Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Bissinger, Karl
- 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.
- Extent:
- 2.4 linear feet
- Language:
- Collection materials in English.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Karl Bissinger Papers, D-189, Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
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.
- Biographical / historical:
-
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.
- Acquisition information:
- Acquired in 1975.
- Arrangement:
-
The Papers are arranged into four series: 1. Literary Productions 2. Correspondence 3. Subject Files and 4. Photographic Materials.
- Physical location:
- Researchers should contact Special Collections to request collections, as many are stored offsite.
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
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.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Karl Bissinger Papers, D-189, Department of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis.
- Location of this collection:
-
University of California, Davis, Special Collections, UC Davis Library100 NW QuadDavis, CA 95616-5292, US
- Contact:
- (530) 752-1621