In partnership with Wallplay Network’s #onCanal project, worthless studios presents FREE FILM : CANAL, a public art project bringing together professional and amateur photographers, New York neighbors, and passersby to capture Canal street on 35mm film as its identity grows and transforms to represent more than just a chaotic marketplace.

On October 15th, 2018, worthless studios opened its doors at 318 Canal Street and began handing out free rolls of 35mm film to the first 100 qualified participants (at least 18 years of age with access to a 35mm camera). In less than a day, all the rolls were entrusted to strangers  - released into the wild.

Prompted with only the word ‘CANAL’, these novice and practicing photographers were asked to shoot their roll of film as an expression of what ‘CANAL’—the word, the place, the idea, or the memories—meant to them. If returned within 72 hours, their roll of film would be processed, scanned, and put in front of a jury for a chance to be selected for exhibition and publication.

Jury members:
Platon
James Danziger
Roya Sachs
Quentin de Briey
Adrienne Raquel
Sean Andrew Jackson
Neil Hamamoto

100 silver gelatin photographs were printed, hung and exhibited to the public. worthless studios self published a limited edition Zine to commemorate the project and share the images of the contributing photographers. The edition has since sold out.