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  2. Leo Castelli Gallery records, circa 1880-2000, bulk 1957-1999
  3. Series 8: Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films, 1969-1998

Leo Castelli Gallery records, circa 1880-2000, bulk 1957-1999

Creator

Occupation

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Series 8: Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films, 1969-1998
5.6 Linear feet
Boxes 170-174, 214, OVs 279-281

Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films was established in 1974 as a joint business venture between Leo Castelli Gallery and Sonnabend Gallery to promote and distribute art films and videos. They soon expanded to represent over 35 visual media artists and 400 videos and films, including artists Bruce Nauman, Robert Rauschenberg, Richard Serra, William Wegman and Lawrence Weiner. Many works distributed by Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films were shown at the Leo Castelli Gallery, as well as throughout the United States and internationally. After Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films closed in 1985 the Leo Castelli Gallery took over the administration of distributing and marketing existing films for their artists. Many of the actual recordings are found in Series 12, Sound and Video Recordings.
Records include correspondence, administrative files, exhibition files, artists' files, printed materials, sales and rental records, photographs, and financial records. Additional materials related to Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films, especially records relating to individual artists and those created after 1985, are found throughout other series in the collection.
The series is arranged as 8 subseries:
  • 8.1: Correspondence, 1972-1996
  • 8.2: Administrative Files, 1969-1997
  • 8.3: Exhibition Files, 1971-1998
  • 8.4: Artists' Files, 1969-1989
  • 8.5: Printed Materials, circa 1974-1987
  • 8.6: Rentals and Sales Records, 1973-1994
  • 8.7: Photographs, 1969-1985
  • 8.8: Financial Records, 1976-1990

8.1

Correspondence, 1972-1996
This subseries contains business correspondence regarding film showings, rentals and sales, film production, and other aspects of operations. Folders are arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent.
Description Container
General Correspondence, 1987-1996
170
1
Centre Georges Pompidou, 1994
170
2
DuMont, 1982
170
3
Kos, Paul, 1972-1974
170
4
Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), 1979-1984
170
5
Oldenburg, Claes, 1974-1975
170
6
Poncy, Pat [Edward Ruscha], 1995
170
7
Rauschenberg, Robert, 1982
170
8
Snow, Michael, 1976-circa 1982
170
9
Video Data Bank, 1985-1988
170
10
Zimmerman, Vernon [Claes Oldenburg], 1974-1976
170
11

8.2

Administrative Files, 1969-1997
Administrative files document daily operations of Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films and include materials related to advertising , contracts, scattered business correspondence, film production materials, and shipping records. Also found are account sheets and disassembled binders documenting the purchase and rental of films and videotapes by Castelli/Sonnabend artists from 1974-1985. Folders are arranged alphabetically by subject.
Description Container
Addresses, circa 1974-1985
170
12
Advertising and Video Services, 1978-1985
170
13
Advertising and Video Services - Brochures, circa 1980s
170
14
Art/Tapes, 1974-1979
170
15
Artist Contract - Draft, 1975
170
16
Artist Contracts (Signed), 1975-1976
170
17
Artists Accounts, circa 1974-1985
170
18
Artists Works Account Sheets: Acconci-Grisi, 1974-1985
170
19
Artists Works Account Sheets: Harvey-Palestine, 1974-1985
170
20
Artists Works Account Sheets: Rainer-Weiner, 1974-1985
170
21
Arts Council of Great Britain, 1980
170
22
Bonded Services, 1986
170
23
Copyright, 1971-1973
170
24
Description of Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films, circa 1980s
170
25
Diamonstein, Barbaralee, 1978-1986
170
26
Diamonstein, Barbaralee - "Inside New York's Art World,", 1976-1980
170
27
Distribution Agreements - Art Metropole, 1981-1983
170
28
Distribution Agreements - MOMA, 1982-1983
170
29
DuArt Film Labs, 1987-1988
170
30
Electronic Arts Intermix, 1985-1988
170
31
Farewell Letter to Artists, 1985, June 20
170
32
Film and Tape Rentals and Sales 1975, 1974-1976
170
33
Film and Tape Rentals and Sales 1976-1979, 1976-1980
2 Folders
170
34-35
Film and Tape Rentals, 1985-1989
170
36
Film Ledger Binder [1], circa 1975-1986
2 Folders
170
37-38
Film Ledger Binder [2], circa 1977-1985
2 Folders
170
39-40
Films and Tapes Purchased, 1974-1985
170
41
Films and Tapes Rented, 1980-1985
2 Folders
170
42-43
Graham, Dan, circa 1969-1985
171
1
Haxton, David, 1976-1986
171
2
ICA Videotape Project, 1978
171
3
In and Outs, 1990-1997
171
4
Inquiries, 1985-1989
171
5
Instruction Manuals, circa 1974-1985
171
6
Insurance, 1983-1988
171
7
Insurance Policies, 1974-1988
171
8
Jonas, Joan, circa 1973
171
9
Kos, Paul, 1969
171
10
Loan Agreements, 1972-1983
171
11
Martin, Katrina - "Hanafuda: Jaspar Johns,", 1981-1982
171
12
Media Alliance, 1982-1984
171
13
Nauman, Bruce, circa 1979-1987
171
14
Nauman, Bruce - Film and Video Inventory, 1988-1997
171
15
Nauman, Bruce - "Good Boy, Bad Boy,", 1985-1987
171
16
Nauman, Bruce - "Rats and Bats,", 1988
171
17
Nauman, Bruce - "Violent Incident,", 1986
171
18
New Video Independent Distribution Project, 1984-1985
171
19
Notes, circa 1990s
171
20
Oldenburg, Claes, 1970-1993
171
21
Ortoleva, Michael, circa 1974-1985
171
22
Osiris Media Projects, Inc., 1977
171
23
Osiris Media Projects, Inc. - Artists Media Projects, 1977
171
24
Osiris Media Projects, Inc. - Artists Media Projects Correspondence, 1977
171
25
Osiris Media Projects, Inc. - Artists Media Projects Proposals, 1977
171
26
Production Costs, 1977-1980
171
27
Purchase and Rental Fees, circa 1979-1996
171
28
Purchase Requests, 1978-1982
171
29
Purchaser Contracts - Drafts, circa 1971-1985
171
30
Rauschenberg, Robert, 1980-1987
171
31
Received and Returned Forms, 1985-1988
171
32
Registry Film and Videotapes [Binder], 1971-1990, 1995-1997
2 Folders
171
33-34
Rental Agreements for Canada, circa 1974-1985
171
35
Rental/Purchase Account Sheets, 1985, January
171
36
Rental/Purchase Account Sheets - Blank, circa 1974-1985
171
37
Resumes, circa 1981-1983
171
38
Ruscha, Edward, 1980, 1988
171
39
Sampler Tape, circa 1972-1985
171
40
Serra, Richard, 1972-1988, 1997
171
41
Serra, Richard - Film Descriptions, circa 1974-1980
171
42
Serra, Richard - Interview, 1979
171
43
Shipping, 1982-1985
171
44
Smith, Michael, circa 1983-1984
171
45
Smith, Michael - "It Starts at Home,", 1982
171
46
Snow, Michael, circa 1974-1985
171
47
Sonnier, Keith, circa 1977-1985
171
48
Storage - Masters, 1983-1986
171
49
Video Data Bank - Artist Contracts, circa 1985
171
50
Video Data Bank - Contracts, circa 1985
171
51
Video Data Bank - Distribution, 1985
171
52
Weiner, Lawrence, circa 1979-1989
171
53
Weiner, Lawrence - "A First Quarter,", circa 1972
171
54
Weiner, Lawrence - Film and Video Descriptions, circa 1983
171
55
Weiner, Lawrence - "Plowmans Lunch,", circa 1982
171
56

8.3

Exhibition Files, 1971-1998
Exhibition files include correspondence, film descriptions, invoices, sketches, postcards and invitation cards from Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films for films and tapes exhibited at the Leo Castelli Gallery and other galleries. Of interest are receipts from the production of Barbaralee Diamonstein's "Inside New York's Art World" interview series. Exhibitions held at Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes + Films are filed first, followed by exhibitions held at other galleries. Folders are then arranged alphabetically by artist's last name or exhibition name, and chronologically by date of the exhibit. Additional photographs of exhibitions are found in Series 3, Exhibition Files.

8.3.1

Castelli Gallery, 1971-1986
Description Container
420 West Broadway (Sept 25-Oct 19, 1971), 1971
171
57
420 West Broadway (Dec 2-20, 1978), 1978
171
58
Diamonstein, Barbaralee - Receipts and Invoices, 1977-1982
171
59
Diamonstein, Barbaralee - "Inside New York's Art World" (Jan 22-26, 1980), 1979-1980
171
60
Diamonstein, Barbaralee - "Inside New York's Art World," Invoices, 1976-1979
171
61
Diamonstein, Barbaralee - "American Architecture Now" (Nov 29-Dec 6, 1980), 1980
171
62
Diamonstein, Barbaralee - "Visions and Images" (Nov 17-21, 1981), 1981-1982
171
63
Diamonstein, Barbaralee - "Interior Design: The New Freedom" (Oct 16-23, 1982), 1982
171
64
Diamonstein, Barbaralee - "Handmade in America" (Oct 29-Nov 5, 1983), 1983
171
65
Diamonstein, Barbaralee - "Color Videotape Show" (Oct 4-11, 1986), 1986
(Oversized material housed in Box 214, Folder 1)
171
66
Exhibition Postcards, 1973, 1976, 1981-1984
171
67
Smith, Michael - Castelli Graphics (May 11-Jun 30, 1983), 1983
171
68
Weiner, Lawrence - "A First Quarter" (Mar 14-16, 1973), 1973
171
69
Diamonstein, Barbaralee - "Color Videotape Show" (Oct 4-11, 1986), 1986
(Oversized material from Box 171, Folder 66)
214
1

8.3.2

Other Galleries, 1972-1998
Description Container
Centre Georges Pompidou, 1994-1998
172
1
Nauman, Bruce - "Rotating Glass Walls," Museum Boymans-van Beuningen, 1980
172
2
Nauman, Bruce - Galerie Yvon Lambert, 1987, February
172
3
Nauman, Bruce - "Violent Incident," The Saatchi Collection, 1987, April
172
4
Nauman, Bruce - "Clown Torture," Phoenix Biennial (Aug 22-Oct 4), 1987
172
5
Nauman, Bruce - The New Museum, 1987
172
6
Nauman, Bruce - Museum of Contemporary Art (Feb 16-Apr 10, 1988), 1987
172
7
New American Video Art (Whitney Museum), circa 1984
172
8
Serra, Richard - Film Forum, 1979
172
9
Sonnier, Keith - "1 to 2000,", 1972
172
10
Sonnier, Keith - "Retrospective at PS#1" (Apr 10-Jun 5, 1983), 1983
172
11
Sonnier, Keith - Hara Museum, 1984
172
12
"Ten Years of Video - The Greatest Hits of the 70s" (New England Foundation), 1983-1985
172
13
"TV: Through the Looking Glass" (Media Alliance), 1985-1987
172
14

8.4

Artists' Files, 1969-1989
Artists' files document Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films artists through clippings, exhibition programs and postcards, film announcements, film reviews, posters, press releases, and scattered photographic material. Folders are arranged alphabetically by the artist's last name. These files overlap and complement the Leo Castelli Gallery Artists' Files.
Description Container
Acconci, Vito, 1974
172
15
Diamonstein, Barbaralee, 1980
172
16
Emshwiller, Ed, circa 1980
172
17
Jonas, Joan, 1972-1975
(Oversized material housed in OV 281)
172
18
Kos, Paul, 1969-1974
(Oversized material housed in Box 214, Folder 2)
172
19
Morris, Robert, circa 1974-1983
(Oversized material housed in OV 279)
172
20
Nauman, Bruce, circa 1974-1986
(Oversized material housed in OV 280)
172
21
Oldenburg, Claes, 1974-1982
172
22
Rauschenberg, Robert, 1974-1986
172
23
Ruscha, Edward, 1980-1988
172
24
Serra, Richard, 1974-1989
172
25
Serra, Richard - Clippings, 1972-1981
(Oversized material housed in Box 214, Folder 3)
172
26
Smith, Michael, 1981-1984
(Oversized material housed in OV 281)
172
27
Smith, Michael - Clippings, 1976-1988
(OV material housed in Box 214, Folder 4)
172
28
Snow, Michael, 1974-1982
(OV material housed in Box 214, Folder 5)
172
29
Sonnier, Keith, 1974-1983
172
30
Viola, Bill, circa 1977
172
31
Weiner, Lawrence, 1974-1989
(OV material housed in Box 214, Folder 6)
172
32
Kos, Paul, 1969-1974
(OV material from Box 172, Folder 19)
214
2
Serra, Richard - Clippings, 1972-1981
(OV material from Box 172, Folder 26)
214
3
Smith, Michael - Clippings, 1976-1988
(OV material from Box 172, Folder 28)
214
4
Snow, Michael, 1977
(OV material from Box 172, Folder 29)
214
5
Weiner, Lawrence, 1979-1982
(OV material from Box 172, Folder 32)
214
6
Jonas, Joan - Posters, 1975
(Oversized material from Box 172, Folder 18)
OV 281
Morris, Robert - Posters, 1982
(OV material from Box 172, Folder 20)
OV 279
Nauman, Bruce - Posters, 1981, 1986
(OV material from Box 172, Folder 21)
OV 280
Smith, Michael, 1983-1984
(OV material from Box 172, Folder 27)
OV 281

8.5

Printed Materials, circa 1974-1987
Printed materials include announcement postcards, catalogs, press releases, film festival programs, newspaper clippings, and posters. Folders are arranged alphabetically by type of material.
Description Container
Announcement Postcards, circa 1981, 1987
172
33
Announcements - Other Galleries, circa 1982-1986
(Oversized material housed in Box 214, Folder 7)
172
34
Catalogs, 1974-1975, 1982
172
35
Catalogs - Other Galleries, 1983-1986
172
36
Clippings, 1980-1981
172
37
Clippings - Advertising, circa 1980s
(Oversized material housed in Box 214, Folder 8)
172
38
Journals, 1983
172
39
Posters, 1980
(Oversized material housed in OV 280)
172
40
Purchase Cards, circa 1974-1985
172
41
Various Printed Materials, 1977, 1982
172
42
Announcements - Other Galleries, 1982, 1986
(Oversized material from Box 172, Folder 34)
214
7
Clippings - Advertising, circa 1980s
(Oversized material from Box 172, Folder 38)
214
8
Posters, 1980
(Oversized material from Box 172, Folder 40)
OV 361

8.6

Rentals and Sales Records, 1973-1994
Rentals and sales records include payments to artists, invoices and receipts, and contracts with purchasers.
Description Container
Accounts with Artists, 1975-1986
172
43
Invoices - Lost Causes, 1973-1983
172
44
John Weber Gallery - Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty and Nancy Holt's Swamp, 1975-1982
172
45
Purchase and Rental Invoices and Receipts, 1974-1982, 1994
172
46
Purchaser Contracts (Signed) - Artists Acconci-Freed, 1975-1985
172
47
Purchaser Contracts (Signed) - Artists Girouard-Morris, 1975-1985
172
48
Purchaser Contracts (Signed) - Artists Nauman-Smith, 1975-1986
172
49
Purchaser Contracts (Signed) - Artists Smithson-Weiner, 1975-1985
172
50
Royalty Payments, 1985-1987
172
51

8.7

Photographs, 1969-1985
Found here are photographs slides, negatives, and transparencies of stills from films and videos primarily by artists associated with Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films. The bulk of the materials are black and white photographs, most of which contain some identifying information written on the back of the photo. Folders are arranged alphabetically by artist's last name, then by artwork title.
Description Container
Benglis, Lynda, circa 1974-1985
173
1
Chamberlain, John, circa 1974-1985
173
2
Emmett, Herman, circa 1974-1985
173
3
Fox, Terry, 1974
173
4
Gillette, Frank, 1975
173
5
Graham, Dan, circa 1974-1985
173
6
Morris, Robert, circa 1970s
173
7
Nauman, Bruce, circa 1970s-1980s
173
8
Nauman, Bruce - Slides and Negatives, circa 1970s-1980s
173
9
Oldenburg, Claes, 1969-circa 1982
173
10
Paik, Nam June, 1974
173
11
Rauschenberg, Robert, circa 1974-1985
173
12
Serra, Richard, circa 1974-1985
3 Folders
173
13-15
Serra, Richard - "Prisoner's Dilemma,", circa 1974-1985
173
16
Serra, Richard - "Railroad Turnbridge,", circa 1976-1985
173
17
Serra, Richard - Slides and Negatives, circa 1977
173
18
Smith, Michael, 1979-1984
173
19
Snow, Michael, circa 1974-1985
173
20
Sonnier, Keith, circa 1974-1977
173
21
Unidentified Film Stills, circa 1974-1985
173
22
Vasulka, Woody, 1973
173
23
Weiner, Lawrence, circa 1974-1981
173
24

8.8

Financial Records, 1976-1990
Financial records include paid bills dating from 1983-1984, invoices, bank check stubs, and tax returns. Many of the bills appear to be bills of the Leo Castelli Gallery, but may have been paid by Castelli/Sonnabend Tapes and Films. Folders are arranged alphabetically by type of material.
Description Container
Accounting Issues, 1976-1979
174
1
Accounts Payable/Receivable, 1978
174
2
Bills - 142 Greene St., 1983, February-December
174
3
Bills - A, 1983, February - 1984, January
2 Folders
174
4-5
Bills - American Express, February 10 - June 30, 1983
174
6
Bills - American Express, July 1 - December 31, 1983
174
7
Bills - B, 1983, January - 1984, January
2 Folders
174
8-9
Bills - C, 1983, January - 1984, January
2 Folders
174
10-11
Bills - Al. Charyn, Inc., 1983, February-December
174
12
Bills - Combined Network Inc., 1983, February-December
174
13
Bills - Con Edison, 1983, February - 1984, January
174
14
Bills - D, 1983, February - 1984, January
174
15
Bills - F, 1983, January - 1984, January
2 Folders
174
16-17
Bills - Federal Express, 1983, February - 1984, January
174
18
Bills - G, 1983, February - 1984, January
174
19
Bills - Globe Mail Agency, 1983, February - 1984, January
174
20
Bills - H, 1983, January - 1984, January
174
21
Bills - Richard Haymes and Company, 1983, February-November
174
22
Bills - I, 1983, February - 1984, January
174
23
Bills - J, 1982, October - 1983, November
174
24
Bills - K, 1983, February-December
174
25
Bills - L, 1983, February - 1984, January
174
26
Bills - Ray La Chapelle and Sons, Inc., 1983, February - 1984, January
174
27
Bills - Lebron Bros., Inc., 1983, February - 1984, January
174
28
Bills - M, 1983, January - 1984, January
2 Folders
174
29-30
Bills - Modernage, 1983, February-November
174
31
Bills - N, 1983, February - 1984, January
174
32
Bills - Visa, 1983, February-October
174
33
Broadway Lumber Company Account, 1986
174
34
Check Stubs - Nov 83-Dec 85, 1983-1985
174
35
Corporation Franchise Tax Form, 1984
174
36
Invoices, 1985-1989
174
37
Invoices - Huemark, 1985-1987
174
38
Invoices - New York Unemployment Insurance Division, 1984-1990
174
39
Invoices - Video D, 1985-1990
174
40

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.