PRELIMINARY INVENTORY OF THE MICHAEL CORRIS PAPERS OF THE ART & LANGUAGE NEW YORK GROUP, 1965-2002
Finding aid prepared by Laura Schroffel
Descriptive Summary
Title: Michael Corris papers of the Art & Language New York group
Date (inclusive): 1965-2002
Number: 2003.M.32
Creator/Collector:
Corris, Michael
Physical Description:
39.3 linear feet
(19 boxes, 21 flatfiles, and 3 rolls)
Repository:
The Getty Research Institute
Special Collections
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, California, 90049-1688
(310) 440-7390
Abstract: The collection documents the activities of the conceptual art group Art & Language New York. Art & Language New York challenged
the assumption that art is necessarily visual by questioning ideas of perception and the institutional stake of museums and
the art market.
Request Materials: Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the
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Language: Collection material is in
English
Biographical/Historical Note
The conceptual art group Art & Language was originally established in Great Britain in 1967 by Terry Atkinson and Michael
Baldwin. With expanding international membership and recognition for its publication
Art-Language, as well as the relocation of several members to New York, the group established a New York section in 1971 called Art &
Language New York. The papers of the Art & Language New York group were assembled by Michael Corris, an artist, writer and
key group member. Art & Language New York's participating members also included Ian Burn, Mel Ramsden, Prestin Heller, Andrew
Menard, Joseph Kosuth, and Bernar Venet. The New York group thrived from the early 1970's to its dissolution in 1977. During
that time however it was entrenched in conflict with the United Kingdom Art & Language. Art & Language New York created its
own journal called
The Fox hoping to generate more exposure than
Art-Language. Through critical dialog
The Fox meant to clarify artistic relationships between ideologies and institutions to explicate the significant differences between
the social and political conditions of New York and that of the English Midlands. Art & Language New York group also participated
in exhibitions, lectures, and was devoted to political activities. The group made significant contributions to other organizations
such as Artists Meeting for Cultural Change, Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union, and the art group Red-Herring. Art & Language
New York challenged the assumption that art is necessarily visual by questioning ideas of perception and the institutional
stake of museums and the art market. Thus the work of Art & Language New York contributed to the shaping of the practice and
theorization of the conceptual art movement, which was particularly manifested in the divergence between Art & Language New
York and Art & Language United Kingdom.
Administrative Information
Access
Open for use by qualified researchers, with the exception of unreformatted audiovisual materials.
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Michael Corris papers of the Art & Language New York group, 1965-2002, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, Accession
no. 2003.M.32
Acquisition Information
Acquired in 2003.
Processing History
In 2009 with grant funding from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), Laura Schroffel processed the collection,
made an inventory, devised the arrangement and wrote the descriptive notes under the supervision of Ann Harrison.
Separated Materials
An artist book by Bernar Venet was separated to the library.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection documents the activities of Art & Language New York. It contains correspondence, original circulated photocopies
with remarks, transcripts, typescripts, audio cassette tapes, LP records, one videotape, photographic materials, announcements,
publications, and artworks. Artworks include prints, drawings, and mock-ups. All materials in the collection were collated
by key group member, Michael Corris. Circulating projects and texts among group members was a common practice which fostered
discussion and garnered one of Art & Language's core principles of collaboration. Similarly, the many transcripts in the collection
reflect the group's discursive nature and serve as documents and summaries of their many discussions.
Series I of the collection focuses on the work of Art & Language New York's group activities from 1970 to 1976, including
projects relating to indexing and mapping systems. Art & Language's indexing pieces were originally developed for Documenta
V in 1972. Indexing and mapping projects were manifested in installations, art pieces, and publications. They comprise:
Index 001,
Index 002,
Index 003,
Blurting in Art & Language: An Index of Blurts, and
Map of Annotations. Other significant work in this series includes the group's materials associated with Art & Language New York's own publication,
The Fox. Original issues, illustrations and texts have been compiled. Art & Language New York's development of projects associated
with artistic cultural-political movements in the national and international sphere included programs in Washington 1975-1976,
Yugoslavia 1975-1976, Australia 1975-1976, and Venice, 1976. Letters, typescripts, photography and prints document their national
and international initiatives.
Series II and III contain materials related to Art & Language New York's involvement with other cultural-political groups.
Art & Language New York participated in projects with the Artists Meeting for Cultural Change (AMCC), the Anti-Imperialist
Cultural Union (AICU), and the art group Red-Herring. Significant items relating to the AMCC and the AICU are the broadsheets
Boycott this museum, 1976, Boycott this show, 1976, and several transcripts of public speeches.
Series IV comprises materials related to Art & Language following the dissolution of Art & Language New York in early 1977.
Group members both from the UK and New York continued to be active within Art & Language. They produced the retrospective
exhibition, The artist out of work: Art & Language, 1972-1981. The series contains photographs, manuscripts and files documenting
the exhibition. This series also includes illustrative contributions to Art & Language's journal,
Art-Language.
The remaining collection materials are from key artist members of Art & Language New York with files representing work by
Terry Atkinson, Ian Burn, Michael Corris, Joseph Kosuth and Bernar Venet.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in five series:
Series I. Art & Language New York, 1971-1977;
Series II. Materials relating to political/cultural organizations, 1968-1979;
Series III. Red-Herring, 1975-1981;
Series IV. Art & Language, 1977-2002;
Series V. Individual artists, 1965-2002.
Indexing Terms
Subjects - Topics
Art, Modern--20th century
Conceptual Art
Genres and Forms of Material
Audiocassettes
Correspondence
Gelatin silver prints--United States--20th century
Phonograph records
Printed ephemera
Videotapes
Contributors
Art & Language (Group)
Art & Language (New York)
Atkinson, Terry, 1939-
Burn, Ian, 1939-
Kosuth, Joseph
Menard, Andrew
Ramsden, Mel
Venet, Bernar, 1941-
Container List
Series I.
Art & Language New York,
1971-1977, undated
Physical Description:
22.2 linear feet
(11 boxes, 11 flatfiles, and 3 rolls)
Scope and Content Note
This series is comprised of materials from Art & Language New York's main projects carried out during the group's active lifespan.
The series highlights Art & Language New York's involvement and production of indexing and mapping projects, as well as work
associated with the New York group's publication,
The Fox, and the group's involvement with national and international projects.
Arrangement note
The projects are arranged chronologically as originally devised by Michael Corris.
Box 1, Folder 1-2
Dain Gallery exhibition materials,
1971, undated
Box 1, Folder 1
Exhibition of lectures,
1971
Scope and Content Note
Flyer was sent from Ian Burn to Gregory Battock.
Box 1, Folder 2
"A short introduction on the Work," flyer,
undated
Box 1, Folder 3-6
"Frameworks and Phantoms,"
1972
Scope and Content Note
Text by Michael Corris and Mel Ramsden with annotations by Michael Corris and Mel Ramsden. Includes typescripts and original
circulated photocopies.
Box 1, Folder 7-13
"The Fine Structure of Collaboration,"
1972
Scope and Content Note
Text is by Michael Corris.
Box 1, Folder 7-8
Typescript and original circulated photocopies
Box 1, Folder 11
Letter from Charles Harrison to Michael Corris
Box 1, Folder 13
Unpublished notes
Scope and Content Note
Contains Notes on Phil Sci; Notes on Teaching Programs..., Doxographical: A Study of Doctrines or Opinions, and Diana Crane:
Invisible Colleges.
Box 1, Folder 14-15
"Comparative Models II,"
1971-1972
Scope and Content Note
Includes copy of
Artforum, 1972, and photocopies of additional text and installation plan drawing.
Box 1-3, 13, 20
Annotations, indexing, and philosophy of language,
Index of 003 Bxal, and
Blurting in A&L: An Index of Blurts,
1971-1974
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfile 1**.
Box 1, Folder 16-17
T-Matrix,
1971
Scope and Content Note
By Michael Corris. Contains two copies of original circulated photocopy and two copies of notational key for T-Matrix II.
Box 1, Folder 18
"Language and Art-Language,"
1972
Scope and Content Note
Original circulated photocopy by Ian Burn and Mel Ramsden.
Box 1, Folder 19
Notes on Teaching and Learning,
1972
Box 1, Folder 20
Notes on Mapping. Transformational matrix and notational systems,
1972
Scope and Content Note
Contains typescript, autograph manuscript and original circulated photocopy
Box 1, Folder 21-22
"Problems Relating to the Organization and Formulation of a Model for a Generative System of Art,"
1972
Scope and Content Note
By Michael Corris. Contains one typescript and one original circulated photocopy.
Box 1, Folder 23
Notes on Russell, Principles of Mathematics, Carnap, Ferge and others,
1972
Scope and Content Note
Unpublished notes are by Michael Corris.
Box 1, Folder 24-25
Notes on Invisible Colleges,
1972
Box 1, Folder 26
"Art as Heuristic,"
1972
Scope and Content Note
Typescript is by Michael Corris.
Box 1, Folder 27
Notes on Philosophy of Science,
1972
Box 1, Folder 28
Notes on Style and Methodology,
1972
Scope and Content Note
Unpublished notes are by Mel Ramsden.
Box 1, Folder 29
Bibliographies of philosophy, philosophy of science and models,
1972
Box 1, Folder 30-32
Index 003 Bxal,
1973
Scope and Content Note
By Terry Atkinson, Michael Baldwin, and Philip Pilkington. Includes original circulated photocopy, photographs, and forms
for the index. Photographs are by Walter Russell with credit to John Weber Gallery. Photographs are of "Index III."
Box 1, Folder 33
Letter from Robert Cohen to Michael Corris,
1973
Box 1, Folder 34
Research notes on Philosophy of Science,
1973
Box 1, Folder 35
A Network Diagram as of Week III,
1973
Scope and Content Note
Original circulated photocopy by Michael Corris.
Box 1, Folder 36
Notes on Indexing/Information Retrieval,
1973
Scope and Content Note
Unpublished notes by Michael Corris.
Box 1, Folder 37
Blurting in Art & Language index cards,
1973
Scope and Content Note
Index cards with subject headings and cross references. Annotated by Michael Corris.
Box 2, Folder 1
Handbook,
1973
Scope and Content Note
Entries by Michael Corris. Annotations for
Handbook that is,
Blurting in Art & Language, New York: Art & Language Press and Nova Scotia College of Art & Design Press.
Box 2, Folder 2
Notes on Information Retrieval, Semantics and Pragmatics of Natural Language,
1973
Box 2, Folder 3
Notes on Annotations,
1973
Box 2, Folder 4
"Problems of Art and Language Space,"
1973
Scope and Content Note
Original circulated photocopy by Ian Burn.
Box 2, Folder 5
Notes on
Blurting in Art & Language,
1973
Box 2, Folder 6
First transcript,
1973 Sep 8
Box 2, Folder 7-9
Transcript,
1973 Sep 14
Scope and Content Note
With corrections by Ian Burn. Contains typescript and original circulated photocopy.
Box 2, Folder 10
"Assertoric Relationships,"
1973
Scope and Content Note
Original circulating photocopy by T. Smith.
Box 2, Folder 11
Third transcript,
1973 Nov 6
Box 2, Folder 12
Handbook I, excerpts from the introduction,
1973
Box 2, Folder 13
Ideal Index,
1973
Scope and Content Note
Typescript and diagram by Michael Corris.
Box 2, Folder 14
Handbook index,
1973
Scope and Content Note
Manuscript by Michael Corris.
Box 2, Folder 15
Introduction to
Handbook,
1973
Box 13, Folder 1
Audio Arts Magazine (C1),
1973
Scope and Content Note
Contains one
Audio Arts Magazine cassette tape, volume one. A tape of discussion by Art & Language.
Box 2, Folder 16
Su Braden, "Art Speaks,"
1973
Scope and Content Note
Clipping from
Time Out.
Box 2, Folder 17
Art-Language, flyer,
1973
Scope and Content Note
Listing of contents from
Art-Language journal, volume one, 1969.
Box 2, Folder 18
Blurting in Art & Language, flyer,
1973
Box 2, 20
Map of Annotations,
1974
Scope and Content Note
By Michael Corris.
Also in flatfile 1**.
Flatfile 1**
Poster and original artwork
Flatfile 1**
A term-by-term matrix of the
Handbook,
1974
Box 2, Folder 21
"Research notes on models,"
1974
Scope and Content Note
Manuscript by Michael Corris.
Box 3, Folder 1
Transcript,
1974
Scope and Content Note
Original circulated photocopy by Ian Burn, Michael Corris, and Mel Ramsden.
Box 3-4, 20
Materials relating to the concept of "mapping" discourse, the
Workbook project, and the Galleria Schema Index project,
1973-1976, undated
Box 3, Folder 4
Letter from Giancarlo Politi to Ian Burn,
1973
Scope and Content Note
The letter invites Ian Burn to participate in an exhibition coordinated by
Flash Art.
Box 3, Folder 5-6
Transcript,
1973 Dec 18
Scope and Content Note
Contains one manuscript copy and one typescript copy. The transcript details the question of the content of the handout for
Galleria Schema. The typescript copy has annotations by Michael Corris.
Box 3, Folder 7-8
Flash Art text,
1974
Scope and Content Note
Contains typescript and lithographic print by Michael Corris, Preston Heller, Andrew Menard. Annotations on typescript by
Michael Corris and Ian Burn.
Box 3, Folder 9-11
Notes on Pathways/"Going-on" in Art & Language New York,
1974
Scope and Content Note
Contains drafts one to three.
Box 3, Folder 12
Photographs Art & Language New York, Galleria Schema of installation view,
undated
Box 3, Folder 14
Worksheets for Constructing Pathways Through Blurts,
1974
Box 3, Folder 15
170 text entries for
Handbook,
1974
Box 3, Folder 16
Introduction to
Workbook,
1974
Box 3, Folder 17
Index terms for
Handbook,
1973
Scope and Content Note
Blurting in Art & Language, a Handbook.
Box 3, Folder 18
Notes on Mathematical Logic, Axiomatic Set Theory, Anti-Proceedings, and Display as Pragmatic Index,
1974
Box 3, Folder 19
Notes Relating to Pathways and the Mechanics of the Workbook,
1974
Box 3, 20
Display as Pragmatic Index,
1974
Scope and Content Note
Includes one original circulated color photocopy.
Box 3, Folder 20-22
Model and plan
Scope and Content Note
Includes plan and one original circulated color photocopy of model.
Box 3, Folder 23-24
Anti-Proceedings,
1974
Scope and Content Note
Includes drawing and typescript of display text with annotations in blue pencil.
Box 3, Folder 25
"Constituting a Pathway for a User,"
1974
Box 3, Folder 26
"Constituting a Pathway for Art & Language,"
1974
Box 20, Folder 3
Display as Pragmatic Index, scale model,
1974
Box 3, Folder 28
Notes on Display as Pragmatic Index,
1974
Box 3, Folder 29-37
Workbook,
1974
Scope and Content Note
Includes entries, introduction drafts, list of permissible choices, worksheets, and schema. Some works have annotations by
Michael Corris or Mel Ramsden.
Box 3, Folder 38
512 Blurts for
Workbook,
1974
Box 4, Folder 1-3
Notes on Pathways and Permutations,
1974
Scope and Content Note
Includes notes and notes on reference points.
Box 4, Folder 4
List of Art & Language New York projects related to Annotations,
Handbook, Pathways and
Workbook,
1974
Box 4, Folder 5
Notes on Pathway Architecture,
1974
Box 4, Folder 6-10
Workbook,
1974-1975
Scope and Content Note
Includes plan, draft of preface, a unique copy of
Workbook, French translation, and checklist for translation.
Box 4, Folder 11
Letter from Ghuslain Mollet-Vieville to Michael Corris and Andrew Menard,
1976
Box 4, Folder 12-13
Correspondence,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Letters between Michael Corris and Terry Atkinson.
Box 4, Folder 14
Checklist of equipment and visual materials for a proposed exhibition,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Unrealized exhibition of
Workbook at Gallerie Eric Fabre, Paris.
Box 4, 13
Unpublished internal documents commenting on the group's practices,
1973-1976
Box 4, Folder 15
"Systematics, Paradigms and Art Education,"
1973
Box 4, Folder 16-17
Transcript,
1973 Dec 9
Scope and Content Note
By Atkinson, Baldwin, Corris, Heller, and Menard. A discussion of elitism in the practice of Art & Language.
Box 4, Folder 18-19
Transcript,
1973 Dec 11
Scope and Content Note
With revisions by Michael Corris and Andrew Menard.
Box 4, Folder 20-21
"1.0 Respectability breeds contempt,"
1973
Scope and Content Note
With annotations on one copy by Ian Burn and on one copy by Michael Corris.
Box 4, Folder 22
Political Modalities,
1973
Box 4, Folder 23
Letter from Terry Atkinson to Ian Burden and Mel Ramsden,
1974
Box 4, Folder 24
Transcript of conversation between Ian Burn, Mel Ramsden and others,
1975
Box 4, Folder 25-26
"Strategy is political: Dear Michael...,"
1975
Scope and Content Note
Includes original circulated photocopy and typescript with comments.
Box 4, Folder 27
"Draft for Form of Organization,"
1976
Scope and Content Note
By Nigel Lendon.
Box 4, Folder 28
"Déclaration sur la structure d'organisation du collectif (provisional) Art & Language,"
1976
Box 4, Folder 29
"Phase II: The provisions," "Third Phase: Introduction,"
1976
Box 4, 13
(Provisional) Art & Language discussions,
1976
Box 4, Folder 30
Transcripts of discussions
Box 13, Folder 2-7
Audio tapes of discussion (C2-C7)
Scope and Content Note
Contains six audio cassette tapes.
Box 4, Folder 31
Letter from Ian Burn (Art & Language New York) to Art & Language (UK),
1976
Box 4, 20
Underdevelopment and cultural imperialism,
1974-1976
Box 4, Folder 32
"To the Commission of Homage to Salvadore Allende,"
1974
Box 4, 20
"Frontiers in Underdevelopment,"
1974-1975
Box 4, Folder 33-34
Draft and original circulated photocopy
Box 4, Folder 35
Letter from Elizabeth Hess to Michael Corris,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Letter is concerning payment (kill fee) for text "Frontiers in Underdevelopment," submitted for publication in journal
Seven Days.
Box 4, Folder 36
Study for cartoon,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Cartoon is in the style of James Gilray, Le boot, or the false face of bourgeois nationalism. Produced on the occasion of
Art & Language seminars at Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Halifax.
Box 4, Folder 37-39
Maryland Institute College of Art lecture, "Some Non-Visual Aspects of Art,"
1975
Box 4, Folder 37
"Some Possibilities for Learning/Some Possible Points of Reference"
Box 4, Folder 38
Press clipping
Scope and Content Note
Contains article from the
Baltimore Sun.
Box 4, Folder 39
Student newsletter
Scope and Content Note
Announcement for Art & Language lecture.
Box 4-5, 19*
The Fox,
1974-1976
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfile 2**.
Box 4, Folder 40
Issue of
The Fox,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Issue number one, volume one. Signed by the editors: Mel Ramsden, Joseph Kosuth, Sarah Charlesworth, Andrew Menard, Preston
Heller and Michael Corris.
Flatfile 2**
Posters,
1975-1976
Scope and Content Note
Posters for issues one through three.
Box 5, Folder 1
Unpublished texts,
1974
Scope and Content Note
Unpublished texts by Victor Burgin, Thierry Kuntzel, Trevor Pateman, Bernar Venet, Paul Wood and David Rushton.
Box 5, Folder 2
Layout of proposed cover design,
1974
Box 5, Folder 3
Letter from Joseph Kosuth to Michael Corris,
1975
Box 5, Folder 4
Draft for article,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Article is by Michael Corris.
Box 5, Folder 5
"New York, New York,"
1975
Box 5, Folder 6
"Soho Is Your World, Welcome to It,"
1975
Scope and Content Note
Unpublished typescript with annotations by Jill Breakstone.
Box 5, Folder 7
"From the Belly of the Behemoth,"
1975
Box 5, Folder 8-13
"Yet Another Palace Revolt in the Banana Republic?"
1975
Scope and Content Note
Includes drafts one to four, original circulated photocopy, and manuscript regarding editing of typescript.
Box 5, Folder 14
Letter from Jerry Kearns to Michael Corris,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Letter expresses interest in
The Fox, and with an invitation to the University of Massachusetts.
Box 5, Folder 15
Text for poster for issue number two,
1975
Box 5, Folder 16
Michael Corris, "A Review of Ian Wilson's Discussion at John Weber Gallery,"
1975
Scope and Content Note
Published in issue number two.
Box 5, Folder 17
Trevor Pateman, review of
The Fox,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Review for
Radical philosophy. Other Trevor Pateman work is also included.
Box 5, Folder 18
Mona da Vinci, press clipping,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Article for
Soho Weekly News.
Box 5, Folder 19
Trevor Pateman, "On Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot,"
1975
Box 5, Folder 20
Annette Kuhn, photocopy of press clipping,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Article for
The Village Voice.
Box 5, Folder 21
Copy of advertisement for issue number three,
1976
Box 5, Folder 22
Text for poster for issue number three,
1976
Box 5, Folder 23
"The Lumpen-Headache,"
1976
Scope and Content Note
Print of Art & Language key to Dramatis Personae for issue number three.
Box 5, 19*
Illustrations for
The Fox,
1975-1976
Box 5, Folder 24-27
Photographs and other materials
Scope and Content Note
Includes: General Studies meeting flyer, gallery announcement card, typeset copy, photographs, and original NEA press release.
Box 5, Folder 28-31
Australia project,
1975-1976
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfile 3**.
Box 5, Folder 28
RCA global telegram,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Telegram is addressed to Terry Smith. Pages are stamped with the Art & Language Foundation, Inc. corporate seal.
Box 5, Folder 29
Text for Australian cable,
1975
Scope and Content Note
By Michael Corris.
Flatfile 3**
Posters,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Posters for the Art Gallery of South Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria.
Box 5, Folder 30
Open letter to Art & Language New York,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Letter is by Mel Ramsden with annotations by Corris and Menard.
Box 5, Folder 31
Press clipping,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Article is by Annette Kuhn from
The Village Voice.
Flatfile 3**
Poster,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Poster for Cur, Piggy, Perfect, at the Auckland City Art Gallery.
Box 6, 20
Yugoslavia project,
1975-1976
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfiles 3**-6**.
Flatfile 3**
"Jet Lag/Culture Crash,"
1975
Scope and Content Note
Poster exhibited in Jet Lag exhibition at Turn Travel and exhibited in The Artist Out of Work exhibition at PS1.
Box 6, Folder 1
Art & Language seminar announcement,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Seminar took place at Student Cultural Center, Belgrade.
Box 6, Folder 2-4
Letters from Jasna Tijardovic and Zoran Popovic to Michael Corris,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Letters are regarding Michael Corris's activities in Belgrade.
Box 6, Folder 5
Letter from Michael Corris and Andrew Menard to Csaba Polanyi,
1975
Box 6, Folder 6
Text for
The Organisation of Culture Under Socialism,
1975
Box 6, Folder 7
Transcript of conversation at the Student Cultural Center, Belgrade,
1975
Flatfile 4**
Art & Language discussions at Student Cultural Center, Belgrade poster,
1975
Box 6, Folder 8
Issue of
Student,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Contains article on Art & Language/
The Fox and seminars at Student Cultural Center, Belgrade.
Flatfile 5**-6**
The Organisation of Culture Under Self-Management Socialism,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Prints from exhibition at John Weber Gallery and Smith College Art Gallery.
Box 6, 20
Installation photography for
The Organisation of Culture Under Self-Management Socialism,
1976
Box 20, Folder 5
Black and white negatives
Box 6, Folder 10
Smith College
Bulletin,
1976
Box 6, 20
Photography for
The Organisation of Culture Under Self-Management Socialism,
1975-1976
Box 20, Folder 6
Black and white negatives
Box 6, Folder 12
Research materials on Yugoslavia,
1975-1976
Box 6, Folder 13
Research materials for
The Organisation of Culture Under Workers' Self-Management,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Materials contain information on maps, official seals and flags of Yugoslav Federated Republic.
Box 6, Folder 14
Photography for
The Organisation of Culture Under Self-Management Socialism,
1975-1976
Flatfile 7**
Works by Yugoslavian artists relevant to cultural milieu of Belgrade,
1971-1975
Flatfile 7**
Popovic, Zoran,
1971-1975
Scope and Content Note
Contains two lithographic prints: Axioms, Za Samoupravnu Umentnost.
Flatfile 7**
Todosijevic, Rasa,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Contains two lithographic prints: Who Makes a Profit on Art, and Who Gains From it Honestly, Notes on Method.
Box 6-7, 13, 20
Washington project,
1975-1976
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfiles 2**, 8** and rolls 1**-3**.
Box 6, Folder 15
"Government and the Arts,"
1975
Scope and Content Note
Photographic print for National Endowment for the Arts broadside.
Box 6, 20
The Organisation of Culture Under Monopoly Capitalism,
1975-1976
Scope and Content Note
Also in rolls 1**-2**.
Box 6, Folder 16-19
Project materials,
1975-1976
Scope and Content Note
Includes research materials, installation photography and French translation of text.
Box 20, Folder 7
Black and white negatives,
1976
Box 6, Folder 20
Paris-Rive Gauche exhibition program,
1976
Box 6, Folder 21
Beatrice Parent, Art & Language review,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Photocopy of article, Art & Language at Gallerie Eric Fabre.
Box 6
The Organisation of Culture Under Monopoly Capitalism,
1975-1976
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfile 8** and roll 3**.
Box 7, Folder 1
Press clipping,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Clipping is from the
New York Times.
Box 7, Folder 2-6
Washington display,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Includes: text, drafts of text, bibliography and reference materials.
Box 7, 13
"How do you feel about the 'Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act'?"
1975-1976
Box 7, Folder 7-9
Videotape transcripts,
1976
Box 13, Folder 8
Videotape (V1),
1975-1976
Scope and Content Note
Contains one U-matic videocassette.
Box 7, Folder 10
Washington display,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Contains typescript and original circulated photocopy of poster text.
Box 7, Folder 11
Letter from Michael Corris to Jan Debbaut,
1975
Box 7, Folder 12
Letter from Andrew Menard to Jan Debbaut,
1976
Box 7, 20
Art & Language and
The Fox: seminars at University of Massachusetts and Smith College,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfile 2**.
Box 20, Folder 8
Black and white negatives
Box 7, Folder 14-17
Press clippings,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Includes clippings from the University of Massachusetts student newspaper and the
Daily Hampshire Gazette.
Box 20, Folder 9
"The Arts are a Growth Industry,"
1976
Scope and Content Note
Polaroids of I and II.
Box 7, Folder 18-22
Art and social practice,
Studio International,
1976
Box 7, Folder 18
Letter from Andrew Menard to Trevor Pateman
Box 7, Folder 19-20
"Exploded Manifesto"
Scope and Content Note
By Jill Breakstone, Michael Corris, Andrew Menard, and Preston Heller. Contains drafts one and two.
Box 7, Folder 21
"Now About This Storefront"
Box 7, Folder 22
Letter from Martin Newcastle to
The Fox
Box 7, Folder 23
Venice Biennale,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Contains letter from Olle Granath to Michael Corris.
Box 7, 14
Art & Language New York and (Provisional) Art & Language,
1974-1977, undated
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfiles 9**-11**.
Box 7, Folder 24
Art & Language Press envelope,
undated
Flatfile 9**
"The Scrap Heap of Modernism,"
1974-1976
Scope and Content Note
Contains a photographic print and a photo collage.
Flatfile 10**
Museum of Modern Art poster,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Art & Language at MOMA.
Box 7
"Listen,"
1975
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfile 11**.
Box 7, Folder 25
Text
Scope and Content Note
Text for "Listen" was exhibited at John Weber Gallery.
Box 7, Folder 26
"What Walter Benjamin Missed: Media as history,"
1975
Box 7, Folder 27
"Questionnaire" for Red Faces,
1975-1976
Box 14, Folder 1-2
Music-Language (D1-D2),
1976-1977
Scope and Content Note
Contains two long-playing records. One is a 1977 reissue of the 1976 release.
Box 7, Folder 30
Letter from Alberto Moretti to Michael Corris,
1976
Box 7, Folder 31-32
Letters from Ghislain Mollet-Vieville to Michael Corris,
1976
Series II.
Materials relating to political and cultural organizations,
1968-1979
Physical Description:
3.8 linear feet
(1 box, 1 flatfile)
Scope and Content Note
This series was originally titled by Michael Corris as "Materials relating to the participation of members of Art & Language
New York in Artists Meeting for Cultural Change, Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union, and other political/cultural organizations."
It documents Art & Language New York's association with the Artists Meeting for Cultural Change (AMCC) and the Anti-Imperialist
Cultural Union (AICU). AMCC provided Art & Language New York with a different platform and with new colleagues, such as Lawrence
Weiner and Lucy Lippard, to explore political cultural and artistic themes in order to provide consciousness-raising in the
art community. The groups' collaboration produced important projects such as Boycott this Museum. Similarly the AICU, headed
by Amiri Baraka, provided the opportunity for new collaborations and discussions of art politics and culture.
Arrangement note
The projects are arranged chronologically as originally devised by Michael Corris.
Box 7a, Folder 1-7
Artists Meeting for Cultural Change (AMCC),
1975-1976
Box 7a, Folder 1
"To the American Art Community from Artists Meeting for Cultural Change,"
1975
Box 7a, Folder 2
"A Tentative Position Paper,"
1976
Box 7a, Folder 3
"A Critical History of AMCC,"
1976
Scope and Content Note
Drafted by J. Breakstone, M. Corris, P. Heller and A. Menard.
Box 7a, Folder 4
"Boycott This Museum,"
1976
Scope and Content Note
Flyer boycotting the Whitney Museum is by the Artists Meeting for Cultural Change.
Box 7a, Folder 5-6
"Boycott This Show,"
1976
Scope and Content Note
Flyers boycotting the De Young Museum are by the Artists Meeting for Cultural Change.
Box 7a, Folder 7
Clipping,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Article from
Data Art, "Discriminazioni per il bicentenario."
Box 7a, Folder 8-14
Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union (AICU),
1968-1979
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfile 9**.
Flatfile 9**
Revolution is Poetry,
1968
Scope and Content Note
Broadside for volume two, number one, of
Guerilla: Free Newspaper of the Streets. Issue is devoted to the work of Amiri Baraka.
Box 7a, Folder 8
Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union flyer,
1979
Box 7a, Folder 9
Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union, organizational structure,
1975
Box 7a, Folder 10
Disco Turns Revolutionary,
1975-1976
Scope and Content Note
Flyer for the Advanced Workers, a performance group related to the AICU.
Box 7a, Folder 11-14
"Principles of the Unity of the Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union,"
1976-1977
Scope and Content Note
Includes drafts of text.
Series III.
Red-Herring,
1975-1981, undated
Physical Description:
10.3 linear feet
(4 boxes and 3 flatfiles)
Scope and Content Note
This series is a collection of work related to the New York artist group Red-Herring. Several Art & Language New York members
including Menard, Heller, and Burn were involved in Red-Herring projects. These projects are comprised of illustrations, a
poster, postcards and texts for the group's publication, also called
Red-Herring. Other materials in this series comprise contributions by the Red-Herring group to the journal,
Main Trend, which was published by the AICU.
Arrangement note
Projects are arranged chronologically as originally devised by Michael Corris.
Box 8, 20, 15*, 16*
Materials related to the publication and editorial policy of
Red-Herring,
1975-1978, undated
Box 8, Folder 1
Miscellaneous materials,
1978
Box 8, Folder 2
Drafts for editorial,
1978
Box 8, 20
Materials for photomontage,
undated
Box 8, Folder 3
Photographs and other papers
Box 20, Folder 10
Black and white negatives
Box 8, 20, 15*
New Clues Found in Realm of 'Culture Politics',
1975
Scope and Content Note
Also includes miscellaneous photographs of Washington DC.
Box 8, Folder 4
Contact print sheet and envelopes
Box 20, Folder 11
Black and white negatives
Box 15*
Photomontage
Scope and Content Note
Includes envelope signed by Michael Corris.
Box 8, Folder 5
Photograph still from
Lady in the Lake,
undated
Scope and Content Note
Obtained in 1975, used for the creation of
New Clues Found in Realm of 'Culture Politics'.
Box 8, Folder 6
Text for postcard for issue number one,
1976
Box 8, Folder 7
Typographic materials for issue number one,
undated
Box 8, 16*
Issue number one publicity materials,
1977
Box 8, Folder 9
Galley proofs for issue number one,
undated
Box 20, Folder 12
Government and the Arts,
undated
Scope and Content Note
Contains black and white negatives for illustration in issue number one.
Box 8, Folder 10
Back cover photograph,
1977
Box 20, Folder 13
Material for "Radical Appropriation" article,
1977
Scope and Content Note
Contains negative for illustration for article in issue number one.
Box 8, Folder 11
Letter from Michael Corris to Andrew Menard,
1977
Box 8, Folder 12
"How Should We Criticise the Petite Bourgeois Intelligentsia?"
1978
Scope and Content Note
Reply by editors to Preston Heller.
Box 8, Folder 13
Letter from Michael Corris to editors of
Red-Herring,
1978
Scope and Content Note
Letter was never mailed.
Box 8, Folder 14
Letter from Preston Heller to Michael Corris,
1978
Box 8, Folder 15
Issue number two,
1978
Scope and Content Note
Contains annotated issue.
Box 8, Folder 16
Text for postcard for issue number two,
1978
Box 8, Folder 17-28
Materials related to the relationship of
Red-Herring to mass political/cultural groups in New York City,
1977-1981
Box 8, Folder 17
Loren Schwartz, "A Summary of Criticism/Self-Criticism,"
1977
Box 8, Folder 18
"Toward Building AICU,"
1977
Box 8, Folder 19
Loren Schwartz, "Criticisms of 'Toward Building AICU,'"
1977
Box 8, Folder 20
"A Self-Criticism on the Incorrect Line of 'Yenan Workshop' to Carry Out Revolutionary Cultural Work,"
1977
Box 8, Folder 21
"Role & Tasks of Revolutionary Artists & Writers in the U.S.A. Today,"
1977
Box 8, Folder 22
"Les Mystères de
Red-Herring,"
1978
Box 8, Folder 23
Preston Heller, "In Response...,"
1978
Scope and Content Note
Remarks addressed to membership of AICU.
Box 8, Folder 24
Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union flyer,
1978
Box 8, Folder 25
The Yenan Theater Workshop flyer,
1978
Scope and Content Note
The theater group is part of the AICU.
Box 8, Folder 26-28
Main Trend,
1978-1981
Scope and Content Note
Contains annotated issues numbers one, two and five.
Box 8, 17*
Propaganda Projects exhibition at Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington,
1975-1977
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfiles 12**-14**.
Box 8, Folder 29
And/Or calendar of events,
1977
Flatfile 12**
Exhibition poster,
1977
Scope and Content Note
Contains three variations of poster.
Box 17*
Art from exhibition,
1975-1976
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfiles 13**-14**.
Flatfile 13**
Art & Language at National Gallery of Victoria,
1975
Flatfile 13**
Mettere la Coda a Dove Non Va il Capo,
1976
Flatfile 13**
Appendix: Letter to a Curator,
1976
Box 17*
Welcome to Venice framed,
1976
Flatfile 14**
Other exhibition projects by the editorial collective of
Red-Herring,
1977
Flatfile 14**
Class Struggle and the NEA
Scope and Content Note
Contains paste-up for reproduction and a photoprint.
Series IV.
Art & Language,
1977-2002
Physical Description:
6.7 linear feet
(3 boxes and 7 flatfiles)
Scope and Content Note
This series is comprised of work by Art & Language following the dissolution of the New York section in 1977. The ideological
differences and fissures between the New York and the United Kingdom groups, which had so well defined the New York group,
were put to rest for the most part by the remaining members in order to create new projects during this period. The series
includes illustrations for the journal
Art-Language as well as documentation for the exhibition The Artist Out of Work: Art & Language, 1972-1981, and the exhibition Art & Language
in Practice, 1998.
Arrangement note
Projects are arranged chronologically as devised by Michael Corris.
Box 9
Illustrations for
Art-Language,
1977
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfiles 15**-19**.
Flatfile 15**-19**
Prints
Scope and Content Note
Contains 10 posters, five variations. Posters were shown in the exhibition The Artist Out of Work, at PS1.
Flatfile 20**
Ils Donnent Leur Sang Donnez Votre Travail,
1977
Scope and Content Note
Contains two posters of Donnez Votre Travail and one poster of Ils Donnent Leur Sang. Posters were exhibited in the Artist
Out of Work, at PS1.
Box 9, Folder 3
Comments on political art,
1981
Scope and Content Note
Manuscript by Michael Corris based on articles by Art & Language and Lucy Lippard in
Block no. 5.
Box 9-10
ICA Edition:
Maps,
1991
Scope and Content Note
Signed and numbered 250 piece jigsaw puzzles by Michael Baldwin and Mel Ramsden.
Box 9, Folder 4
Map of an Area of Dimensions 12x12 Inches, Indicating 2,304-1/4 Inch Squares,
Box 9, Folder 5
Map of Thirty-Six Square Mile Area of the Pacific Ocean West of Oahu,
Box 10, Folder 2-6
Materials relating to Michael Corris, "Review Essay: The Artist Out of Work?" in
Word and Image,
1993
Scope and Content Note
Contains letters from Michael Baldwin to Michael Corris, from Mel Ramsden to Michael Corris, from Paul Wood to Michael Corris,
from Ian Burn to Michael Corris.
Box 10, Folder 7-12
"We Have Submerged Victoriously," by Michael Corris from
Art & Language in Practice,
1998
Box 10, Folder 7
Original circulated photocopy
Scope and Content Note
With editorial revisions by Charles Harrison.
Box 10, Folder 8
Letter from Manuel J. Borja-Villel to Michael Corris and letter from Charles Harrison to Michael Corris,
Box 10, Folder 9
Letter from Noemí Cohen to Michael Corris,
Scope and Content Note
Includes contract signed by Michael Corris and Miguel Tàpies.
Box 10, Folder 10
Letter from Charles Harrison to Michael Corris,
Box 10, Folder 11
Typescript
Scope and Content Note
With revisions by Charles Harrison.
Box 10, Folder 12
Art & Language in Practice, exhibition brochure
Box 10, 20, 18*
The Artist Out of Work: Art & Language exhibition,
1999-2000
Scope and Content Note
The exhibition at PS1, Long Island City, New York, was curated by Michael Corris, Neil Powell, Michael Baldwin, Charles Harrison,
and Mel Ramsden.
Also in flatfile 21**.
Box 10, Folder 13
Institute for Contemporary Art loan agreements,
1999
Box 10, 20, 18*
Exhibition materials,
1999
Scope and Content Note
Also in flatfile 21**.
Box 10, Folder 14-17
Exhibition materials
Scope and Content Note
Includes exhibition check lists, installation plan, exhibition announcement, and exhibition brochure.
Flatfile 21**
Installation map drawings
Box 18*, Folder 1
Exhibition brochure proofs
Box 10, Folder 18
Postcard from Mel Ramsden to Michael Corris,
2000
Box 10, 18*
Miscellaneous items,
1989-2002
Box 10, Folder 19-20
Exhibition announcement cards,
1989-1990
Scope and Content Note
For exhibitions at Galerie Sylvana Lorenz and Marian Goodman Gallery.
Box 10, Folder 21-24
Art & Language,
Hostage Paintings,
1991
Scope and Content Note
Includes exhibition invitation, exhibition brochure, checklist, and press releases.
Box 10, Folder 25
Exhibitions announcement card,
1993
Scope and Content Note
For an exhibition at Galeries nationale du jeu de Paume.
Box 10, Folder 26
Dinner invitation,
1993
Scope and Content Note
Invitation from Director of the British Council in France in honor of Art & Language.
Box 10, Folder 27
Exhibition announcement card,
1994
Scope and Content Note
For an exhibition at Lisson Gallery.
Box 10, Folder 28
Kunsthalle St. Gallen newsletter,
1996
Box 10, Folder 29
Bank presents Art & Language press release,
1998
Scope and Content Note
By Galerie Poo-Poo.
Series V.
Individual artists,
1965-2002, undated
Physical Description:
0.83 linear feet
(2 boxes)
Scope and Content Note
This series is comprised of work by key members of Art & Language New York including Michael Corris. Materials include correspondence,
manuscripts, pamphlets and photographs.
Arrangement note
Work is arranged alphabetically by artist as devised by Michael Corris.
Box 11, Folder 1-16
Atkinson, Terry,
1990-2002, undated
Box 11, Folder 1
"Re-Writing and Re-Reading 'Tourism I and II,'"
1990
Scope and Content Note
Pamphlet by British Columbia Contemporary Art Gallery.
Box 11, Folder 2
Talk given to Henry Moore Foundation,
1991
Box 11, Folder 3
Notes on various works,
1991
Scope and Content Note
Includes letters to Judith Mastai.
Box 11, Folder 4
Letter from Terry Atkinson to Michael Corris,
1991
Scope and Content Note
Letter enclosure contains letter from Terry Atkinson to James Hall and a typescript.
Box 11, Folder 5
Ruses, Mutes, Monochromes and Bombers,
1992
Scope and Content Note
Galerie Patricia Asbaek exhibition catalog
Box 11, Folder 6
Letter from Michael Corris to Terry Atkinson,
1992
Scope and Content Note
Includes letter from Michael Corris to Terry Atkinson and letter from Sophia Ungers to Michael Corris.
Box 11, Folder 7
Letter from Sophia Ungers to Michael Corris,
1992
Box 11, Folder 8
"Terry Atkinson, Growing a Tongue,"
1992
Scope and Content Note
Press release by Gimpel Fils Ltd.
Box 11, Folder 9
Notes on the Ruse works,
1992
Box 11, Folder 10
Fragments of a Career: Terry Atkinson Selected Work 1966-1999,
2002
Scope and Content Note
Exhibition catalog by Silkeborg Kunstmuseum.
Box 11, Folder 11
Exhibition brochure,
1996
Scope and Content Note
Exhibition at Norwich Gallery.
Box 11, Folder 12
Letter from Terry Atkinson to Michael Corris,
1997
Box 11, Folder 14
"The Turner Prize: Ordering the Avant-Garde,"
2001
Box 11, Folder 51
Letter from Terry Atkinson to Michael Corris,
2002
Box 11, Folder 16
"The Avant-Garde Model of the Artistic Subject - a Limit?"
undated
Box 11, Folder 17
Art & Working Life,
1981
Scope and Content Note
Pamphlet by ACTU.
Box 11, Folder 18
Art & Text,
1981
Scope and Content Note
Journal contains article by Ian Burn.
Box 11, Folder 19
Letter from Ian Burn to Michael Corris,
1982
Box 11, Folder 20
"ACTU National Conference: Art and Working Life,"
1982
Box 11, Folder 21
Art & Working Life. Cultural activities in the Australian trade union movement,
1983
Box 11, Folder 22
Letter from Ian Burn to Michael Corris,
1984
Box 11, Folder 23
Michael Baldwin and Mel Ramsden, "Ian Burn: Looking at Seeing and Reading,"
1992
Box 11, Folder 24
Paul Wood, "The Second Ian Burn Memorial Lecture,"
1997
Box 11, Folder 25
Burn, Ian and Mel Ramsden,
1968
Scope and Content Note
Contains
Six Negatives and
Holding System.
Box 11, Folder 26-34
Corris, Michael,
1991-2001
Box 11, Folder 26-29
Texts on Art & Language and related materials,
1991-1997
Box 11, Folder 26
"Review: Art & Language at Lisson Gallery,"
1991
Box 11, Folder 27
"When Worlds Collide: Postmodernism Writing in the Thirties in the Sixties and the Eighties,"
1994
Scope and Content Note
Annotated by Michael Baldwin and Mel Ramsden.
Box 11, Folder 28
"After Modernism's Nervous Breakdown, What Do Artists Want?"
1997
Scope and Content Note
Annotated by Michael Baldwin.
Box 11, Folder 29
Letter from Mel Ramsden to Michael Corris,
1997
Box 11, Folder 30-34
Materials related to
Conceptual Art,
2001
Scope and Content Note
Conceptual Art is a book edited by Michael Corris and published by Cambridge University Press in 2004.
Box 11, Folder 30-31
"Art & Language, New York Discusses its Social Relations in 'The Lumpen Headache'"
Scope and Content Note
By Christopher Gilbert. One copy is annotated by Michael Baldwin and Phillip Pilkington. A second copy is annotated by Mel
Ramsden.
Box 11, Folder 32-33
Letters from Mel Ramsden to Michael Corris
Box 11, Folder 34
Letter from Michael Baldwin to Michael Corris
Box 12, Folder 1-19
Kosuth, Joseph,
1965-1992, undated
Box 12, Folder 1
Gregory Battock's notes on "Four Interviews,"
undated
Box 12, Folder 2
Gregory Battock's notes on "Art After Philosophy I and II,"
undated
Box 12, Folder 3
Five Five's,
1965
Scope and Content Note
Photograph to Donald Judd, by Paulo Mussat Sartor.
Box 12, Folder 4
One and Five (Clock),
1965
Scope and Content Note
Photograph by Paulo Mussat Sartor.
Box 12, Folder 5
One and Eight-a Description (White),
1965
Box 12, Folder 6
One and Three Saws (English-Italian),
1965
Scope and Content Note
Photograph by Paulo Mussat Sartor.
Box 12, Folder 7
Clear-Square-Glass-Leaning,
1965
Scope and Content Note
Photograph by Paulo Mussat Sartor.
Box 12, Folder 8
The Museum of Normal Art, letterhead,
1967
Box 12, Folder 9
The Second Investigations,
1968
Scope and Content Note
From When Attitudes Become Form exhibition at Kunsthalle, Bern. Photograph by Jay Cantor.
Box 12, Folder 10
The Seventh Investigation,
1970
Scope and Content Note
From Software/Information Technology: Its New Meaning for Art, exhibition at the Jewish Museum, New York. Contains photographs
of
The Seventh Investigation and
The Seventh Investigation, Proposition One, Part B. Photographs by Shunk-Kender.
Box 12, Folder 11
Installation photograph,
1970
Scope and Content Note
From the exhibition, Information, at The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Photograph by Peter Moore.
Box 12, Folder 12
Informationsrum,
1970
Scope and Content Note
Photograph by Peter Moore.
Box 12, Folder 13
Photo Caption,
undated
Scope and Content Note
For the exhibition, Conceptual Art and Conceptual Aspects, at the New York Cultural Center.
Box 12, Folder 14
The Seventh Investigation, Proposition One, Part A,
1970
Scope and Content Note
From the exhibition Software/Information Technology: Its New Meaning for Art, at the Jewish Museum, New York. Photograph by
Paulo Mussat Sartor.
Box 12, Folder 15-17
Catalog statements,
1970-1971
Scope and Content Note
Statements for: exhibition catalog for Information at the Museum of Modern Art, Software/Information Technology: Its New Meaning
for Art at the Jewish Museum, and Context one from the 1969 Whitney Annual.
Box 12, Folder 18
Unidentified work at the Leo Castello Gallery,
undated
Scope and Content Note
Photograph by Rudolph Burckhardt.
Box 12, Folder 21
Exhibition at Museum Haus Lange installation photograph,
1970
Scope and Content Note
Photograph by Bernar Venet.
Box 12, Folder 22
Information Theory,
1970-1972
Scope and Content Note
Contains photographs by Bernar Venet of Information Theory by Robert Ash and a press release from the New York Cultural Center.
Box 12, Folder 24
Bernar Venet,
1976
Scope and Content Note
Catalog for an exhibition at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art.