Smithson, Robert, b. 1938 d. 1973
Painter, SculptorTx. (Show Bio)
Robert Smithson and Nancy Holt papers, 1905-1987
76.2 linear ft. (partially microfilmed on 6 reels)
Addition: ca. 13.1 linear ft.
Reel(s): 3832-3837
REELS 3832-3837: Biographical material, undated and 1905-1973, including a resume, engagement calendars, 1966-1973, and Smithson's funeral register; financial material, undated and 1967-1976, consisting of a loan agreement and receipts for supplies; correspondence, undated and 1961-1984, including letters from Carl Andre, Gyorgy Kepes, and Sol Lewitt and others; six interview transcripts, undated and 1969-1973; writings, undated and 1961-1975, by Smithson and by others; project files, undated and 1966-1973, containing letters, writings, drawings, printed material, and photographs, pertaining to various art projects by Smithson; a scrapbook of clippings and notes, 1966-1972; clippings, undated and 1963-1985; exhibition announcements and catalogs, undated and 1959-1985; books, 1958-1981; photographs, undated and 1955-1964, of a trip to New Jersey with Howard and Dale, of the planetarium, and of works of art by others; and 2 pins saying "Artoficial" from the N.E. Thing Co., and geometric units for a logic test.
UNMICROFILMED: Financial records (1 ft.; access restricted), including Smithson's and Holt's cancelled checks, 1962-1968; statements of stock dividends, 1964- 1971; receipts, 1965; and income tax information and forms, 1963-1972 including statements and land deeds generated by the estate of Ernest M. Holt. Other material includes a letter to Holt from Florence R.; Holt's grant application to NEA, 1986; a handwritten outline of a film; a drawing of Ann Tobin, 1974, possibly by Holt; 6 motion picture film containers holding 14 work prints, 25 original rolls out, and 1 release print annotated "poor color" for the film "Pine Barrens," 1975 with VHS copy; a 1/4" sound track for "Pine Barrens," 1975; and a work print for "Sun Tunnels," 1978 with VHS copy.
Also included is Smithson's library (62 linear ft.), containing art, film, science fiction, natural history, and annotated literary magazines and books containing material of interest to Smithson; and phonograph records represent a wide range of musical styles, including classical, country, and rock.
ADDITION: Maps; photographs, among them inspirational photographs; remnants of photographs of strata for Smithson's Aspen Magazine piece; postcards from Smithson and Holt to Smithson's parents, in which they discuss their work, and other correspondence; notes and a notebook of writings by Smithson, including the first draft of Smithson's article, "Monuments of Passaic"; photocopy of a letter from Carl Andre to "Saul"; art work; a project proposal by the English Art and Language artist Terry Atkinson; artifacts; 12 vol. of books on art, science, and the earth from Smithson's library; and three transcripts of interviews with Robert Smithson, 1971-1973. Transcripts consist of a 1971 question and answer session at the National Institute of Chicago regarding "Swamp" and "Spiral Jetty", a 1973 radio interview with Dr. Stella Russell in New York, and a 1973 interview with two unidentified students in Smithson's studio.
Donated by Nancy Holt, Robert Smithson's widow, 1986-2005.
How to Use this Collection
- Entire collection: Authorization to publish, quote or reproduce requires written permission from: Nancy Holt, Nancy Holt, 16 Camino Libre, Galisteo, New Mexico, 87540.
- Microfilmed portion must be consulted on microfilm. Use of unmicrofilmed material requires an appointment.
Addition: Unmicrofilmed, use requires an appointment.
Financial records (Unfilmed, 1 ft.): ACCESS RESTRICTED; written permission required. - Microfilm reels 3832-3837 available for use at Archives of American Art offices and through interlibrary loan.
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