Video History Project

People

David Gracon

David received his master's degree from the University at Buffalo in Media Study and Sociology. His production interests include documentary, experimental documentary/video, diary, and collage. He taught video and film interpretation at UB for two years, and video and sound art at the University of Rochester.

After a brief stint as the technical director of Squeaky Wheel, Buffalo Media Resources, he has since moved to Kanazawa-City, Japan to teach English and make new work. Other interests include zines, underground music, punk, activism, travel, subcultures, and this Japanese video game where the sole object is to walk a dog. He is presently at the University of Oregon.

Cite this record

"David Gracon." Video History Project, Experimental Television Center, 2011. https://www.videohistoryproject.org/david-gracon.

Download RIS citation
Summary

David Gracon received his masters degree from the University at Buffalo in Media Study and Sociology; his production interests include documentary, experimental documentary/video, diary and collage. He taught video and film interpretation at UB for two years and taught video and sound art at the University of Rochester; after a brief stint as technical director of Squeaky Wheel, Buffalo Media Resources, he moved to Kanazawa-City, Japan to teach English and make new work. Other interests include zines, underground music, punk, activism, travel, subcultures and a Japanese video game whose sole object is to walk a dog; he is presently at the University of Oregon.

Submit a change or correction

If unchecked, this will appear as a public note on the site immediately. Spam filters may delay publication, but all submissions are reviewed by staff.

Changes will be reviewed and integrated as time permits. For major changes, feel free to email [email protected].

Last modified 17 June 2011

Related records

  • Squeaky Wheel Celebrates Ten Years Groups

    Gabe Rhodes reports in Main (November/December 1996) on Squeaky Wheel/Media Resources Buffalo, founded in 1986 after Media Study Buffalo closed; Executive Director Cheryl Jackson credits NYSCA equipment grants and Hallwalls' support for growth to a 300-strong membership, youth workshops and resource rentals despite never receiving NEA funding. Squeaky Wheel taught workshops with the Albright Knox, planned citywide 10th-anniversary screenings and events for spring 1997, and faced competition from the University at Buffalo and RIT; Jackson advocated a grassroots orientation and expanded regranting, residency and distribution programs.

  • Squeaky Wheel Chronology

    Start-up funds to Squeaky Wheel media center, Buffalo; Julie Zando first director. Other Directors: Cheryl Jackson, Robbie Butler, Dorothea Braemer

  • A Squeaky History Groups

    Squeaky Wheel (also Buffalo Media Resources) formed from community meetings in 1985–87 following the 1985 closure of Media Study/Buffalo; Julie Zando was appointed director and founding members included Tony Conrad and Chris Hill. The organization operated equipment access (SWAP), workshops, internships, a weekly public-access show (Axlegrease) and the seasonal publication The Squealer (first Upstate issue 1988); it obtained NYSCA funding (initial $22,000 in 1986) and additional support from the Buffalo Foundation, Wendt Foundation, Benton Foundation and NEA to purchase equipment including a V5000 camcorder, Hi-8 gear and Macintosh computers. Squeaky Wheel occupied storefronts at 585 Potomac Avenue, 372 Connecticut Street and 175 Elmwood Avenue and organized events such as MediaBuff (1988), a Native American Film/Video Festival (1992) and a Digital Art Interactive show (1993).

  • Media Buff: Media Art of Buffalo Being In Between Bibliography

    Survey situating Buffalo as a mediating center between New York City and the wider world and documenting its independent media community centered at SUNY Buffalo's Center for Media Study, Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, and the collective Squeaky Wheel (founded 1985). The text profiles materialist practitioners (Paul Sharits, Hollis Frampton, Tony Conrad, Woody and Steina Vasulka) investigating film/video materiality; postmodern performers and installation artists (Barbara Lattanzi, Julie Zando) addressing spectator relations; and Squeaky Wheel's access initiatives (one Sony camcorder, Super 8, Video 8, Pixelvision toy camera, Axlegrease cable show, work-in-progress sessions). It also notes institutional support including the New York State Council on the Arts and exhibitions at the Johnson Museum, and references programming and criticism from Media Alliance, Chris Hill, Gerald O'Grady, and others.

  • Chris Hill People

    Chris Hill, scholar and independent consultant, received an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Photography and Media from the University of Buffalo. She has served on the Media Panel for the New York State Council on the Arts and on peer review panels for many arts or…

  • Tammy McGovern People

    Tammy McGovern is a new media artist whose videos and interactive work have been shown internationally; she currently serves as Program Associate at Squeaky Wheel. She holds a BA from the University of Buffalo and has exhibited at West Virginia University, the Malaysian Institute of Art, Squeaky Wheel, Visual Studies Workshop and Hallwalls.