Plagens (Peter) papers

Art Work 1958-2011

Scope and Content

This series includes drawings, a poster created with artist Walter Gabrielson, art work ledgers, a hard drive with digital images of art work and slides of his paintings and collages. Plagens' slide numbering system involves sequential numbers for each work before the hyphen and the year the work was made follows the hyphen. For example, 32-99 refers to the 32nd work produced in 1999.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SERIES 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.

box 1, folder 1

DT cartoons 1958-1962

Scope and Contents

Photocopies of cartoons Plagens created while working as an editorial cartoonist for the University of Southern California (USC) Daily Trojan student newspaper cover a range from campus issues (e.g. criticism of the Doheny Library) to national issues (e.g. academic freedom and army recruitment) to international politics (e.g communism and U.S. relations with Cuba).

box 1, folder 2

Richard de Mille drawing circa 1963

Scope and Content

Drawing of de Mille wearing a Trojan helmet and GOP necklace, created by Plagens while he and Walter Gabrielson worked as staff artists for a USC Psychology Department research project called "BC: Analysis of Behavioral Cognition." Gabrielson and Plagens were each assigned to work for a particular researcher. Plagens was assigned to work for Richard de Mille, adopted son of Cecil B. de Mille. The sword and sandals movie motif and Grand Old Party necklace are references to Richard's father, Cecil. During this project, Gabrielson and Plagens would create humorous drawings, fold them as paper airplanes and fly them over the partition into each other's cubicles.

box 1, folder 3

"Who Wrote The Note?" Contest flyer 1964

Scope and Content

Plagens made this flyer while a graduate student at Syracuse University. Syracuse assigned semi-private studios to its studio grad students on the second floor of an old Continental Can Company. An art history graduate student named Patricia Amlin received a large studio space and posted a log of all her studio hours. When Plagens and his pals began to fill in impossible hours on Amlin's log, she became furious and demanded to know who was responsible. Plagens created this flyer as a response. The caricatures of the artists depicted on the flyer are as follows: 1) Bob Conge 2) Richard Jordan 3) Michael Ashcraft 4) Peter Plagens, and 5) Gerry DiGiusto.

box 1, folder 4

Plagens slides 1958-1979

Scope and Contents

Slides include images of oil paintings Plagens created as an undergraduate at USC and as a graduate student at Syracuse University, the Pasadena studio he shared with Walter Gabrielson, his solo exhibition at the University of Oklahoma Art Museum, his "Confessions of a Fellatrix" installation, and his Los Angeles Institute of Contemporary Art (LAICA) downtown installation. Materials also include images of art in Brussels, Amsterdam and London as well as natural scenes in Austin, Texas and Oregon.

box 1, folder 5

Plagens art slides 1980-2002

Scope and Contents

Slides include images from his solo exhibition, "Intimate Dramas: Peter Plagens' Black Paintings" at the Akron Art Museum and works such as Brotherhood of Artists, Basketball in Hollywood, Noam Sain (Time for Robo), Jehova's Waitress, The Last Modernist, and The Red & The Black: Said Satan.

box 1, folder 6-7

Plagens small collages slides 2000

Scope and Contents

Materials include more than 500 slides of Plagens' small collages.

box 2, folder 1-2

Peter Plagens art slides 1961-2002

Scope and Contents

Materials include mixed media collages such as Brotherhood of Artists, Dark Matisse Flame, Queen of the Blues and Richter as a Painter, However.

box 2, folder 3

School and Jan Baum Gallery slides 1960-1963, 1979-1991

Scope and Contents

Slides include images of Plagens' work from the Abstract Artists' Exhibition at the Jan Baum Gallery located at 170 South La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles.

box 3, folder 1-7

Peter Plagens art slides 1975-1982, 1993-1994, 1997, 1999

Scope and Contents

Materials include more than a thousand slides and the following transparencies: Cleveland Defaults On Its Debts, An Obvious Heterosexual and Have You Ever Seriously Considered A Monarchy?

box 4, folder 1-2

Peter Plagens: Slides of student work 1969, 1973-1975, 1977-1980, 1983-1984, 1988, 1990

Scope and Contents

More than four hundred slides of student work from Beginning Drawing, Beginning Painting, Advanced Painting and Independent Study courses taught by Plagens.

box 4, folder 3-5

Collages I-III slides 1972-1976, 1984-1989

Scope and Contents

Approximately nine hundred slides of Plagens' collages.

box 5, folder 1-5

Ledgers of work 1972-1975, 1976-1981, 1982-1987, 1987-1991, 1992-2002

Scope and Contents

Five handwritten ledgers of Plagens' art work are numbered 1-5, arranged in chronological order and signed by the artist. Although started in 1972, the first book includes his work from the 1960s and in addition to photographs and sketches of his work, all books record dates, serial numbers, storage locations, materials, dimensions, titles, sales, gifts, damage and destruction.

box 6, folder 1

Studio circa 1996-1999

Scope and Contents

Materials include painting title ideas and photographs used for Plagens's art work. One photo was taken at the 1934 Air Show at the Cleveland Municipal Airport. The image is of Plagens's father, George Plagens, single at age 26 in a suit and tie and his brother, Harold at age 18 wearing his East High football sweater. Peter made three drawings from this photograph. He sold the best one, gave his daughter Sybil Wisdom the second one, and he kept the third.

box 6, folder 2

Art inventory and exhibition floppy disks 1965-1998

Scope and Contents

Materials include 4 art inventory floppy disks.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Four 3.5-inch floppy disks

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.

box 6, folder 3

Art work CDs 1974-2009, 2011

Scope and Contents

Nine CDs contain images of Plagens' work with the following titles: Collages 1974-2000 (selected), Collage Survey 1974-2000 (selected), Peter's Work (dupe), Plagens' "Introspective" at Columbia College 2005, Peter Plagens' Art/Images September 2006, Peter's Work September 15, 2006, Peter Plagens' 5 Works on Paper 2007 (draft), Peter Plagens' Images 1974-2009 and Peter Plagens' Collage-Paintings 2011.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

9 CDs

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.

box 6, folder 4

Hard drive 2011

Scope and Contents

One iomega Helium portable hard drive contains images of Plagens' art work.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

1 hard drive

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.

box 6, folder 5

Floppy disks

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Seven 3.5" floppy disks

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.

box 36, folder 4

BIG LIE Smash It! poster circa 1970s

Scope and Content

Anti-war protest poster created by Plagens and Walter Gabrielson.

box 36, folder 7

Life Map 2006 March 22

Scope and Contents

This flowchart style map was drawn by Plagens with black and red pencil.

box 36, folder 7

Untitled circa 2010

Scope and Contents

Plagens created this colored abstract drawing and tore it off from a Walker's NYC restaurant tablecloth. Walker's is Plagens' and Fendrich's neighborhood restaurant in Tribeca that places glasses filled with crayons on their dining tables. Plagens estimates that they have eaten there over 600 times in 30 years.

Exhibition Materials 1967-2013

Scope and Content

This series includes posters, catalogues, brochures, invitations, postcards and a floppy disk concerning Plagens' solo and group exhibitions in addition to catalogues with essays by Plagens and brochures for exhibitions curated by Plagens. This series also includes Plagens' Funny Guys proposal for a Walter Gabrielson and Merwin Belin exhibition and curatorial texts annotated by Plagens.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SERIES 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.

box 36, folder 2

Smagula and Plagens posters 1967

Scope and Contents

Four posters publicize Plagens' exhibition with Howard Smagula at the New Arts Gallery in Houston, Texas.

box 36, folder 3

Confessions of a Fellatrix (paintings) posters 1971

Scope and Contents

Three posters promote Plagens' solo show at 16 West Union Street in Pasadena, California.

box 7, folder 1

24 Young Los Angeles Artists LACMA handout 1971

Scope and Contents

This Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) photographic handout for an exhibition of young, local artists features Plagens on the cover.

box 7, folder 2

Peter Plagens: Works On Paper catalogue 1976-1977

Scope and Contents

Catalogue for Plagens' exhibition at the Smithsonian's Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden.

box 36, folder 5

Peter Plagens: Visiting Artist Program posters 1978

Scope and Contents

Three posters for the Wake Forest University/Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) Visiting Artist Program feature an exhibition of Plagens's paintings and the following two artist lectures: "The State of Painting on the West Coast" and "My Work." The back of one poster includes a family portrait in crayon by Plagens and Joyce Wisdom's daughter Sybil Wisdom.

box 7, folder 3

Peter Plagens: Selected Small Works postcards 2001

Scope and Contents

Three opening reception postcards for Plagens' exhibition at the Los Angeles Harbor College Fine Arts Gallery.

box 7, folder 4

Eaton Fine Art 10th Anniversary catalogue 2002

Scope and Contents

This catalogue includes a "Best Wishes for the New Year" note from Timothy A. Eaton and features Peter Plagens and Laurie Fendrich's "Artists & Writers/Husbands & Wives" group exhibition as a highlight.

box 7, folder 5

Peter Plagens: An Introspective opening invitation 2004

Scope and Contents

Invitation to the opening reception for Plagens' solo exhibition at USC Fisher Gallery, addressed to Director and Curator Selma Holo.

box 7, folder 6

Peter Plagens: An Introspective brochures 2004-2005

Scope and Contents

Three brochures for his solo exhibition at USC Fisher Gallery feature a color reproduction of Plagens' Benton Way and Sunset, LA, 6/28/55, 1:40p.m. work on the cover and include a biography of the artist and descriptions of his early and late work.

box 7, folder 7

Peter Plagens: An Introspective catalogues 2004-2005

Scope and Contents

These two catalogues feature acknowledgements from USC Fisher Gallery Director and Curator Selma Holo, a transcription of a conversation between Holo and Plagens, "The Jabberwocky and the Gorilla in the Corner" essay by MacArthur Prize Winner Dave Hickey, Afterword by The Butler Institute of American Art Executive Director Louis A. Zona and full color plates of Plagens' work.

box 7, folder 8

Peter Plagens: An Introspective mailers 2005

Scope and Contents

Three publicity mailer cards announce the dates of the exhibition, its opening reception and artist lecture at the A + D 11th Street Gallery in Chicago, Illinois. Plagens' Wheels of Wonder is featured in full color as the cover image.

box 7, folder 9

"Paint & Tell" article 2005

Scope and Contents

This article was published in the summer issue of the USC Trojan Family magazine. Plagens, who was interviewed for this feature, discusses his work with a focus on his exhibition at USC Fisher Gallery, which showcased 44 pieces spanning 30 years of his artistic career. According to the author of the article, this was the first time the museum held a solo show dedicated to the art work of an alumnus.

box 7, folder 10

Peter Plagens Reception for Artist cards 2005

Scope and Contents

Two Reception for Artist cards for Plagens' solo exhibition at the Nancy Hoffman Gallery feature a full color view of his studio.

box 7, folder 11

Peter Plagens: An Introspective reception cards 2005

Scope and Contents

Three cards for his reception at The Butler Institute of American Art include statements from the Director and Chief Curator Louis A. Zona on the importance of Plagens' work.

box 7, folder 12

Driven to Abstraction . . . catalogue 2006

Scope and Contents

The Driven to Abstraction: Southern California and the Non-Objective World, 1950-1980 catalogue was produced for the Riverside Art Museum's historical survey exhibition curated by Peter Frank. This exhibition featured Plagens' work, The People's Republic of Antarctica, an image of which is found on page 77 of the catalogue.

box 7, folder 13

Ron Linden catalogues 2007

Scope and Contents

Two catalogues for painter Ron Linden's exhibition at Cue Art Foundation in New York include an artist's statement, curator's statement, and full color images of Linden's work. The exhibition, curated by Plagens, was Linden's first solo show in New York. This folder also includes letters from Linden to Plagens concerning the choice of work for the catalogue cover and correspondence from Cue Art Foundation Programs Assistant Ryan White regarding the exhibition and its opening reception.

box 7, folder 14

Truckscapes: Drawings from a Mobile Studio book 2007

Scope and Contents

This book of Nick Miller's landscape drawings includes an essay by Plagens entitled, "Nick Miller: Drawing Life from Landscape." This publication serves as documentation of Miller's solo exhibition of the same name at the Irish Cultural Center in Paris.

box 7, folder 15

Funny Guys proposal 2007

Scope and Contents

Plagens' notes concerning his Walter Gabrielson and Merwin Belin exhibition proposal, Gabrielson press clippings and work photos, a transparency of Belin's work, and a Merwin Belin Professional NBC Sports 1992 Summer Olympics Barcelona luggage tag.

box 7, folder 16

Mississippi Invitational catalogue 2009

Scope and Content

Plagens served as Guest Curator for this exhibition at the Mississippi Museum of Art and his catalogue essay, "The Deep (as in Profound) South" discusses studio visits and the work of the ten artists he chose to participate in this show.

box 7, folder 17

Painting with Paint brochures 2010

Scope and Contents

Two brochures for the Painting with Paint: Selections from the Nancy Hoffman Gallery exhibition that featured works by Plagens, Howard Buchwald, Hung Liu and Joseph Raffael, include an image of Plagens' Serge Protector piece alongside text he wrote concerning the appeal of abstraction in connection with the existential truth of painting.

box 7, folder 18

School of Belin catalogue 2010

Scope and Contents

This catalogue for the Merwin Belin exhibition, School of Belin: A Mid-Career Survey at the Warschaw Gallery in San Pedro includes an essay by Plagens on Belin's life and work.

box 7, folder 19

Peter Plagens: I Don't Give a Damn / Every Moment Counts cards 2011

Scope and Contents

Two reception invitation cards for Plagens' solo exhibition at the Nancy Hoffman Gallery feature an image of Plagens' 2010 work by the same name.

box 7, folder 20

Thinking Contemporary Curating publication 2012

Scope and Contents

Publication by Terry Smith, first in a series developed by Independent Curators International (ICI) entitled, Perspectives in Curating. This copy is heavily annotated by Plagens.

box 7, folder 21

The Culture of Curating and the Curating of Culture(s) proof 2012

Scope and Contents

Uncorrected page proof of publication by Paul O'Neil, annotated throughout by Plagens.

box 7, folder 22

Abstract, adj.: Expressing a quality apart from an object. brochure 2013

Scope and Contents

This brochure for the group exhibition at the Ringling College of Art and Design Selby Gallery features Plagens' Get In There Fast work on the cover.

box 7, folder 23

Peter Plagens Texas Gallery opening brochures 2013

Scope and Contents

Three brochures for Plagens' solo exhibition at the Texas Gallery in Houston feature full color images of the following works: The Italian Job 3, Death of an Artist 1, Impure Abstraction Notes from the Underground 3, The Crust of Life 2 and The Case for Abstraction 3.

box 7, folder 24

Peter Plagens Exhibition floppy disk undated

Scope and Contents

This floppy disk includes "lo-fi" digital photos of Plagens' work for the purpose of documentation.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

One 3.5-inch floppy disk

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.

Writing 1970-2012

Scope and Content

This series includes Plagens' reviews and articles for Newsweek, Art in America, Artforum and other publications, his West Coast Art manuscript, Sunshine Muse photographs and illustration releases, notes and drafts of his first novel, Time for Robo, drafts of his second novel, The Art Critic, research, notes and drafts for his Bruce Nauman: The True Artist book, and multiple drafts of the following unpublished works of fiction: Robo 2: Noam Sain and the Altadena Bungalow, Robo 3: Among Those Killed in the Dawn Raid Was the Reverend Noam Sain, Aged One Hundred, Merciful Brief, Lieutenant Kao and Confessions of a Fellatrix.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SERIES 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.

box 8, folder 1

Art Writing Old 1970

Scope and Contents

Materials include an article for Artforum in which Plagens discusses Richard Serra's Sawing as a "bona fide sensation."

box 8, folder 2

Art Writing Muy Viejo 1970-1971, circa 1984

Scope and Contents

Materials include an essay for Art Journal entitled "Some Problems in Recent Painting" and two photocopies of the following typescripts: "Me 'N The Scene" and "True Garb."

box 8, folder 3

"The Odd Couple" review 1977

Scope and Contents

Plagens discusses the work of Jim Turrell and Walter Gabrielson in this New West article.

box 8, folder 4

"Golden Days" essay 1990

Scope and Contents

Plagens discusses contemporary art in Los Angeles in this essay clipped from the book, Modern Art and Popular Culture: Readings in High and Low.

box 8, folder 5-6

Art Writing - Misc. 1993-1997

Scope and Contents

Materials include an essay on Doug Hilson for his exhibition at the Laura Knott Art Gallery, a profile on Ron Linden, a review of The San Francisco School of Abstract Expressionism show organized by the Laguna Art Museum, an interview of artist and former Artforum editor, John Coplans, and a typescript on the work of painter Sam Francis.

box 8, folder 7

Art Writing - Misc. 1998-1999, 2005

Scope and Contents

Materials include an article on the L.A. art scene for the Los Angeles Times, an annotated list of the "ten best art thingies of the '90s" for Artforum, selections from "Art Stripped Bare," Plagens' collaboration with Walter Gabrielson and a "Bring Back 'Amos 'n' Andy,' but With Care" article for The Chronicle of Higher Education.

box 8, folder 8

Art Writing - Misc. 2000-2003

Scope and Contents

Materials include an Art in America memorial for John Coplans, a juror's statement for the Huntington Museum of Art's "Exhibition 280," a "Cents and Sensibility: Collecting the '80s" Artforum article and a "How Art Has Changed a Lot" essay for American Art.

box 8, folder 9

Art Writing 2004-2006

Scope and Contents

Materials include the following: "Objects in mirror are more distant than they appear," Plagens' look back at "The Boys' Club" Los Angeles art scene of the 1960s and 1970s, "The Scene Changes: New York Art in the Postwar Decades," New England Review essay and "Return of the white cube," ArtReview article concerning Brian O'Doherty's "Inside the White Cube" lecture.

box 8, folder 10-11

Art Writing 2007-2009

Scope and Contents

Materials include an Art in America memorial for Walter Gabrielson, Common Review essay, "The Absolute Truth About Art," a New England Review "Another Look at Clement Greenberg" essay, and the "Turner's Magic Mountains" ARTnews review of the J.M.W. Turner retrospective.

box 8, folder 12-13

Kuntz 2007

Scope and Contents

Materials include clippings, timelines, correspondence, a CD and annotated drafts of his essay on Roger Kuntz for the Laguna Art Museum's Kuntz retrospective catalogue.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

1 CD

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.

box 9, folder 1

Art Writing 2010

Scope and Contents

Materials include annotated typescripts such as "Pacific Standard Revise," Plagens' review of the Getty's Pacific Standard Time: Los Angeles Art 1945-1980 book, a Smithsonian Magazine article on painter Clyfford Still and the Denver museum in his name and the New England Review essay "Leo Castelli and the New World."

box 9, folder 2

Eye Level: A in A 2010-2012

Scope and Contents

Materials include annotated typescripts and published clippings from Plagens' Eye Level articles for Art in America.

box 9, folder 3

Art Writing Notes undated

Scope and Contents

Materials include notes on John Coplans, Artforum, and the pleasure of reading.

box 9, folder 4

Art Writing: In the Hopper circa 2010

Scope and Contents

Materials include an annotated typescript concerning Eli Broad's installation of Jeffrey Deitch as director of Los Angeles' Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) and the museum's future.

box 9, folder 5

Art Writing Unpublished undated

Scope and Contents

Materials include typescripts on San Francisco's Ant Farm, comedian Eddie Izzard, David Hockney's Secret Knowledge book and an interview with art critic Hilton Kramer.

box 9, folder 6

A.W. Press & Publicity circa 2000

Scope and Contents

This "News From Hudson Hills Press" release announces its monograph on minimalist Tony DeLap, written by Bruce Guenther and Peter Plagens.

box 9, folder 7

Art Writing: Reviews (of) 1974-1975, 1986

Scope and Contents

Materials include reviews of Moonlight Blues: An Artist's Art Criticism and Sunshine Muse: Contemporary Art on the West Coast.

box 9, folder 8

Art Writing undated

Scope and Contents

Materials include annotated typescripts concerning sculptor John Chamberlain, painter Malcolm Morley, the Getty's Pacific Standard Time: Los Angeles Art, 1945-1980 catalogue and Hunter Drohojowksa's book, Rebels in Paradise: The L.A. Art Scene and the 1960s.

box 9, folder 9-12

Anthology Book 1995

Scope and Contents

Materials include Plagens' clippings and annotated typescripts of his unpublished art criticism. This unpublished Anthology Book was to include Plagens' art criticism from various publications. Folder 10 also contains the following six slides: 1) Durham, N.C. 2) The VW bus on I-85 north 3) Traffic stall, I-85 north 4) The Black Truck near Amarillo, TX 5) Dunes, California desert, and 6) Truck terminal opposite Linden's loft, LA.

box 9, folder 13

Art Writing floppies 1988-2001

Scope and Content

Six floppy disks include published criticism, notes and research.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Six 3.5-inch floppy disks

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.

box 9, folder 14

Painting audio cassette and floppy disk undated

Scope and Content

The audio cassette tape includes audio notes for what Plagens describes as ". . . a thinky memoir about being an abstract painter." Plagens was in the habit of carrying around a cassette recorder and recording thoughts as they occurred.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

One 3.5-inch floppy disk and one audio cassette.

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.

box 11, folder 1-3, box 10, folder 1-11

Art Writing: Newsweek 1989-2003

Scope and Contents

Materials include photocopies of clippings from Plagens' work as Newsweek's art critic. Box 11, Folder 1 contains two floppy disks of Newsweek drafts.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Two 3.5-inch floppy disks

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.

box 11, folder 4

Critical Mess book 2006

Scope and Contents

One copy of Critical Mess: Art Critics on the State of their Practice, edited by Raphael Rubinstein includes Plagens' "At a Crossroads" essay and is signed by Rubinstein and fellow essayists Katy Siegel, Thomas McEvilley, Nancy Princenthal and Eleanor Heartney.

box 12, folder 1-5

Merciful Brief novel and screenplay 1972, 2002

Scope and Contents

These folders contain three photocopies of Plagens' unpublished novel set in Los Angeles and two copies of the screenplay. Folder 4 includes correspondence between Plagens and the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art reference services interlibrary loan coordinator concerning searching his papers for a copy of the manuscript and screenplay.

box 13, folder 1

West Coast Art circa 1972

Scope and Contents

Plagens' West Coast Art manuscript was revised and published in 1974 as Sunshine Muse: Contemporary Art on the West Coast, his first book of art criticism and history which set the stage for the Getty's Pacific Standard Time initiative. This book was published again as Sunshine Muse: Art on the West Coast, 1945-1970 by University of California Press in 1999 with a new introduction by Plagens.

box 13, folder 2

Sunshine Muse 1999-2000

Scope and Contents

Materials include royalty statements, correspondence from University of California Press Paperback Editor Charlene Woodcock, images of cover painting Figure on a Porch by Richard Diebenkorn, a photccopy of the Memorandum of Agreement between Peter Plagens and The Regents of the University of California, text for the book's spine and back cover, correspondence to Judy Throm of Reference Services at the Smithsonian Archives of American Art concerning photographs and transparencies for the book's new edition and reviews of the first edition.

box 13, folder 3

Sunshine Muse floppy disk 2002

Scope and Contents

This floppy disk includes one Sunshine Muse folder.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

One 3.5-inch floppy disk

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.

box 14, folder 1-16

Sunshine Muse photos

Scope and Contents

These black and white photographs were published in the book.

box 14, folder 17-18

Sunshine Muse illustration releases 1973-1974

Scope and Contents

Folder 17 contains one set of signed illustration releases and folder 18 contains one set of unsigned illustration releases.

box 15, folder 1-2

Robo: Clips

Scope and Contents

Plagens used these research clippings while writing his first novel, Time for Robo. Clippings are numbered and arranged by the following headings: Physics (Macro/Micro), Espionage (Crime), Religion (Prophets/Gurus), Art (Authorship) (See Writing), Writing (Emptying Mind), Time, Theory, Air Craft and Sport (Body). Materials also include notecards on voice, language and the novel's structure.

box 15, folder 3

Robo: Notes

Scope and Contents

Materials include Excel spreadsheet print outs of the novel's chronology, notes on characters, style and plot themes and a four page "Whom I hate:" typescript.

box 15, folder 4

Time for Robo: Press 1998-2000

Scope and Contents

Press clippings and lists of publications with contacts for book reviews.

box 15, folder 5

Time for Robo 1996

Scope and Contents

Plagens' copy of his book publishing agreement and an Excel spreadsheet print out of notes for the novel.

box 15, folder 6-7

Time for Robo undated

Scope and Contents

Typescript of novel annotated by Plagens.

box 15, folder 8

Time for Robo: Book Itself 1996-1998

Scope and Contents

Correspondence between Plagens and Black Heron Press publisher Jerry Gold and an advance copy of the book jacket. In his introductory letter to Gold, Plagens describes Time for Robo as follows: "... a small part of it is about art. But the book is really about time, perception, and a few questions concerning reality...."

box 15, folder 9

Time for Robo 1999

Scope and Contents

One hardcover copy of the novel signed by the author.

box 16, folder 1-2

Robo Notes

Scope and Content

Photocopies of clippings, used by Plagens while conducting research for this novel.

box 16, folder 3

Robo: Adds

Scope and Content

Materials include Plagens' handwritten notes, clippings, photocopies of articles and two slides of Dieric Bouts' paintings: The Altarpiece of the Last Supper and The Martyrdom of St. Hippolytus.

box 17, folder 1-2

Robo 2

Scope and Contents

Typescript entitled Robo 2, The Synquel: Noam Sain and the Altadena Bungalow.

box 17, folder 3

For Book 2

Scope and Contents

Materials include a photocopy of "Intrusions?" by J. W. Dunne.

box 17, folder 4-5

Robo 2 stuff

Scope and Contents

Clippings concerning villains and cults.

box 17, folder 6-7

Robo 2 Notes

Scope and Contents

Materials include clippings, photocopies of articles, chronologies, title ideas, to do lists, lists of words, character descriptions, main points and themes such as Words vs. Reality and Science vs. Religion.

box 17, folder 8

ATKDRWNAOH

Scope and Contents

Initials stand for Among Those Killed in the Dawn Raid Was Noam, Aged One Hundred. This folder contains one Post-It with a note about Noam confronted, surrounded and stabbed by pachucos in the 1950s.

box 17, folder 9

Robo 2 floppies

Scope and Contents

Thirteen floppy disks include notes and multiple drafts.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Thirteen 3.5-inch floppy disks

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.

box 17, folder 10

Robo 2 CD

Scope and Contents

One CD includes draft 6 for printing.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

1 CD

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.

box 18, folder 1-2

Noam Sain and the Altadena Bungalow

Scope and Contents

One Robo 2 typescript.

box 18, folder 3

Robo 3 Notes

Scope and Contents

Materials for Plagens' third Robo novel include handwritten research titles and corresponding page numbers, clippings and photocopies from Brad and Sherry Steiger's dossier, Conspiracies and Secret Societies.

box 18, folder 4-7

Robo 3

Scope and Contents

Four copies of Plagens' third Robo novel are titled, Robo 3: Among Those Killed in the Dawn Raid Was the Reverend Noam Sain, Aged One Hundred.

box 18, folder 8

Robo 3 floppies

Scope and Contents

Two floppy disks include chapters in outline format and a first draft of the novel.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Two 3.5-inch floppy disks

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.

box 19, folder 1-4

Lieutenant Kao

Scope and Contents

Two copies of Plagens' unpublished novel that tells the story of a kamikaze pilot who survives and ends up as a houseboy in a sorority house.

box 19, folder 5-6

Lt. Kao Japan

Scope and Contents

Research materials for the novel include photocopies of articles and print-outs from the internet concerning Japanese history.

box 19, folder 7

Lt. Kao U.S.

Scope and Contents

Research materials for the novel include clippings, email correspondence with sorority sisters, print outs of internet articles on Japanese American history in Los Angeles, the story's chronology, stream of consciousness notes by a sorority sister on Greek letter organizations and a "50th Anniversary of the Founding of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity" booklet, Plagens' USC fraternity.

box 19, folder 8

Lt. Kao floppies circa 2000-2002

Scope and Contents

Three floppy disks include drafts, notes and business materials.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Three 3.5-inch floppy disks

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.

box 20, folder 1

Confessions of a Fellatrix undated

Scope and Content

One copy of Plagens' unpublished novel/memoir hybrid.

box 20, folder 2

N3 floppies 2005-2006

Scope and Content

Versions of Plagens' unpublished Novel 3, a novel/memoir hybrid entitled Confessions of a Fellatrix.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Eight 3.5-inch floppy disks

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.

box 20, folder 3-9

The Art Critic circa 2008

Scope and Contents

Folders 3-6 contain three photocopied manuscripts of Plagens' online novel, which was first published as a serial in 24 weekly installments by Artnet, and then again in 2012 by Hol Art Books. Folders 7 and 8 contain a draft with Laurie Fendrich's edits and annotations and folder 9 contains nine floppy disks of various drafts.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Nine 3.5-inch floppy disks

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.

box 21, folder 1-3

TAC - Rewrite circa 2008

Scope and Contents

Folders 1 and 2 include the original copy of the manuscript with Laurie Fendrich's edits and annotations as well as some notes by Plagens. Folder 3 includes two floppy disks with rewrites of Plagens' second novel and raw material.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Two 3.5-inch floppy disks

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.

box 36, folder 7

TAC e-book shelf surrogate 2012

Scope and Contents

This shelf surrogate consists of a color copy of the novel's cover, back and spine, a bookmark and tassel. These materials were created by Hol Art Books and include instructions for assembly. The text on the bookmark reads: "The critic's job is to prevent the next Jeff Koons or Mark Kostabi from gaining a fucking foothold."

box 22, folder 1

Nauman research/notes 2008-2009

Scope and Contents

Materials concerning Plagens' book, Bruce Nauman: The True Artist, include questions for interviews with Connie Lewallen, John Baldessari, Frank Owen, Brenda Richardson and Jane Livingston, Plagens' handwritten notes on Nauman's life and William T. Wiley's handwritten responses to Plagens concerning his work with Nauman at UC Davis.

box 22, folder 2

Nauman - Chronologies

Scope and Contents

Plagens' typed chronology covers Nauman's life and work from 1941-2009.

box 22, folder 3

Nauman draft

Scope and Contents

Early draft of the Nauman manuscript with annotations and a photocopy of the Leo Castelli Gallery catalog for Nauman's first one-man exhibition in New York.

box 22, folder 4-8

Nauman manuscript circa 2009

Scope and Contents

Multiple versions of the Nauman manuscript. Folders 5 and 6 include corrections by Bruce Nauman and Angela Westwater. Folder 7 includes a copy of the manuscript on a CD for Phaidon Press.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

1 CD

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.

box 22, folder 9

Bruce Nauman in Venice 2009

Scope and Contents

Press releases, image sheets, Nauman biography/bibliography and exhibition venue maps comprise Plagens' folder for Bruce Nauman: Topological Gardens, the official United States representation at the 53rd International Art Exhibition -- La Biennale di Venezia.

box 22, folder 10

Nauman: Readings

Scope and Contents

Photocopies of articles and bibliographies.

box 23, folder 1

Nauman 2 Do

Scope and Contents

To do lists, correspondence concerning edits, and a CD with a Word file of the book.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

1 CD

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.

box 23, folder 2-4

Nauman: Visuals

Scope and Contents

Materials include postcards, Mapping the Studio II booklet, Flayed Earth/Flayed Self (Skin/Sink) publication for exhibition at the Nicholas Wilder Gallery, four CDs and a flash drive of images.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

4 CDs and 1 flash drive

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.

box 23, folder 5

Nauman: Misc. documents 2008

Scope and Contents

Proposal for the Nauman book and a Sperone Westwater press release for Bruce Nauman: Drawings for Installations, his ninth solo exhibition with the gallery.

box 23, folder 6

Nauman MSS: To Print CD-R

Scope and Contents

This CD-R stores an electronic copy of Plagens' Nauman manuscript.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

1 CD-R

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.

Correspondence 1972-2013

Scope and Content

This series includes personal and professional correspondence.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SERIES 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.

box 24, folder 1-6

Correspondence 1972-2006

Scope and Contents

Folder 1 includes letters from Ron Linden and actor Jack MacGowran.

Folder 2 includes letters from Walter Gabrielson, Doug Hilson, Merwin Belin, George Plagens, Ron Linden, Jayne Plagens, M. Louise Stanley, John Coplans, Brenda Richardson, Isabel McIlvain, Cynthia Maughan and Peter Schjeldahl.

Folder 3 includes letters from Laurie Fendrich, Phoebe Plagens, Adrian Biddell, George Plagens, Walter Gabrielson, Dave Hickey, Jayne Plagens, M. Kenneth Suddleson, Joseph D. Masheck, Bert Irvin, Felicitas Wetter, Marilyn Baxter, Doug Hilson and Merwin Belin.

Folder 4 includes art writing correspondence.

Folder 5 includes letters from Ron Linden, Walter Gabrielson, John Coplans, Jim Lee, Clarence Morgan, Marina Faust, Bill Pigman, Merwin Belin, Brenda Richardson and Johannes Lacher.

Folder 6 includes letters from Ron Linden, Richard de Mille, John L. Garrett, Walter Gabrielson and George Plagens. Correspondence from George Plagens includes clippings and family photos.

box 25, folder 1

Art/Writing Biz 1996-2013

Scope and Contents

Correspondence and attached agreements concerning publishing rights.

box 25, folder 2

A Drama In Your Mailbox Production postcards 1997-2004

Scope and Contents

These humorous postcards are from Doug Hilson, founder and director of Doug's Museum of which Plagens said, "Most real museums worry about fake art. Doug's Museum is a fake museum that worries about real art."

box 25, folder 3-4

About Painting 2002-2003

Scope and Contents

About Painting was Plagens' idea for a painting focused art magazine that could branch out into history, chemistry, iconography and market. Plagens was working with a graphic designer, publications person and reaching out to writers, including John Updike who were interested in contributing to this publication. Adding "About" to the title was Laurie Fendrich's idea in order to move it to the top of alphabetical journal listings. They tried to raise two million dollars to start it up but struggled to sell the idea of an art magazine confined to painting.

Folder 3 contains email correspondence and Plagens' About Painting press card.

Folder 4 contains a trademark search report.

box 25, folder 5

T-shirt 2007

Scope and Contents

Email correspondence from Plagens discusses a t-shirt gift list for the holidays and black widow spider images from the jacket of Eric Ambler's 1940 spy novel which were used for the t-shirt design. One leg of the spider splayed out too much, so Plagens eliminated it and created a seven-legged spider for his t-shirt design.

box 25, folder 6

Auburn cards

Scope and Contents

Two Auburn University thank you cards are signed by students who appreciated Plagens' visit to their class.

box 25, folder 7

Warhol/Creative Capital Grant floppies

Scope and Contents

Correspondence, proposals and images.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Two 3.5-inch floppy disks

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.

Lectures circa 1980-2009

Scope and Content

This series includes annotated typescripts of lectures, slides, a program and posters.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SERIES 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.

box 26, folder 1

This is About Formalist Painting in L.A. slides circa 1980

Scope and Contents

Slides used for a lecture Plagens gave at UCLA Extension in which he never spoke, but experimented with a purely visual talk. Plagens describes abstract painting in the context of Los Angeles through this series of 19 slides which capture his humorous descriptions written in black ink on white posters.

box 26, folder 2

GIGS floppies 1994-2001

Scope and Contents

Documentation of Plagens' lectures.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Two 3.5-inch floppy disks

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.

box 26, folder 3-4

Lecture notes

Scope and Contents

Materials include typed lectures and panel discussion notes with Plagens' annotations for presentations at USC, Columbia Columbia College, the Jewish Museum, the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference and the Southeastern College Art Conference (SECAC) Annual Meeting. His USC Roski School of Art and Design lecture, "A Simple Country Painter" is in folder 3.

box 26, folder 5

CAEA conference program 2002

Scope and Content

Shifting Perspectives, the Colorado Art Education Association (CAEA) Fall conference program features keynote speakers Peter Plagens and Laurie Fendrich.

box 26, folder 6

The Absolute Truth CD-R 2008 February 6

Scope and Contents

Recording of Plagens' "The Absolute Truth about Contemporary Art" lecture at the New York Studio School.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

One CD-R

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.

box 36, folder 6

Peter Plagens posters 2009

Scope and Contents

Three full color posters announce Plagens' lectures at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) for its School of Art and Design's Painter/Art Critic Lecture Series.

Course Materials 1985-2011

Scope and Content

This series includes course evaluations, syllabi, lecture notes, assignments, assessments, readings, discussion questions and student papers from courses taught at Princeton University, Hofstra University, Middlebury College and New York University.

box 27, folder 1

Princeton evaluations 1985-1986

Scope and Contents

Cumulative course evaluations by Princeton University students for Plagens' Visual Arts 304 course.

box 27, folder 2

Hofstra class final project 1986

Scope and Contents

A photocopy of Plagens' final project assignment for Hofstra classes FA 5 and FA 14 includes size, materials, description, purpose, method and criteria for evaluation.

box 27, folder 3-4

HARC 0307 Archives 2005

Scope and Contents

Contemporary Art and Criticism course materials include a syllabus, timelines, lecture notes, photocopies of readings and lists of questions.

box 27, folder 5

Colloquium 2005

Scope and Contents

Readings, timelines and a syllabus for Plagens' Middlebury College Faculty Colloquium entitled, "The Anxious Object of Modern Art: Questioning the work of art from Cubism through Performance Art."

box 27, folder 6-7

Hofstra Seminar Reading 2008

Scope and Content

Course materials for Plagens' Hofstra University seminar, "The Artist's Practice" include photocopies of readings, handwritten lecture notes and a syllabus.

box 27, folder 8

NYU 2009

Scope and Contents

Plagens' Seminar in Art Criticism course materials include correspondence from NYU, handwritten and typed notes, discussion questions, quizzes, student course evaluations and a syllabus.

box 28, folder 1-2

NYU 2011

Scope and Contents

Plagens' Seminar in Art Criticism course materials include photocopies of readings, typed lecture notes, student papers and a syllabus.

Photos and Slides 1958-2014

Scope and Content

This series is comprised of personal photos and slides.

box 29, folder 1

JMHS prom after party photocopy 1958 June

Scope and Contents

One photocopy of a high school photograph captures Plagens and friends at Moulin Rouge, a nightclub in Hollywood that hosted the John Marshall High School after-prom dinner. Plagens is seated at the front of the table dressed in a white suit with a plaid bow tie and cummerbund.

box 29, folder 2-3

Personal slides 1964-1999

Scope and Contents

Folder 2: Slides include images of his studios in Los Angeles on Union Street, 239 South Los Angeles Street and in Pasadena as well as his studios in Austin, Texas, Durham, North Carolina, Johnson, Vermont and New York. There are also images of Peter and children: Paul Wisdom Plagens, Sybil Wisdom, and Phoebe Plagens. Other slides capture images of Peter and his wife Laurie Fendrich, best friend Walter Gabrielson, gallerist Nancy Hoffman, George Green, Robert Pincus-Witten, Jim DeFrance, Sydney Littenberg, Johannes Lacher, Mitchell Kahan, David Gates and Merwin Belin.

Folder 3: Slides include images of Peter and his wife Laurie Fendrich, their daughter Phoebe, and Plagens's studios in Los Angeles, Texas and New York.

box 29, folder 4

Personal photos 1979-1996

Scope and Contents

Color photographs include images of the exterior and interior of Plagens' 239 S. Los Angeles Street studio, Peter and Ed Ruscha, Laurie Fendrich, Jayne Plagens, Johannes Lacher, George Plagens, son Paul Wisdom Plagens, daughters Sybil Wisdom and Phoebe Plagens, George Garcia and Peter's sister Pamela Garcia, Merwin Belin, Doug Hilson, David Gates, Ron Linden and a Polaroid portrait of Plagens signed by Suzanne Paul.

box 29, folder 5

Peter and Phoebe photos 1984

Scope and Contents

Two black and white photos of Plagens and his daughter.

box 29, folder 6

"Sep Bye to LA" photos circa 1985

Scope and Contents

Three photo album pages feature images of Peter's daughter Phoebe in Little Tokyo, at his studio in downtown Los Angeles and at the Hollywood Bowl.

box 29, folder 7

Paul Wisdom Plagens head shots undated

Scope and Contents

Black and white head shots of Peter's son Paul Wisdom Plagens.

box 29, folder 8

Dora Maar House residency photos 2009 April 30-May 31

Scope and Contents

Color photos of Plagens and Laurie Fendrich, in front of the Dora Maar House in Southern France.

box 29, folder 9

Peter photo 2010

Scope and Contents

One black and white image from a Hofstra University publication of Plagens teaching.

box 29, folder 10

Ruth Bachofner Gallery opening photo 2014

Scope and Contents

One color photograph of Ron Linden, Elizabeth Medina and Plagens in the Ruth Bachofner Gallery at the Bergamot Station Art Center.

Notebooks and Datebooks 1995-2013

Scope and Content

This series is comprised of notebooks, datebooks, to-do lists, a mailing list and address book.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SERIES 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.

box 30

Notebooks and to do lists circa 2007-2013

Scope and Contents

Two notebooks filled with ideas and to do lists written on notecards and Post-Its.

box 31, folder 1-15

Datebooks 1996-2004, 2008-2012

Scope and Contents

These 15 annual datebooks are heavily annotated by Plagens.

box 31, folder 16

Mailing list and address book floppies 2006, 2008

Scope and Contents

Electronic copies of Plagens' mailing list and address book.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Two 3.5-inch floppy disks

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.

DRIPS 1984-2006

Scope and Content

This series contains copies of Plagens' journal entries. These are also referred to as DRPS or DRP, abbreviations for the painter's DRIPS.

These materials are restricted until three years after the death of Peter Plagens.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

SERIES 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.

box 32, folder 1

White Paintings 1985-1990

Scope and Content

This folder title refers to a notice in The New Yorker that said, "White paintings, with drips, by the art critic." According to Plagens, "Somehow my drips into a journal seemed to echo the drips (traces of my passing through) on a canvas."

These materials are restricted until three years after the death of Peter Plagens.

box 33, folder 1-6, box 32, folder 2-6

DRP 1991-1998

Scope and Content

Box 32: 1991-1995

Box 33: 1996-1998

These materials are restricted until three years after the death of Peter Plagens.

box 35, folder 1-8, box 34, folder 1-7

DRPS 1999-2008

Scope and Contents

Box 34: 1999-2003

Box 35: 2004-2008

These materials are restricted until three years after the death of Peter Plagens.

box 35, folder 9-10

DRPS floppies 1984-2006

Scope and Contents

These items are restricted until three years after the death of Peter Plagens.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Thirteen 3.5-inch floppy disks

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.

Memorabilia 1938-2013

Scope and Content

This series consists of art work created by Peter's father, George Plagens, publications, flyers, memorial programs, an illustrated trip diary by Walter Gabrielson and Nancy Goldberg, a Newsweek special issue cover which features Peter, a John Marshall High School 40th reunion program and badge, a file of humorous annotated clippings for painter Doug Hilson, a North Carolina personalized license plate, materials from Plagens' studio walls, his Columbia University National Arts Journalism certificate and September 11, 2001 notes written on an empty cigarettes pack.

box 36, folder 1

George Plagens' art work 1938, undated

Scope and Contents

These three pieces, created by Plagens' father who worked as a freelance commercial artist, are futuristic imaginings of airplanes, a pilot and an automobile. According to Peter, the sum of George H. Plagens' formal training was a few night classes at the Cleveland Art Institute.

box 37, folder 1

George Plagens' cartoon 1938

Scope and Contents

Framed cartoon by Plagens' father, published in Collier's magazine, depicting window washers harnessed to a building while shooting at birds with water guns. The caption reads, "Tsk Tsk! Missed again!"

box 37, folder 2

Lucky Strike cigarettes pack circa 1940s

Scope and Content

Cigarettes pack created by George H. Plagens, who created samples such as this to add to his portfolio while he searched for freelance work as a commercial artist.

box 37, folder 3

The 1941 Cars clipping 1941

Scope and Contents

Painter and friend Doug Hilson gave this clipping to Plagens for his birthday. Hilson is also a Professor of Fine Art at Hofstra University. According to Plagens, Hilson holds a vast collection of vintage postcards and magazines. Examples of these postcards and vintage magazine clippings may be found in the "A Drama In Your Mailbox Production" postcards folder within the Correspondence series of this collection.

box 37, folder 4

Clippings and publications 1973-2005

Scope and Contents

Publications include Two Qualms & a Quirk: Three Stories by Richard de Mille signed by the author, Walter Gabrielson's "The Openings Gambit or For One Night in L.A." text and drawings, The Daily Pigeon newspaper and "The Continuous Mark: 40 Years of the New York Studio School."

Clippings include "Decline and Resistance: The New Radicalness of the Subject" by Peter Oswald, "Diana, Surrogate Princess" by Barbara Ehrenreich, and "Death Explains Himself" by Roger Rosenblatt. This folder also includes an article on the life and death of basketball player Curtis Conrad and a "Murder on the Midway: Sordid Life and Death of Lobster Boy" article.

box 37, folder 5

Untitled publication 1974

Scope and Contents

Los Angeles art publication with an interview with Plagens at his Pasadena studio.

box 37, folder 6

ABSTRART license plate 1981

Biography/History

Plagens was professor of the fine art and art history department at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill from 1980-1984 and chaired this department from 1980-1983. He and wife Laurie Fendrich sublet a place in Chapel Hill their first year and then moved to Durham where they lived in "Peter's Folly," a Jehovah's Witnesses church that Plagens describes as a "...loft on a cement slab." The couple bought a new Honda in 1981 and this was its vanity plate.

box 37, folder 7

Hot Flashes quarterly 1993

Scope and Contents

This premiere issue by the Guerilla Girls, self-described "feminist masked avengers," is devoted to their examination of The New York Times' art critics. The publication's tagline is "All the sexism, racism and homophobia that fits, we complain about."

box 37, folder 8

Memorial programs 1994, 2000, 2004

Scope and Contents

Memorial programs for Newsweek editor, critic and writer Jack Kroll, Robert Paul Tavetian, and artist John Coplans, founder and former editor of Artforum magazine.

box 37, folder 9

Diary of a Small Journey 1995

Scope and Contents

One photocopy of Walter Gabrielson and Nancy Goldberg's illustrated diary of their trip to Paris and Italy, and photocopies of Gabrielson's cartoon work from the 1960s.

box 37, folder 10

Hilson file 1995-2000

Scope and Contents

Plagens' humorous file for his friend, painter Doug Hilson contains Hall 'O' Fame materials that include witty annotations on clippings, invitations and photographs concerning art openings, lectures, Donald Judd's work at the Chinati Foundation, and going to the movies with Pee Wee Herman.

box 37, folder 11

Nova International Enterprise flyer undated

Scope and Contents

This flyer lists a Post Office Box in the Bronx to write to for "Financing to Start or Spand Your Business. Free Details." Plagens picked this up off the street because of the strange use of the word "spand."

box 36, folder 9

Newsweek cover 2002 May 31

Scope and Contents

One color photocopy of a Newsweek Special Issue cover with a photographic portrait of Plagens features the following headline and subhead: "Van Goghing, Van Goghn: Peter Gives Us a Brush With Greatness."

box 37, folder 12

JMHS Reunion program 1998

Scope and Contents

Plagens' 40 Year John Marshall High School Reunion program includes his laminated photo badge.

box 37, folder 13

Columbia University certificate 1999

Scope and Contents

This Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism certificate documents Plagens as one of four senior fellows in the National Arts Journalism Program from August, 1998 to May, 1999.

box 37, folder 14

911 notes 2001 September 11

Scope and Contents

Plagens found these September 11th notes on the street. An attack timeline is written on the inside of this Newport cigarettes pack.

box 37, folder 15

Plagens portrait 2002

Scope and Content

Portrait on ruled paper with black ballpoint pen and metallic blue pen. Plagens recalls that he is unsure of the artist but it may have been his wife, Laurie, making a fake Picasso portrait of him.

box 37, folder 16

Wall material undated

Scope and Contents

Materials include items that were previously posted on Plagens' studio walls such as a Polaroid photo of his daughter, Phoebe, a photograph of best friend Walter Gabrielson, art by Phoebe, an announcement for a National Gallery of Art press breakfast and restoration preview of the three panels of Gerard David's The Saint Anne Altarpiece, and a poster of the Fifteenth General Staff Course Army Air Forces Group.

box 37, folder 17

Bad Boy 2013

Scope and Contents

This hardcover copy of painter Eric Fischl's autobiography includes annotations by Plagens.