Guide to the Frank Cancian photographs for Main Street UCI AS.154

Finding aid prepared by Audra Eagle Yun, 2012. Updated by Elvia Arroyo-Ramirez, 2022.
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries
(cc) 2022
The UCI Libraries
P.O. Box 19557
University of California, Irvine
Irvine 92623-9557
spcoll@uci.edu


Contributing Institution: Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries
Title: Frank Cancian photographs for Main Street UCI
Creator: Cancian, Frank
Identifier/Call Number: AS.154
Physical Description: 0.8 Linear Feet (3084 digital files and 2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 2009-2011
Abstract: This collection consists of ephemera and photographs taken by University of California, Irvine anthropology professor emeritus Frank Cancian (1934-2020) from 2009-2011. The photographs, consisting of more than 3000 photographs taken over seventy-five sessions, document the people, events, and spaces in the Ring Mall on the UC Irvine campus, and were compiled by Cancian into a project and exhibit entitled "Main Street UCI."
Language of Material: Collection materials are in English.

Access

The collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

This material is provided for private study, scholarship, or research. Transmission or reproduction of any material protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. The authors or their heirs retain their copyrights to the material. Contact the University of California, Irvine Libraries, Special Collections and Archives for more information (spcoll@uci.edu).

Preferred Citation

Frank Cancian photographs for Main Street UCI. AS-154. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Frank Cancian, 2012.

Processing History

Processed by Audra Eagle Yun, 2012.

Historical Background

Frank Cancian (1934-2020) was professor emeritus of anthropology and documentary photographer at the University of California, Irvine. His scholarly interests focused on comparative social inequality. He worked on issues in economic anthropology, peasant studies and Mexican studies, as well as documentary and ethnographic photography.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in 2 series:
  • Series 1. Digital photographs
  • Series 2. Ephemera and field notes

Scope and Content Summary

This collection consists of ephemera and photographs taken by University of California, Irvine anthropology professor emeritus Frank Cancian (1934-2020) from 2009-2011. The photographs, consisting of more than 3000 photographs taken over seventy-five sessions, document the people, events, and spaces in the Ring Mall on the UC Irvine campus, and were compiled by Cancian into a project and exhibit entitled "Main Street UCI."
In February 2009, Cancian stopped in the Ring Mall plaza at UC Irvine to take pictures of a student campaigning for homecoming queen. Two weeks later, he found traveling evangelists in the plaza and photographed them and the students interacting with them. Cancian continued to photograph life on the Ring Mall, primarily between the Social Sciences buildings and the Student Center, until early 2011. The photographs were displayed in exhibitions at the Irvine Fine Arts Center (2011) and the UC Irvine Student Center (2012) and was curated into four groups: Protests, Along the Street, Play and Performance, and God.
Main Street UCI illustrates campus life at UC Irvine, featuring images of protests and demonstrations, vendor activities, religious activities, food sales, dance and other performances, campus scenes, and campus organizations.
More information about Main Street UCI may be found at http://sites.uci.edu/mainstreetuci/ . The digital photographs are available for research on Calisphere Frank Cancian Photographs for Main Street UCI .

Subjects and Indexing Terms

College students -- California -- Irvine -- Archives
Born digital
College students -- California -- Irvine -- Photographs
Digital photographs
University of California, Irvine -- Students -- Photographs
University of California, Irvine -- Faculty -- Archives
Cancian, Frank -- Archives

 

Digital photographs Series 1. 2009-2011

Physical Description: 3080 images.(3080 digital photographs)

Scope and Content Summary

This series consists of 3080 digital photographs taken over seventy-five sessions, documenting the people, events, and spaces at the Ring Mall on the UC Irvine campus, compiled by Cancian into a project and exhibit called "Main Street UCI." Main Street UCI illustrates campus life at UC Irvine, featuring images of protests and demonstrations, vendor activities, religious activities, food sales, dance and other performances, campus scenes, and organizations.

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital photographs are available for research on Calisphere Frank Cancian Photographs for Main Street UCI .
box 1, box 2

Ephemera and field notes Series 2. 2009-2011

Physical Description: 0.8 Linear Feet(2 boxes)

Scope and Content Summary

This file consists primarily of clippings, business cards, postcards, and other ephemera collected by Cancian as he walked around the Ring Mall on campus at the University of California, Irvine as part of the "Main Street UCI" project. Most of the ephemera includes handwritten notations by Cancian and one folder includes field notes written by Cancian.

Arrangement

Folders are organized according to a date scheme created by Cancian which correspond to the digital photographs taken during the project.