PRELIMINARY INVENTORY OF THE WOLFGANG STOERCHLE PAPERS, 1952-2007, bulk 1968-1998
Finding aid prepared by Emmabeth Nanol
Descriptive Summary
Title: Wolfgang Stoerchle papers
Date (inclusive): 1952-2007
Number: 2009.M.16
Creator/Collector:
Stoerchle, Wolfgang, 1944-1976
Physical Description:
5.17 linear feet
(11 boxes)
Repository:
The Getty Research Institute
Special Collections
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, California, 90049-1688
(310) 440-7390
Abstract: The archive of conceptual, video, and performance artist Wolfgang Stoerchle documents his brief career through video and sound
recordings, correspondence, notes, clippings, and photographic materials.
Request Materials: Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the
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Language: Collection material is in Description is in
English
Biographical/Historical Note
Wolfgang Stoerchle was an important figure in the development of performance and video art in Southern California in the 1970s.
Born in Germany, Stoerchle emigrated to Toronto, Canada with his family in 1959. In 1962 he and his brother Peter rode horseback
through the United States for ten months to Los Angeles, where Stoerchle lived from 1963 to 1964.
After attending the University of Oklahoma from 1964 to 1968, Stoerchle enrolled in the MFA program at the University of California,
Santa Barbara. While there he began experimenting with performance and sound art. He performed throughout California with
Miles Varner and Daniel Lentz in a group called California Time Machine. In 1970 Allan Kaprow recruited Stoerchle to teach
in the Post-Studio Art program at the California Institute of the Arts. Encouraged by Nam June Paik, who was also teaching
at CalArts during this time, Stoerchle began experimenting with video. Collectively, his video works show a complete dissection
of the medium, isolating nearly every formal property of video and turning it towards often poignant efforts to capture and
contain the body.
Stoerchle was included in a number of important exhibitions in the early 1970s, including 24 Young Artists at LACMA in 1971,
the Pier 18 exhibition at MoMA, and a two-person exhibition with William Wegman at Sidney Janis gallery. He moved to New York
in 1973 and shifted his concentration from the abstract and conceptual work that had garnered so much attention, to blunt
depictions of sexuality and nudity. Stoerchle left New York by the middle of 1973.
During the last three years of his life Stoerchle moved back and forth between Mexico City, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and
Santa Fe, where he lived with his second wife, Carol Lingham, whom he married in 1974. Stoerchle continued producing art during
this time, primarily fiery abstract pencil drawings and ephemeral sculptures resembling primitive shrines and mounds. In the
fall of 1975, he presented his final performance in John Baldessari's studio. On March 14, 1976, Stoerchle died following
injuries suffered in a car accident.
Administrative Information
Access
Open for use by qualified researchers.
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Wolfgang Stoerchle papers, 1952-2007, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, Accession no. 2009.M.16
Acquisition Information
The archive was acquired from Carol Lingham in 2009.
Processing History
Vladimira Stefura processed and created a box list of the archive in June 2009. Later in 2009 and 2010 Emmabeth Nanol further
processed the archive, devised the arrangement, and expanded the box list into a preliminary finding aid under the supervision
of Andra Darlington.
Scope and Content of Collection
The archive contains documentation of work produced by Stoerchle during his short career, as well as a small amount of personal
material. A significant component of the archive is a set of half-inch open-reel tapes documenting Stoerchle's experiments
with video. In addition to his well-known works, the videos also include documentation of some of Stoerchle's lesser-known
works, such as a live performance with Viva, some of his more provocative performances, and a television "dinner" performance
produced with Allan Kaprow, Emmett Williams, and Helene Winer. Also included are audiotapes of Stoerchle's sound works and
a slide and sound installation. The archive contains a small number of works by other artists, including early video reels
by Nam June Paik and William Wegman, and sound works made by Daniel Lentz in honor of Stoerchle.
Also included in the papers is a small selection of photographs of works Stoerchle produced as an undergraduate student at
the University of Oklahoma, extensive photographic documentation of sculptures and performances he produced at UCSB, CalArts,
and elsewhere in Los Angeles, and images of drawings and sculpture he produced in Santa Fe and Mexico. Stoerchle's childhood
is represented by a few family photographs and images of drawings and sculptures he made in his youth.
Among the limited correspondence are letters received by Stoerchle, personal letters between Stoerchle and his wife, Carol
Lingham, and letters to Lingham following Stoerchle's death, including some lengthy remembrances by friends. The archive also
contains an extensive set of press clippings about Stoerchle during his lifetime. Much of the archive was assembled by Lingham
after Stoerchle's death.
Arrangement
Organized in four series:
Series I. Personal files, 1952-2007;
Series II. Documentation of artworks, 1968-1975, undated;
Series III. Materials about Stoerchle, 1965-2006, undated;
Series IV. Audiovisual materials, 1970-2006, undated
Indexing Terms
Subjects - Names
Stoerchle, Wolfgang, 1944-1976
Subjects - Topics
Performance art--California--Los Angeles
Video art--California--Los Angeles
Genres and Forms of Material
Correspondence--20th century
Performance art--20th century
Photographic prints--20th century
Photographs, Original
Sound recordings--20th century
Video art--20th century
Videotapes
Contributors
Kaprow, Allan
Lentz, Daniel, 1942-
Paik, Nam June
Wegman, William
Williams, Emmett
Winer, Helene, 1946-
Container List
Series I.
Personal files,
1952-2007
Physical Description:
0.6 linear feet
(2 boxes)
Scope and Content Note
This series contains correspondence, notes, marriage and death certificates, photocopies of childhood photographs, items relating
to Stoerchle's car accident, and letters received by his widow, Carol Lingham, after his death. The materials were originally
assembled by Lingham in a black binder, which was dismantled for conservation purposes.
Arrangement note
Arranged chronologically.
Box 1, Folder 2
Legal documents,
1959-1976
Box 1, 5
Trek through America on horseback,
1962-1964
Scope and Content Note
Included are fake newspaper articles and several clippings from small-town newspapers related to Stoerchle's horseback trip
across the United States.
Box 1, 5
Portraits of Stoerchle,
circa 1970
Box 1, Folder 4
Black and white photographs
Box 1, Folder 5
Stoerchle's notes,
1971-1975
Scope and Content Note
Folder also contains Stoerchle's address book from 1971.
Box 1, Folder 6
Correspondence,
1975-1996
Scope and Content Note
Includes letters to Carol Lingham years after Stoerchle's death.
Box 1, Folder 7
Materials relating to Stoerchle's car accident,
1976
Box 1, Folder 8
Lingham's notes,
1996-2007
Series II.
Documentation of artworks,
1968-1975, undated
Physical Description:
2.71 linear feet
(3 boxes)
Scope and Content Note
This series primarily contains photographic documentation of Stoerchle's artworks, from an early exhibition of paintings and
sculpture to his final performance.
Arrangement note
Arranged chronologically.
Box 2, 6
Paintings and sculpture,
1968
Scope and Content Note
Exhibition at University of California, Santa Barbara Graduate Gallery.
Box 6
Slides, negatives and transparencies
Scope and Content Note
In sleeves 1-3.
Box 6
Slides, negatives and transparencies
Scope and Content Note
In sleeve 4.
Box 2, 6
Gastronomics System,
1970
Box 6
Slides, negatives and transparencies
Scope and Content Note
In sleeves 5-6.
Box 2, 6
Plaster Pieces,
1970-1971
Box 6
Slides, negatives and transparencies
Scope and Content Note
In sleeves 7-25.
Box 2, 6
Plaster Drop events,
1970-1971
Box 6
Slides, negatives and transparencies
Scope and Content Note
In sleeves 26-29.
Box 2, 4*
Ashley-Buckley-Stoerchle Sound III,
1970
Box 8, Item D2
Sound disc
Scope and Content Note
1 sound disc : 45 rpm. (2 copies)
Box 2, 6
Budd-Lentz-Stoerchle,
1970
Box 6
Slides
Scope and Content Note
In sleeves 30-31.
Box 2, 6
Exchange of Clothes event,
1970
Scope and Content Note
At Storke Plaza, University of California, Santa Barbara.
Box 6
Slides, negatives and transparencies
Scope and Content Note
In sleeves 32-35.
Box 2, 6
Arm Wrestling,
1970
Scope and Content Note
With Robert Morris at Butler Gallery, Santa Barbara.
Box 2, Folder 9
Newspaper clippings and photographs
Box 6
Slides and transparencies
Scope and Content Note
In sleeves 36-40.
Box 2, 6
Video works,
1970-1972
Scope and Content Note
See also boxes 8-10 for related audiovisual materials.
Box 6
Slides, negatives and transparencies
Scope and Content Note
In sleeves 41-47.
Box 2, 6
Light Piece,
1972-1973
Scope and Content Note
At California Institute of the Arts.
Box 6
Slide and negatives
Scope and Content Note
In sleeves 48-49.
Box 2, 6
Attempt Public Erection,
1972
Box 6
Negatives
Scope and Content Note
In sleeve 50.
Box 2, 6
Pomona College performance,
1972
Box 6
Transparency
Scope and Content Note
In sleeve 51.
Box 6
Slide
Scope and Content Note
In sleeve 52.
Box 2, 6
Wolf on table - jumping off,
1972
Box 6
Negatives
Scope and Content Note
In sleeve 53.
Box 2, 6
Last performance,
1975
Scope and Content Note
At John Baldessari studio.
Box 6
Slides and transparencies
Scope and Content Note
In sleeves 54-56.
Box 6
Slides and negatives
Scope and Content Note
In sleeves 57-59.
Box 2, 6
Miscellaneous,
1970, undated
Box 6
Negatives
Scope and Content Note
In sleeves 60-61.
Box 2, 5
Stoerchle's original sketches,
1975
Series III.
Materials about Stoerchle,
1965-2006, undated
Physical Description:
0.44 linear feet
(1 box)
Scope and Content Note
This series contains newspaper articles and clippings relating to Stoerchle's exhibitions, as well as other artists' works
about Stoerchle, including a retrospective exhibition in 1996.
Arrangement note
Arranged chronologically.
Box 3, Folder 1
Newspaper clippings,
1965-1972, undated
Scope and Content Note
Folder includes newspaper reviews of Stoerchle's performances: Video Works at the Janis Gallery (1970-1971) and Art as Illusion
at Pomona College Gallery (1972).
Box 3, Folder 5
Elizabeth Gilchrist,
1979-1998
Box 3, Folder 6
Centre national d'art contemporain de Grenoble,
1996-1997
Series IV.
Audiovisual Materials,
1970-2006, undated
Physical Description:
2.02 linear feet
(4 boxes)
Scope and Content Note
The bulk of this series contains audio and video materials relating to Stoerchle's works, including the video artworks themselves,
recordings of performances, and video from a retrospective exhibition organized after his death. Also included are audio recordings
of Daniel Lentz's "Requiem of Wolfgang Stoerchle."
Arrangement note
Arranged according to medium.
Box 6-8, 11
Sound recordings,
1976-2006, undated
Box 7, Item D1
Daniel Lentz, "On the Leopard Altar,"
2006
Scope and Content Note
1 compact disc, 4 3/4 in.
Box 8, Item C1
Daniel Lentz, "Requiem: In Memoriam Wolfgang Stoerchle,"
1976
Scope and Content Note
1 sound cassette, 3 7/8 x 2 1/2 in.
Box 8, 6
"Stereo soundtrack for slide piece,"
undated
Box 8, Item R1
Audio recording
Scope and Content Note
1 sound tape reel, 7 in.
Box 6
Slide
Scope and Content Note
In sleeve 62.
Box 8, Item R2
"Soundtrack for live performance,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 sound tape reel, 5 in.
Box 11, Item D2
Ashley, Buckley, Stoerchle, Mills College,
Sound III,
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 sound disc : 45 rpm (2 copies). Contents: side 1. Match I (2:20); side 2. Match II (2:38).
Box 11, Item D3
Daniel Lentz,
After Images,
1981
Scope and Content Note
1 sound disc : 33 1/3 rpm. Contents: side 1. Slow Motion Mirror (4:20); Midnight White (3:10), Solar Cadence (4:46); side
2. Dancing on the Sun (12:11).
Box 9-10
Video recordings,
1970-1972, undated
Box 9, Item V1
"Sue Turning 000-285, Walla Walla 285,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape.
Box 9, Item V2
"Close up Sketching, Shoot with Different Sound Tracks, Scraping Things off the Wall,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape.
Box 9, Item V3
"Empty The Ring Stuff #475, New drafting, New undressing,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape.
Box 9, Item V4
"Hypnosis piece 11. Ultra, Humphrey, Peter,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape.
Box 9, Item V5
"John's Outline (look up),"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape.
Box 9, Item V6
Untitled,
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape.
Box 9, Item V7
"A.T.E. No.1 Dinner Party,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape.
Box 9, Item V8
"Video works,"
1970-1972
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, b&w, 1/2 in. tape. Contents: 1. Running with light; 2. Dirt blowing; 3. Dirt through window; 4. Box dropping;
5. Girl by ladder; 6. Shoe piece; 7. Walking upside down; 8. Running upside down; 9. Penis; 10. Penis with Disney characters.
Box 9, Item V9
"Good tape (performance),"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape.
Box 9, Item V10
"Color (Penis),"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape.
Box 9, Item V11
"[...] movement [...] loft (Finding [...]),"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Some text on the label is illegible.
Box 9, Item V12
"Ultra interview ( [...] - Writer),"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Some text on the label is illegible.
Box 9, Item V13
"Short pieces,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Contents: 10. Running with light; 11. Dirt blowing; 12. Sitting on TV; 13. Running upside down;
14. Penis; 15. Disney toys; 16. Drawing; 17. Black & white roll; 18. Crawling out of cloth.
Box 9, Item V14
"Good tapes,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape.
Box 9, Item V15
"Theory testing conference. Tape I. Terry Grzyb-Wysocki,"
1977 Jul 15
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Numbered on label: "1."
Box 9, Item V16
"Video Works 1970-72. Standing nude,"
1970-1972
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, b&w, 1/2 in. tape. Numbered on label: "2."
Box 9, Item V17
"Pomona Performance Piece,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Numbered on label: "3."
Box 9, Item V18
Compilation,
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Contents: Running with light; Dirt blowing; Dirt through window; Box dropping; Girl sitting by
ladder. Numbered on label: "6."
Box 9, Item V19
Compilation,
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Contents: 1. Shoe piece; 2. Walking upside down; 3. Running upside down; 4. Penis; 5. Penis with
Disney characters. Numbered on label: "7."
Box 9, Item V20
"Video part for performance in Boston,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Numbered on label: "8."
Box 9, Item V21
Compilation,
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Contents: 1. Drawing tape; 2. Ball bouncing; 3. Small passport pictures; 4. Talking with letter.
Numbered on label: "9."
Box 9, Item V22
Compilation,
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Contents: 1. Undressing; 2. Cloth; 3. Draping; 4. MFA show; 5. Armwrestling (Morris). Numbered
on label: "10."
Box 9, Item V23
Compilation,
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. 1. Waiting; 2. Sitting in chair (27 st.); 3. Christian & Ultra. Numbered on label: "12."
Box 10, Item V24
"Food Stuff,"
1972
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Contents: 1. sandwich; 2. apple; 3. lunch; 4. dinner; 5. eating a carrot (with face in the dark);
6. apple with flashlight vertical roll. Numbered on label: "13."
Box 10, Item V25
"All Good Tape,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Numbered on label: "14."
Box 10, Item V26
"use for audio & visual com?,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Numbered on label: "15."
Box 10, Item V27
"Wolf is Dead: performances and videotapes of Wolfgang Stoerchle,"
1982
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1 in. tape. "Saturday, December 11, [1982], 8:00 pm, Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum. Transfers made by
Lentz/ Dunlap/ Erenburg 'Wolf is Dead." Title of exhibit. Also title of Requiem by Lentz"--label.
Box 10, Item V28
"William Wegman, John Baldessari,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape.
Box 10, Item V29
"Hot Dogs for Gaughin,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape.
Box 10, Item V30
"Bill Viola, Stuart Birnbaum, Lowell Darling, Nam June Paik,"
undated
Scope and Content Note
1 videoreel, 1/2 in. tape. Contents: 1. Bill Viola,
Return; 2. Bill Viola,
Information; 3. Stuart Birnbaum
Depression; 4. Lowell Darling
L.A. Acupuncture; 5. Nam June Paik
Global Groove.
