imai – inter media art institute

The imai – inter media art institute was founded in 2006 on the initiative of the city of Düsseldorf and the Cologne-based media agency 235 MEDIA. The institute is committed to the cause of furthering the distribution, conservation and communication of media art. The joint foundation is headquartered at NRW-Forum Kultur und Wirtschaft in Düsseldorf.

Collecting and distributing

The imai inventory encompasses some 3,300 audiovisual works by 240 international artists, dating from the 1960s to the present day. The imai online catalogue offers about 1,200 works for the purposes of research, loan and purchase.

Preserving and Restoring Media Art 

imai has built up considerable expertise in questions relating to the conservation and restoration of videotapes and media-based installations. The consideration of questions arising from the foundation’s extensive collection of media art have established channels of animated scholarly exchange with international institutions. By offering workshops, conferences, advisory services and case studies on the restoring of media-art installations, imai champions the cause of sustainable preservation strategies.