied to Gasperini confirming the discontinuation of the FP-100c film, saying, “…we cannot now change our decision. Thus, we respectfully decline your proposals.” and unfortunately, they chose to bring the equipment necessary to produce FP-100c to their grave, instead of sharing the machinery in hopes of prolonging the film’s life. Thousands of FP-100c lovers from around the world signed the petition and yearned for the saving of the loved film. Mark G from Germany wrote:“digital is made to forget - analogue is made to remember - we are loosing cultural heritage, photographic DNA … please save it”Many of the commenters asked for some immortality in our constantly captured world, dismissing the constant tapping of our iPhone camera buttons and referring always to the materiality of FP-100c to the ‘playing’ and the entertainment found in this analog art form. If you want to read more about the history of pack film.. look no further. -- source link