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Inventory of the Karl Bissinger Papers
D-189
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Creator:
Bissinger, Karl
Title: Karl Bissinger Papers
Date: 1950-1974
Extent:
2.4 linear feet
Abstract: Karl Bissinger (1914- ), photojournalist and activist, was a friend of Julian Beck and
Judith Malina, co-founders of The Living Theatre. Bissinger served as an occassional photographer of the Theatre
and its performances. His Papers contain correspondence, ephemera, photographs, posters, and programs pertaining
to Living Theatre productions.
Physical location: Researchers should contact Special Collections to request collections, as many
are stored offsite.
Repository:
University of California, Davis. General Library. Department of Special
Collections.
Davis, California 95616-5292
Collection number: D-189
Language of Material: Collection materials in English.
Karl Bissinger was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1914. He had a career as a photojournalist, serving as staff
photographer at Flair and portraitist for Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, and Town & Country. His book,
The Luminous Years: Portraits at Mid-Century (2003), contains examples of his portrait
photography.
In 1955, Bissinger met the co-founders of the Living Theatre, Judith Malina and Judith Beck, in New York City
after a protest against air raid drills. They became friends and Bissinger served as an occasional photographer
of the Theatre and its performances.
After semi-retiring from photography, Bissinger went on to work for the American Friends Service Committee and
the War Resisters League.
Source: Maronna, Michael. "Work As Though You Had Hope: An Interview with Karl Bissinger."
Nonviolent
Activist: The Magazine of the War Resisters League,
July-August 1996.
The Karl Bissinger Papers comprise 2.4 linear feet and span the years 1950-1974. The Papers contain
correspondence, ephemera, photographs, posters, and programs pertaining to Living Theatre performances.
The Papers are arranged into four series: 1. Literary Productions 2. Correspondence 3. Subject Files and 4.
Photographic Materials.
D-138 Spicer, James and Morris Ploscowe. Collection
D-187 Living Theatre Archives
D-191 Mantegna, Gianfranco. Papers
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public
access catalog.
Bissinger, Karl--Archives.
Malina, Judith, 1926-
Beck, Julian, 1925-1985
Living Theatre (New York, N.Y.)
Experimental theater
Theater--United States
Stage photography
Photographers--United States
Collection is open for research.
Acquired in 1975.
[Identification of item], Karl Bissinger Papers, D-189, Department of Special Collections, General Library,
University of California, Davis.
Copyright is protected by the copyright law, chapter 17, of the U.S. Code. All requests for permission to
publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of
California, Davis as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the
copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.