Simon Toparovsky papers, 1995-

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Summary

Creators:
Toparovsky, Simon.
Abstract:
Simon Toparovsky is a designer and sculptor whose work has been exhibited internationally. The collection consists of printed material, exhibition brochures and catalogs, artwork, and clippings in English and Italian.
Extent:
1 box (.5 linear ft.) 3 oversize boxes.
Language:
Finding aid is written in English, Italian.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection documents exhibitions of sculptor Simon Toparovsky. The catalogs, brochures, artwork, and clippings in it are derived from several of his solo and collaborative efforts from 1995 to ca. 2007. Languages of the material are English and Italian.

Biographical / historical:

Simon Toparovsky studied at Temple University, University of California, Berkeley, and California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. He began his professional career as an apprentice to hand bookbinders in the United States and England, where he studied the restoration and conservation of rare books. In 1976 he was chosen as the head of the apprenticeship program at the Center for Book Arts in New York. While there he taught and created original work, some of which has been acquired by the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and the Smithsonian Institution. In the 1980s, Toparovsky transitioned from working with visual books to creating narrative sculptures. He creates both private and public art, including, in 2002, the design for the main altar crucifix for the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in Los Angeles. His other works have been exhibited and purchased by such organizations as the Museum of Modern Art (New York) and the Getty Center (Los Angeles). Toparovsky lives and works in Los Angeles, California and Milan, Italy.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Simon Toparovsky, 2006 and 2007.
Processing information:

Simon Toparovsky donated material from several of his exhibitions in 2006 and the material was rehoused and described. In 2007, Mr. Toparovsky donated additional materials relating to the exhibition Qui Del Dicibile. Processed by Elizabeth Sheehan in the Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), 2006. Additions to the collection were processed by Kelley Wolfe Bachli in 2008.

Arrangement:

Arranged by exhibition title:

  1. Ex occidente lux
  2. Flight of Icarus
  3. La costituzione Americana
  4. Tutte le storie.
  5. Qui Del Dicible

Physical / technical requirements:

COLLECTION CONTAINS DIGITAL MATERIALS: Special equipment or further processing may be required for viewing. To access digital materials you must notify the reference desk in advance of your visit.

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:
Sculptors--Archival resources.

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
Website