Collection Information

Size: 12 videocassettes (Beta) (circa 20 min. each): sd., col. : 1/2 in.

Format: Originally recorded on 12 videocassettes. Duration is 4 hr.

Summary: An interview of George Tsutakawa conducted by his daughter Mayumi Tsutakawa for the Archives of American Art, filmed in Tsutakawa's home and studio in Seattle, Washington and at three of his fountain sculpture sites.

He discusses his youth and early education in Japan, demonstrates Sumi painting, and describes early Seattle art communities and University of Washington classes. He recalls his WWII experiences and his friendship with Mark Tobey and others, and explains the origins and evolution of fountain sculpture. Paul J. Karlstrom of the Archives of American Art introduces and concludes the interview.

Provenance

This interview is part of the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and administrators. Funding for this interview was provided by a grant from Warner Communications. This interview was followed up in 1988 by documenting Tsutakawa's return to Fukuyama, Japan to dedicate a major work for the city's new museum of contemporary art (cataloged separately under George Tsutakawa in Japan video project), and used in the documentary "George Tsutakawa: An Artists' Pilgrimage" c1990 by the Archives of American Art (cataloged separately).

Use requires an appointment.

Authorization to publish, quote or reproduce must be obtained from: Archives of American Art.

Quotes and excerpts must be cited as follows: Oral history interview with George Tsutakawa [videorecording], 1987 June 26-27. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.