15 Nov Philadelphia Organization Spotlight: Lino Kino

BY ANDRE CHERRY

The cinéSPEAK Journal publishes a monthly Philadelphia Organization Spotlight highlighting a  local film or moving image focused organization, business, or collective doing unique and  impactful work.

During the spring of 2018, Michael Ipsen noticed a lack of space for experimental artists to showcase their work in Philadelphia. This apparent need is what drove him to create Lino Kino, a Philadelphia-based media arts collective dedicated to exploring new approaches to experimental art exhibition. Ipsen currently serves as the Lino Kino (LK) Director.  

LK works toward creating an open forum for film and electronic art in the city by hosting  frequent screenings and performance events. cinéSPEAK asked Ipsen about the  organization’s vision for Philadelphia, its production studio, LKTV, and the different ways  people can get involved.

cinéSPEAK: When you identified a lack of opportunities for experimental artists to show their  art in Philly, how did you initially approach finding a solution?  

LK: My friend Boothe Carlson and I started a series of free and open public screenings to  create a space for this kind of work. The submissions screenings have taken place in all sorts  of venues around the city, and we treat them as an open forum with no restrictions on who can  show their work.

cinéSPEAK: Do you have any prior experience with video production?  

LK: My earliest experiences with video and community based art practices were thanks to my  local public access television station, where I started helping to produce programming in  middle school. Personally, I’m most proud of LKTV. It represented the opportunity to  reconstruct my most formative creative memories in a more contemporary artistic and  technological context. 

cinéSPEAK: I am curious about the meaning behind, “Lino Kino.” Can you share its origin?  

LK: “Kino” means cinema in Russian, and from a young age I noticed that people in the non- Russian speaking world like to use “kino” as a shorthand for groups, festivals, or publications that deal with experimental film and video. This is probably because some of the earliest avant garde filmmaking happened in the Soviet Union, so it’s a neat and tidy little reference that signals “what you’re about to interact with is not from the mainstream.” Lino doesn’t mean anything, we just picked it because it rhymed. 

cinéSPEAK: What is LKTV?  

LK: LKTV is a live stream video production studio. It started in January 2021 as a response to  the limitations on in-person gatherings presented by the COVID-19 lockdowns. We had been  offered a show at Automat, but quickly realized that we wouldn’t be able to have an in-person opening or let the general public into the space. The solution we devised was to transform the gallery space into LKTV.  

cinéSPEAK: What type of content did LKTV produce during that time?  

LK: We created a full month of programming that included live and pre-recorded shows made  by dozens of participants. In Summer 2021, we staged a second iteration of LKTV in HOT BED  gallery that followed a similar structure.  

cinéSPEAK: Are there any recent productions planned for LKTV?  

LK: Currently, we don’t have a set schedule of livestream, but LK members sporadically  reactivate the channel with live programming. All LKTV programming is live streamed on our Twitch page. 

cinéSPEAK: Does LK offer resources for people to create art?  

LK: While we don’t have a physical location or a communal pool of equipment, we do offer  access to a community of local artists who are open to collaboration and helping others realize  their work.  

cinéSPEAK: How can folks get involved with Lino Kino?  

LK: You don’t need any experience to get involved with LK. Participation is the only barrier for  entry. Email us at linokinovideo@gmail.com telling us that you’re interested in being a part of the group, or come to one of  our in-person meetings. You can stay updated on all our upcoming events and meetings through instagram or through our mailing list, which you can sign up for here.

cinéSPEAK: What impact do you hope your organization has in the Philadelphia community?  

LK: Empowering a broader range of Philadelphians to experiment with the moving image.  

cinéSPEAK: What is one thing the general public might not know about Lino Kino? 

LK: Despite the fact that we’ve hosted dozens of screenings, we don’t own a digital projector.  

cinéSPEAK: Does LK have any upcoming events?  

LK: Yes, we’re working on putting together a submission screening in November, as well as a  16mm screening and video installation at the DaVinci Art Alliance in December.  

Check out LK’s website and subscribe to their newsletter for more updates!  

*Featured Image: Image of a Lino Kino screening at Bok. Image credit: Michael Ipsen.

Would you like your organization to be featured in a future spotlight? Please fill out the  Philadelphia Organization Spotlight form. The cinéSPEAK Journal maintains sole discretion over  the publishing of any information provided via the form. Questions: journal@cinespeak.org.

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Andre Cherry’s love of storytelling compels him to create art. He is a cineSPEAK Fellow, background actor, and writer. His screenplays have placed within the Austin Film Festival and Stowe Story Labs. Andre, who originally hails from the Chicagoland area, quickly grew to love Philadelphia after moving to the area in 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Illinois State University. Andre is also an avid sports fan and hosts a college football podcast (The CherryPickin Podcast).