In a groundbreaking exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York, Mumbai-based collective CAMP is showcasing its pioneering work in experimental video storytelling. The exhibit, titled "Video After Video: The Critical Media of CAMP," features three video projects that span two decades of work, repurposing surveillance tools and TV networks into community-driven devices.

CAMP's founders, Shaina Anand and Ashok Sukumaran, have been pushing the boundaries of storytelling and archiving since the collective's inception in 2007. Their work challenges traditional notions of piracy and copyright, instead advocating for a more open and collaborative approach to media creation. In an interview, Anand and Sukumaran discussed the importance of maintaining an open digital archive, where footage that never makes it into a finished film is often the most illuminating.

One of CAMP's most notable projects is "From Gulf to Gulf to Gulf," a film that presents a portrait of sailors navigating the Indian Ocean using cellphone videos. The project began when Anand and Sukumaran encountered sailors in the UAE who were sharing videos of their journeys via Bluetooth. The resulting film is a poignant exploration of the lives of these sailors, with a focus on the ephemeral nature of the videos themselves.

CAMP's commitment to archiving is evident in their online archive, Pad.ma, which contains footage that was not included in finished films. This approach challenges traditional notions of piracy and copyright, instead recognizing the value of the footage itself, regardless of its original purpose. Anand and Sukumaran argue that this approach is particularly important in countries like India, where piracy has played a vital role in the development of the tech sector.

The collective's work also explores the concept of participatory filmmaking, where the subject has a significant degree of authority over their own image. This is evident in projects like "Khirkeeyaan," which created video portals between neighbors and community centers using CCTV cameras. The result is a network that is both neighborly and collaborative, with participants taking an active role in shaping the narrative.

CAMP's innovative approach to filmmaking and archiving has far-reaching implications for the way we think about storytelling and media creation. By challenging traditional notions of piracy and copyright, and instead advocating for a more open and collaborative approach, CAMP is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in community-driven media.

The "Video After Video: The Critical Media of CAMP" exhibition is on view at the Museum of Modern Art in New York until July 20th, offering a unique opportunity to experience CAMP's groundbreaking work firsthand.