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World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

When we think of heritage, we tend to imagine historic sites and museums full of shiny artefacts. Rarely do we think of films, radio and television as key components of our documented history, or that they might be on par with tangible collections. However, with the advance of technology in the 20th and 21st centuries our primary source for records are now audiovisual in nature. It might seem like these formats are easier to preserve, being digital or stored on enormous servers, but important recordings and moving images can often be destroyed through deliberate harm, neglect or when technology becomes obsolete. That’s why UNESCO have dedicated a whole day to the promotion and preservation of audiovisual heritage.

Studio MB have worked with a range of clients who have asked us to bring their own archival film and imagery to life. One such project was the Al Salam Palace Museum, which charts the history of Kuwait through the lives of its fifteen rulers. Each of the nine galleries have audiovisual displays which incorporate footage and imagery from hundreds of archival sources. Studio MB managed nearly 1,500 assets including imagery, film, documents and recordings, many of which have never been seen before by the general public. Our content team reached out to over 45 cultural or archival institutions to conduct research and procure assets. Of special interest is the footage obtained from the collection of Muhammad Husain Qabazard who directed the first Kuwaiti documentary film using archive footage from the Kuwait Oil Company.

One of our partners in creating these extraordinary audiovisual displays was ISO Design, a digital media and software studio based in Glasgow. The Al Salam Palace Museum was our largest joint venture to date. In the past, we've collaborated with ISO on a number of projects, such as the Titanic Belfast Visitor Experience and an exhibition on the Lindisfarne Gospels at Durham University. Working alongside our content team and 3D designers, ISO created stunning films which used archival material to tell the story of Kuwait as a nation. Take a look at the video below to see how the Al Salam Palace, destroyed in the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, can be explored through the innovative use of audiovisual heritage.

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