MEMORY IN THE MUD: Analysis and investigation of amateur home movies damaged by flooding.

Abstract

This interdisciplinary thesis delves into not only the chemical and physical analysis of home movies, crucial for familial memories endangered by floods like the one in Emilia Romagna in May 2023, but also ethical archiving, without forgetting their emotional significance. Collaborating with the RI-PRESE archive (Venice), which mechanically cleaned and scanned the affected 8mm and Super8 films, an interview had been transcribed, hoping to describe new directories in a more “ecological” management of memories. The familial importance of these memories had been discussed with the owner of the funds during a field trip. The films were in a poor state, presenting: mud incrustation over the surface, signs of physical deformation and lacunae. As a case study, one 8mm and one super8 film, had been chosen to be further investigated. Through visual and micro surveys points of interest were selected, from over 160m of film, and then punctual non-invasive analysis techniques like FTIR, XRF mapping, and micro-Raman spectroscopy were performed to assess their condition. Samples were further examined via SEM-EDS. The aim of this experimental thesis is to not only characterise these films but also to study flooding's impact on audiovisual heritage. To simulate flood damage, films from a coherent period were artificially degraded. PH values were monitored to understand the effects of mud on these polymeric materials. An open-access vademecum will be created to aid families and archives in managing flood-related damages.