Guide to the Zach Stewart Papers M2206
Franz Kunst
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
2017
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Zach Stewart papers
creator:
Stewart, Zach
source:
Stewart, Zach
Identifier/Call Number: M2206
Physical Description:
2 Linear Feet
(4 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1964-1974
Abstract: Zach Stewart and the architecture firm Osborne & Stewart worked with Stewart Brand and many others to create arts events in
the 1960s, including America Needs Indians, Sensoriums, and the Trips Festival. They were also involved with an unrealized
design project for the United Farmworkers in Delano, California.
Related Materials
Stanford Special Collections also holds the Stewart Brand papers (M1237: https://searchworks.stanford.edu/view/4688803).
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Audiovisual materials
are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.
Conditions Governing Use
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Zach Stewart; 2017. Accession MSS 2017-059.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], Zach Stewart papers (M2206). Department of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford
University Libraries, Stanford, California.
Scope and Contents
Zachary "Zach" R. Stewart is an architect whose firm with fellow Stanford alumnus Dan Osborne worked with Stewart Brand and
others on a number of mid-to-late 1960s arts/multi-media/happenings in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the country,
including the inter-related America Needs Indians and Sensorium series, as well as staging the Trips Festival at Longshoreman's
Hall in 1966. Much of the coordination and logistics, as well as the design and publicity, were performed by Osborne & Stewart.
America Needs Indians as an organization (it was also the name of several events) was located at the firm's offices at 25
Hotaling Place. Osborne & Stewart was also part of an unrealized project to design the United Farmworkers Organizing Committee
headquarters in Delano, California.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Happenings (Art)
Architects.
Installations (Art) -- United States.
Indians of North America -- Public opinion
Stewart, Zach
Stewart, Zach
Brand, Stewart
United Farm Workers
Series 1. America Needs Indians
Scope and Contents
Perhaps named for Iktomi's 1937 book, America Needs Indians was both a movement and a series of art happening/performance/installations
involving music, dance, images, and other sensory elements, ostensibly about American Indians.
box 1, folder 1
Brand/Stewart correspondence re: ANI, Sensoriums, etc. (copies)
box 1, folder 3
correspondence
January-May 1965
box 1, folder 4
correspondence
June-September 1965
box 1, folder 5
correspondence
October-December 1965
box 1, folder 6
correspondence
1966 etc.
Scope and Contents
A few letters date from 1967, 1969 and 1974.
box 1, folder 10
originals- exhibit design, draft text, Brand photograph
box 1, folder 11
notes, memoranda, sketches, other logistics
Scope and Contents
Also includes some Sesnorium material.
Series 2. Sensoriums
Scope and Contents
As defined by Stewart in 1966 article, "A Sensorium is 'son et lumiere' -- sound and light." This series of multimedia events
took place at such places as The Committee and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Most were numbered, although some presentations
repeated a theme. Several Sensoriums were also titled "America Needs Indians." Later productions, such as those at Grace Cathedral,
sometimes did not refer to themselves as Sensoriums.
box 1, folder 12
Sensorium 1-6 calendar flier with drafts
box 1, folder 13
Sensorium 6: America Needs Indians
1965
box 1, folder 14
Sensorium 7: America Needs Indians
1965
box 2, folder 1
Sensorium 9 & 22: The Architecture of Energy
1965-1966
box 2, folder 2
Yin & Yang: I.D.S.A. Sensorium (San Francisco Art Institute)
1966
box 2, folder 3
Four Thousand Years Sensorium (Grace Cathedral)
1969
box 2, folder 4
A Vigil for the Great Family (Grace Cathedral)
1971
Series 3. Trips Festival
1966
Scope and Contents
The Trips Festival was also billed as America Needs Indians/Sensorium 9 By Stewart Brand and Zach Stewart. Osborne and Stewart
were credited in the program with "Environment." Material includes correspondence, notes, sketches, and bills and receipts
for items that were rented or purchased in order to stage the event. Although there is some correspondence with promoter Bill
Graham, there are no references the bands that played or any contractual paperwork. However, the file does include the two-sided
black & white handbill designed by Wes Wilson, and a few slides taken at the event.
box 2, folder 6
handbills, correspondence
1966
box 2, folder 7
notes, sketches, bills, receipts, etc.
1966
Series 4. Hoving Celebration- Parks
1967
Scope and Contents
Billed as "A Celebration of Tom Hoving" or "A Celebration of the Future," this event seems to have been organized by Osborne
& Stewart, but the incomplete file provides relatively little information.
Box 2, Folder 8
notes, press releases, correspondence, etc.
Series 5. Ernest Lowe "Don't Cry For Me Babey"
1966
Scope and Contents
Osborne & Stewart provided logistical support for photographer Ernest Lowe's installation about farmworkers titled "Don't
Cry For Me Babey: Farm Labor Environment." The exhibition was presented at San Francisco's de Young Museum September 10th-October
11, 1966. More information about Lowe can be found at his website: http://ernestlowe.com.
Box 2, Folder 9
notes, text drafts, correspondence, fliers, reviews, etc.
Series 6. National Farmworkers Service Center, Delano project
1967
Scope and Contents
Osborne & Stewart was was involved with the development of the United Farmworkers Organizing Committee headquarters in Delano,
California. titled officially the National Farmworkers Service Center. It was to be on the same property as 40 Acres. The
project was never completed but it illustrates the aspirations of the organization in the Fall of 1967. Included is correspondence
with UFW Executive Director LeRoy Chatfield and builder Jim Holland. Cesar Chavez is mentioned frequently but there are no
letters from or to him. Other material includes notes, sketches and memoranda. There are also many photographs whicyh are
probably related to the Delano project. No photographer is credited, but some correspondence does refer to photographs. Included
are images of Cesar Chavez, Delores Huerta, and UFW activity, as well as argicultural work, construction, and residences.
Osborne & Stewart also worked with photographer Ernest Lowe in an installation about farm work, so some of the photos may
be his. There is also a slideshow that was assembled to demonstrate the project to the UFWOC membership at a Thanksgiving
gathering in 1967. The slides have been removed from the original carousel. An audio reel probably accompanies the slideshow.
Box 2, Folder 10
notes, correspondence, sketches ,etc.
box 3
photographs: farmworkers, Central Valley, UFW, etc.
Scope and Contents
Distinct series of prints with numbers and punch holes for binding. No photographer or identifying notes present (may also
be related to Lowe exhibit).
box 2, folder 11
photographs: farmworkers, Central Valley, UFW, etc.
Scope and Contents
No photographer or identifying notes present (may also be related to Lowe exhibit).
box 2, folder 12
photographs, snapshots, etc.: farmworkers, Central Valley, UFW, etc.
Scope and Contents
Some images suggest they were taken as part of the planning for the Service Center. Some correspondence refers to these being
taken, but no photographer or identifying notes present on the prints. Some may also be related to the Ernest Lowe exhibit.
box 2, folder 13
UFW/Delano slides from carousel presentation
box 2, folder 14
Delano Show 5" audio reel
Series 7: oversize material
Box 4, Folder 1
Mills College Club of San Francisco "The Look of the City" handbill featuring Zach Stewart & John Vietor ; 2 Stewart Brand
photographs ; flier and two posters for Whale, Pelican & Pygmy Forest Sensorium at Grace Cathedral March 19, 1971 ; Pacific
Sun review of SFMOMA Sensorium May 1966
