Impact Visuals Photograph Collection
Scope and Content
The collection consists of photographs, slides, and negatives, as well as a limited amount of supporting materials and publications. The vast majority of the material relates to South Africa. Other African nations, Holland, Palestine, Yugoslovia, and even New Jersey in the USA are also pictured. South Africa's first interracial elections in April 1994 are particularly well represented in the collection, as are the African National Congress (ANC), Nelson Mandela and Winnie Mandela, and National Party President F.W. De Klerk. Subjects other than politics include the environment, labor, economics, health, poverty, and cultural life.
Abdul Shariff, one of the photographers who worked for Afrapix and later Impact Visuals, was killed while documenting an ANC event in January 1994. Shariff's curriculum vitae, contract with Impact Visuals, and correspondence with fellow photographer Ansell Horn document the working relationships of a South African photographer.
Dates
- undated, 1964-2000 [bulk 1983-1999].
- Majority of material found within 1983 - 1999
Access
The collection is open and available for research.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright held by
History
Impact Visuals was a New York City-based cooperative photo agency dedicated to social documentary photography. Founded by Michael Kaufman, Impact Visuals operated for 15 years until shutting down in 2001. Most of the images in this collection were obtained when Impact Visuals acquired defunct South African cooperative Afrapix's material. Afrapix was a collective, self-funded group of freelance photographers in South Africa operating between 1982-1992. A few additional images came from Southlight Photographic Agency.
Extent
6.5 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Photographs, slides and negatives primarily of South Africa and the anti-apartheid movement. Some supporting material on photo cooperatives and the shooting death of Abdul Shariff, one of the photographers represented in the collection.
Arrangement
Supporting material is located first, then all photographs are separated by photographer. Photographs are arranged chronologically with only general subject listings. The collection is not processed to the item level. Individual photographs have been captioned by the photographer.
Organization
Series I: Supporting Material, undated and 1994.
Series II: Abdul Shariff, 1990-1994
Series III: Ansell Horn, 1973-1996
Series IV: Eric Miller, 1983-2000
Series V: Rodger Bosch, 1988-1999
Series VI: Other Photographers in Alphabetical Order, 1964-1995
Acquisition Information
The material in this collection was purchased from the photographers after the dissolution of Impact Visuals in 2001.
Separated Material
Shaken Roots: The Bushmen of Namibia. Text by Megan Biesele. Photography by Paul Weinberg. EAD Publications: Marshalltown, South Africa, 1990. Dodd A4951
Abbreviations
ANC = African National Congress
AWB = Afrikaner Resistance Movement
Cape = Cape Town
COSATU = Congress of South African Trade Unions
Jo'burg = Johannesburg
MK = Mkhonto weSizwe ("Spear of the Nation"--ANC's armed wing)
NP = National Party
PAC = Pan African Congress
PAGAD = People Against Gangsterism And Drugs
SADTU = South African Democratic Teachers Union
SAF = South Africa
SPLA = Sudanese Peoples Liberation Army
SWAPO = South West African People's Party
TEC = Transitional Executive Council
UN = United Nations
WTC = World Trade Center, NYC
- Administrative records Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Color slides Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Contracts Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Correspondence Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Monographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Newspapers Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Photocopies Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Photographers Subject Source: Fast
- Photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Publications (documents) Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Title
- Impact Visuals Photograph Collection
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Archives & Special Collections staff
- Date
- 2003
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Archives and Special Collections, University of Connecticut Library Repository
University of Connecticut Library
405 Babbidge Road Unit 1205
Storrs Connecticut 06269-1205 USA US
860-486-2524
archives@uconn.edu