About this project

In 1981 a group of artists, activists, and scholars pioneered a truly radical public access show that engaged in thoughtful, highly inventive media criticism by challenging both the form and content of broadcast television. In its beginnings, PTTV focused demystifying the economic, political and social power structures perpetuated through the hierarchies inherent in the mainstream media. Soon Paper Tiger developed a devoted following in both academic and activist communities and garnered attention in the traditional art world.

Today we have a completely new media landscape, rife with opportunities for innovation and collaboration. What lessons can we learn from the Paper Tiger’s pioneering television show that combined activism, critical analysis, grassroots journalism and participatory aesthetics through a collective process?

From February 2012 through May 2012 PTTV will celebrate its 30 years! This 4 month project will include two days of screenings at MoMA, anniversary broadcasts on Public Access stations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, as well as panels and workshops at cultural institutions, universities, and creative spaces throughout New York City.

As part of our Anniversary we are creating a Tiger Zine and a Catmap that documents and celebrates PTTV's contributions to media practice, and provides an illustrated story map poster with highlights of Paper Tiger activity over the years.

Another major component of our celebration will be "Being the Media: Designing a New Rrradical Media" conference at The New School on February 10-11. Students, journalists, media scholars and the general public  will explore how PTTV challenges corporate media’s role in maintaining the power structures of our social, political and economic systems, the effects of which we’re now seeing on Wall Street and Main Street. This will become the springboard for creating a prototype for a new radical media. Working in teams, participants will be challenged to find inventive ways to use digital platforms to compile information/ideas into an accessible format that builds on the ideals of non-hierarchical-participatory culture, critical analysis, activism and innovative aesthetics. We believe that combining the skills and knowledge of individuals in the fields of  design, video production, journalism, digital media programming, social networking, media studies and traditional arts around these fundamental themes opens up the potential for something truly revolutionary to develop. 

Selected designs from this conference will be presented at MoMA, as a special Paper Tiger Television presentation during the Annual Documentary Fortnight 2012: MoMA's International Festival of Nonfiction Film and Media

Please support PTTV put together our 30th Anniversary celebration! The funds raised in this campaign will be used to help cover the costs of production of the zine, CATmap, events, and screenings.  All your donations are tax deductible.