1. Search and Browse Collections
  2. Nancy Holt Estate records, 1835, circa 1900-2014
  3. Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1966-2014

Nancy Holt Estate records, 1835, circa 1900-2014

Creator

Occupation

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.
Select containers from the following list if you want to request them for reading room use or reproduction

Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1966-2014
7.5 Linear feet
Boxes 45-52, 63

Correspondence is arranged as two subseries. Alphabetical correspondence is arranged alphabetically by individual named correspondent or is grouped with other correspondents with the same surname letter of the alphabet. Chronological correspondence is arranged as personal chronological correspondence followed by professional chronological correspondence, and is arranged roughly by year thereafter.
  • 2.1: Correspondence, Alphabetical, circa 1966-2013
  • 2.2: Correspondence, Chronological, circa 1966-2014

2.1

Correspondence, Alphabetical, circa 1966-2013
Holt's alphabetical correspondence generally tends to be personal in nature and consists primarily of letters and cards from friends with scattered drafts or copies of responses from Holt. However, correspondence may also touch on Holt's work as many of her friends were artists with whom she collaborated and corresponded about professional projects, and writers who wrote about her work and that of Robert Smithson. Additional letters from many of the correspondents represented in this subseries may be found in her professional correspondence files. Letters from Smithson to Holt include photocopies of two 1961 letters he wrote to her from Rome, Italy, and a 1968 postcard with slides attached he sent to her from Dusseldorf, Germany. Letters and postcards from artists and writers such as Lee Deffenbach, Dee Dee Halleck, Lucy Lippard, and May Stevens, document warm friendships as well as shared professional interests. Also found are substantive letters from Dennis Wheeler, the subject of Holt's film Revolve; and printouts of substantive email correspondence with writer Paul Serge.
Some of the correspondents represented here are family members, including Holt's aunt Ethel Tate, who was a subject of her film Underscan and her book Ransacked. Also found is correspondence with individuals Holt met through her spiritual practice, such as Eric Kolvig and Micah Schonberger.
Housed at the end of the subseries are the contents of a binder maintained by Holt primarily containing postcards and some individual letters and other items from artist friends dating from circa 1970s. The bulk of the postcards are from Carl Andre, but there are also postcards, letters, and other items from Don Graham, Bruce Kurtz, Sol LeWitt, Richard Serra, and Dennis Wheeler. Due to the deteriorating condition of the binder's plastic sleeves, items were removed and re-housed in folders but maintain Holt's original arrangement. Sheets of acid-free paper indicate where contents of each plastic sleeve began and ended.
Additional details are provided in the container listing.
Description Container
A, General, 1977-2009
45
18
Andre, Carl, 1970-circa 2002
45
19
B, General, 1974-2001
45
20
Badger, Elizbeth (Betty), 1979-1981
Friend of Ethel Tate
45
21
Bliss, Anna Campbell, 1974-2002
45
22
Borden, Lizzie, circa 1971-1976
45
23
C, General, 1972-2006
45
24
Cairns, Hugh, 1990-1999
45
25
Campbell, Mary, 1989-1992
45
26
Castle, Ted, 1978-2006
Castle worked with Holt on early video experiment Zeroing In
45
27
Catherine, Shaila, circa 2000-2005
45
28
Cohn-Ulpan, Josh, 1975-1976
45
29
Cole, Dominic, 1995-circa 2005
45
30
D, General, 1983-2006
45
31
Deffenbach, Lee, 1974-2001
Letters reflect their friendship and comment on Deffenbach's career with scattered photos of Deffenbach and her home and studio
45
32
Dōgu, Hikmet, circa 2002-circa 2010
45
33
Dwan, Virginia, 1978, 1992-circa 2007
Includes copies of large thumbnail images of Dwan, Holt, Smithson and others from 1969-1972 and Dwan from 2001-2007
45
34
E, General, 1978-2003
Includes an artist book by Barbara Fisher
45
35
F, General, 1966-2007
45
36
Finkel, Bruria and David, circa 1993-1998
45
37
Fiore, Robert (Bob), circa 1973-1998
45
38
Fox, Judy, 1980-1993
45
39
G, General, 1966-1999
45
40
Gildzen, Alex, circa 1975-1998
45
41
Graham, Don, 1977-1985
45
42
H, General, 1964-2002
45
43
Halleck, Dee Dee, circa 1975-2009
45
44
Hammond, Harmony, circa 1994-2013
45
45
Hanson, Larry and Virginia Zaknich, circa 1979-1993
45
46
Hawkes, William (Bill), 1982
45
47
Hawkes, William (Bill), 1983-2003
45
48
Hemschemeyer, Judy, 1987-circa 2005
45
49
I, General, 1973-2009
Includes copies of correspondence with Will Insley regarding exchange of artwork by Insley for artwork by Robert Smithson.
46
1
Irland, Basia, circa 1995-2009
46
2
J, General, 1986-2002
46
3
Jeff, 1982
Mail art item
46
4
Jonas, Joan, circa 1974
46
5
K, General, 1973-2005
46
6
Katz, Leandro, circa 1980s-1995
46
7
Kolvig, Eric, 1998-2009
46
8
Kolvig, Eric, 2010-2013
46
9
Kurtz, Bruce, 1974-1977
Includes snapshots of Kurtz and Nancy Holt next to a cake with Sun Tunnels model on top.
46
10
L, General, 1978-2005
46
11
Larson, Kay, circa 1980-1999
46
12
Leider, Philip, circa 1973-1978
46
13
LeWitt, Sol, 1973-1995, 2007
46
14
Lippard, Lucy, circa 1968-2013
Primarily short correspondences in the form of postcards and special occasion cards from Lippard.
46
15
Lister, Ardele, 1975-1994
46
16
Longo, Robert, circa 1976
46
17
Lopez, Dorothy (Holt's Aunt), 1982-1987
Family news
46
18
Lopez, Dorothy (Holt's Aunt), 1988-1995
46
19
Lopez, Dorothy (Holt's Aunt), 1996
46
20
Lovelace, Carey, 1992-circa 2000
See also Stuart, Michelle
46
21
M, General, 1967-2013
46
22
Marsh, Stanley, Oversized, 1973-1982
63
1
Miss, Mary, 1993-2013
46
23
N, General, 1974-2006
46
24
O, General, 1973-2008
46
25
O'Toole, Eoin, circa 1982-1984
O'Toole worked with Holt on Sole Source
46
26
O'Toole, Eoin, 1985-1988
46
27
P, General, 1976-2004
46
28
Paul, Serge, 2006-2007
46
29
Paul, Serge, 2007
46
30
Paul, Serge, 2007
46
31
Paul, Serge, 2007-2008
46
32
R, General, circa 1975-2013
46
33
Rauhala, Osmo, circa 1988-2010
46
34
Rosen, Nancy, 1976-1977, 2012
46
35
Rosenberg, Avis Lang, 1978-1980
46
36
Roth, Moira, 1976, 2002-2009
46
37
Russell, Ken Lloyd, 1999-2003
46
38
S, General, 1973-2012
46
39
Schonberger, Micah, 1997-1999
46
40
Serra, Richard, 1973-1985
46
41
Smithson, Robert, 1961, 1968
1961 letters are photocopies of 2 letters Smithson wrote to Holt from Rome; 1 1968 item is a postcard with slides attached from Dusseldorf.
46
42
Stevens, May, 1997-2011
Includes poems by Stevens and photos of Stevens and Holt
46
43
Stuart, Michelle, circa 1978-2013
See also Lovelace, Carey
46
44
T, General, 1975-2007
46
45
Tate, Ethel (Holt's aunt), 1967, 1975-1979
46
46
Thacher, Anita, 1992-2005
46
47
V-W, General, 1970-2003
46
48
Walker, Victor, 1989-2012
46
49
Wheeler, Dennis, circa 1966-1975
46
50
Wheeler, Dennis, 1976-1977
47
1
Williams, Alena, 2005-2013
47
2
Y-Z, General, 1978-2005
47
3
Binder Contents, 1971-1983
47
4
Binder Contents, 1971-1983
47
5
Binder Contents, 1971-1983
47
6
Binder Contents, 1971-1983
47
7

2.2

Correspondence, Chronological, circa 1966-2014
While many of the letters in this series are requests for information with scattered responses from Holt, such as letters seeking directions to Sun Tunnels, or are from other artists seeking Holt's interest in and/or opinions of their work, the series also includes substantial documentation on many aspects of Holt's career. Letters can be cross-referenced with project files to provide additional context and information on specific projects. For example, many of the letters from the mid-1980s relate to Holt's proposed Sky Mound and her project Dark Star Park with her accompanying video Art in the Public Eye: The Making of Dark Star Park. Overall, professional correspondence also includes the following: permissions for use and reproductions of Holt's and Smithson's papers, artwork, film, video, and photographic material; reviews and other writings about Holt's and Smithson's work or about Holt's own writings; records of exhibitions in which Holt and/or Smithson were represented including transactional records of gifts and loans; grant applications and responses; documentation of Holt's efforts in seeking commissions and projects and her participation in professional events such as conferences and symposia; and records of financial and other business matters.
The series includes scattered correspondence with Virginia Dwan and Dwan Galleries, and John Weber Gallery and relates primarily to the art market for Holt's and Smithson's work and Holt's role in overseeing Smithson's estate. Letters in this series may include enclosures of printed material, writings, and photographs.
Also found here are greeting cards, including holiday and birthday cards, sent to Holt over the course of about five decades.
Description Container
Personal Correspondence, undated
47
8
Personal Correspondence, circa 1966-circa 1968
47
9
Personal Correspondence, 1973-1976
Includes photo sent from "Alice" in a folder labeled as reference material for Holt's "Locators."
47
10
Personal Correspondence, 1977-1980
47
11
Personal Correspondence, 1981-1984
47
12
Personal Correspondence, 1985-1988
47
13
Personal Correspondence, 1990-1995
Includes snapshots of Holt's New Mexico home and of Holt in her garden
47
14
Personal Correspondence, 1996-1998
47
15
Personal Correspondence, 1999-2000
47
16
Personal Correspondence, 2001-2005
47
17
Personal Correspondence, 2006-2013
47
18
Personal Correspondence, Cards, circa 1970s-circa 1980
47
19
Personal Correspondence, Cards, 1980s
47
20
Personal Correspondence, Cards, 1990-1995
47
21
Personal Correspondence, Cards, 1996-1998
47
22
Personal Correspondence, Cards, 1999-2001
47
23
Personal Correspondence, Cards, 2002-2003
47
24
Personal Correspondence, Cards, 2004-2005
47
25
Personal Correspondence, Cards, 2006-2007
47
26
Personal Correspondence, Cards, 2008-2009
47
27
Personal Correspondence, Cards, 2011-2012
47
28
Personal Correspondence, Cards, 2013
47
29
Professional Correspondence, 1972
47
30
Professional Correspondence, 1972
47
31
Professional Correspondence, 1973
47
32
Professional Correspondence, 1973
47
33
Professional Correspondence, 1974
Relates to Art Park and includes color photographic print of Hydra's Head
47
34
Professional Correspondence, 1974
47
35
Professional Correspondence, 1975
48
1
Professional Correspondence, 1975
48
2
Professional Correspondence, 1975
48
3
Professional Correspondence, 1976
48
4
Professional Correspondence, 1977
48
5
Professional Correspondence, 1977
48
6
Professional Correspondence, 1977
48
7
Professional Correspondence, 1978
48
8
Professional Correspondence, 1978
48
9
Professional Correspondence, 1978
48
10
Professional Correspondence, 1978
48
11
Professional Correspondence, 1979
48
12
Professional Correspondence, 1979
Includes transcript of conversation between Holt and Marjorie Welish about Holt's exhibition at 10 Bleecker
48
13
Professional Correspondence, 1979
48
14
Professional Correspondence, 1979
48
15
Professional Correspondence, 1980
48
16
Professional Correspondence, 1980
48
17
Professional Correspondence, 1980
48
18
Professional Correspondence, 1981
48
19
Professional Correspondence, 1981
48
20
Professional Correspondence, 1981
48
21
Professional Correspondence, 1982
48
22
Professional Correspondence, 1982
48
23
Professional Correspondence, 1982
48
24
Professional Correspondence, 1982
48
25
Professional Correspondence, 1983
48
26
Professional Correspondence, 1983
48
27
Professional Correspondence, 1983
48
28
Professional Correspondence, 1983
48
29
Professional Correspondence, 1984
49
1
Professional Correspondence, 1984
49
2
Professional Correspondence, 1984
49
3
Professional Correspondence, 1984
49
4
Professional Correspondence, 1985
49
5
Professional Correspondence, 1985
49
6
Professional Correspondence, 1985
49
7
Professional Correspondence, 1985
49
8
Professional Correspondence, 1985
49
9
Professional Correspondence, 1986
49
10
Professional Correspondence, 1986
49
11
Professional Correspondence, 1986
49
12
Professional Correspondence, 1986
49
13
Professional Correspondence, 1986
49
14
Professional Correspondence, 1987
49
15
Professional Correspondence, 1987
49
16
Professional Correspondence, 1987
49
17
Professional Correspondence, 1987
49
18
Professional Correspondence, 1987
49
19
Professional Correspondence, 1987
49
20
Professional Correspondence, 1988
49
21
Professional Correspondence, 1988
49
22
Professional Correspondence, 1988
49
23
Professional Correspondence, 1988
49
24
Professional Correspondence, 1988
50
1
Professional Correspondence, 1988
50
2
Professional Correspondence, 1989
50
3
Professional Correspondence, 1989
50
4
Professional Correspondence, 1989
50
5
Professional Correspondence, 1989
50
6
Professional Correspondence, 1989
50
7
Professional Correspondence, 1990
50
8
Professional Correspondence, 1990
50
9
Professional Correspondence, 1990
50
10
Professional Correspondence, 1990
50
11
Professional Correspondence, 1990
50
12
Professional Correspondence, 1991
50
13
Professional Correspondence, 1991
50
14
Professional Correspondence, 1991
50
15
Professional Correspondence, 1991
50
16
Professional Correspondence, 1992
50
17
Professional Correspondence, 1992
50
18
Professional Correspondence, 1992
50
19
Professional Correspondence, 1992
50
20
Professional Correspondence, 1992
50
21
Professional Correspondence, 1993
50
22
Professional Correspondence, 1993
50
23
Professional Correspondence, 1993
50
24
Professional Correspondence, 1994
50
25
Professional Correspondence, 1994
50
26
Professional Correspondence, 1995
50
27
Professional Correspondence, 1995
51
1
Professional Correspondence, 1995
51
2
Professional Correspondence, 1996
51
3
Professional Correspondence, 1996
51
4
Professional Correspondence, 1996
51
5
Professional Correspondence, 1996
51
6
Professional Correspondence, 1997
51
7
Professional Correspondence, 1997
51
8
Professional Correspondence, 1997
51
9
Professional Correspondence, 1997
51
10
Professional Correspondence, 1998
51
11
Professional Correspondence, 1998
51
12
Professional Correspondence, 1998
51
13
Professional Correspondence, 1998
51
14
Professional Correspondence, 1999
51
15
Professional Correspondence, 1999
51
16
Professional Correspondence, 1999
51
17
Professional Correspondence, 1999
51
18
Professional Correspondence, 1999
51
19
Professional Correspondence, 1999
51
20
Professional Correspondence, 2000
51
21
Professional Correspondence, 2000
51
22
Professional Correspondence, 2000
51
23
Professional Correspondence, 2000
51
24
Professional Correspondence, 2001
51
25
Professional Correspondence, 2001
51
26
Professional Correspondence, 2001
51
27
Professional Correspondence, 2002
52
1
Professional Correspondence, 2002
52
2
Professional Correspondence, 2003
52
3
Professional Correspondence, 2004
52
4
Professional Correspondence, 2004
52
5
Professional Correspondence, 2004
52
6
Professional Correspondence, 2005
52
7
Professional Correspondence, 2005
Includes 1 electronic disk.
52
8
Professional Correspondence, 2006
52
9
Professional Correspondence, 2007
52
10
Professional Correspondence, 2008
52
11
Professional Correspondence, 2008
Correspondence with Alena Williams and other material relating to 2007 Holt interview with James Meyer and William's book and planning for the exhibition Sightlines.
52
12
Professional Correspondence, 2009
52
13
Professional Correspondence, 2009
52
14
Professional Correspondence, 2009
Includes printed material and draft manuscripts and lecture notes found with 2009 business correspondence
52
15
Professional Correspondence, Dark Star Park Anniversary, 2009
52
16
Professional Correspondence, 2010
52
17
Professional Correspondence, 2010
52
18
Professional Correspondence, 2010
52
19
Professional Correspondence, 2010
52
20
Professional Correspondence, 2010
52
21
Professional Correspondence, 2011
52
22
Professional Correspondence, 2011
52
23
Professional Correspondence, 2012
52
24
Professional Correspondence, 2013-2014
52
25

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.