Robert Irwin papers, circa 1940-2011, bulk 1970-2011

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Summary

Creators:
Irwin, Robert, 1928-
Abstract:
Robert Irwin is a California artist associated with the Light and Space movement. His papers document many of Irwin's site-specific, primarily public artworks from the 1980s with correspondence, writings, clippings, drawings, photographs, models, and sound and video recordings. Additions (1999-2011) to the archive include papers, photographs, and drawings relating to the Getty central garden and other projects (ca. 1992-2011).
Extent:
346 Linear Feet
Language:
Collection material is in English.

Background

Scope and content:

The Robert Irwin papers are comprised of correspondence, personal writings, clippings, and audiovisual and digital materials, as well as project files, photographs, drawings, and models pertaining to his environmental works. The material dates from 1970, the year he sold the contents of his Venice, California studio, to 2011. The project files, photographs, and drawings present a comprehensive view of his site-specific, primarily public, artworks, both executed and unrealized, from the 1980s. Particularly well documented are 48 Shadow Planes, 1983, Old Post Office, Washington, D.C.; Arts Enrichment Master Plan, proposed 1986, Miami International Airport; Two Architectural Towers, proposed 1989, City Front Plaza, Chicago; Dia:Beacon, 1996-2003, New York; and the Getty central garden, 1992-ca. 2008, Los Angeles.

Arrangement note

The papers are organized in nine series: Series I. Correspondence, 1975-2010; Series II. Personal writings, ca. 1940-1999, undated; Series III. Project files, 1970-2009, undated; Series IV. Clippings and ephemera, ca. 1960-2011, undated; Series V. Photographs, ca. 1969-2003, undated; Series VI. Audiovisual and digital material, 1971-2010, undated; Series VII. Project drawings, ca. 1970-2007, undated; Series VIII. Project models, ca. 1979-ca. 1993; Series IX. Miscellaneous, undated

Biographical / historical:

Robert Irwin is a Southern California artist and a founder of the Light and Space movement.

Acquisition information:
The papers were acquired in 1994. Additions to the archive were received in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997. Subsequent additions were received in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011.
Physical location:
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Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1688, US
Contact:
(310) 440-7390
Website