finding aid for the Michael Corris papers of the Art & Language New York group, 1965-2002 2003.M.32

Laura Schroffel
Special Collections
2009
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles 90049-1688
Business Number: (310) 440-7390
Fax Number: (310) 440-7780
reference@getty.edu


Contributing Institution: Special Collections
Title: Michael Corris papers of the Art & Language New York group
Creator: Menard, Andrew, 1948-
Creator: Atkinson, Terry, 1939-
Creator: Corris, Michael
Creator: Kosuth, Joseph
Creator: Venet, Bernar, 1941-
Creator: Art & Language (Group)
Creator: Art & Language (New York)
Creator: Ramsden, Mel
Creator: Burn, Ian, 1939-1993
Identifier/Call Number: 2003.M.32
Physical Description: 39.3 Linear Feet (19 boxes, 21 flatfiles, and 3 rolls)
Date (inclusive): 1965-2002
Abstract: The collection documents the activities of the conceptual art group Art & Language New York. Art & Language New York challenged the assumption that art is necessarily visual by questioning ideas of perception and the institutional stake of museums and the art market.
Physical Location: Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the catalog record  for this collection. Click here for the access policy .
Language of Material: Collection material is in English.

Biographical/Historical Note

The conceptual art group Art & Language was originally established in Great Britain in 1967 by Terry Atkinson and Michael Baldwin. With expanding international membership and recognition for its publication Art-Language, as well as the relocation of several members to New York, the group established a New York section in 1971 called Art & Language New York. The papers of the Art & Language New York group were assembled by Michael Corris, an artist, writer and key group member. Art & Language New York's participating members also included Ian Burn, Mel Ramsden, Prestin Heller, Andrew Menard, Joseph Kosuth, and Bernar Venet. The New York group thrived from the early 1970's to its dissolution in 1977. During that time however it was entrenched in conflict with the United Kingdom Art & Language. Art & Language New York created its own journal called The Fox hoping to generate more exposure than Art-Language. Through critical dialog The Fox meant to clarify artistic relationships between ideologies and institutions to explicate the significant differences between the social and political conditions of New York and that of the English Midlands. Art & Language New York group also participated in exhibitions, lectures, and was devoted to political activities. The group made significant contributions to other organizations such as Artists Meeting for Cultural Change, Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union, and the art group Red-Herring. Art & Language New York challenged the assumption that art is necessarily visual by questioning ideas of perception and the institutional stake of museums and the art market. Thus the work of Art & Language New York contributed to the shaping of the practice and theorization of the conceptual art movement, which was particularly manifested in the divergence between Art & Language New York and Art & Language United Kingdom.

Scope and Content of Collection

The collection documents the activities of Art & Language New York. It contains correspondence, original circulated photocopies with remarks, transcripts, typescripts, audio cassette tapes, LP records, one videotape, photographic materials, announcements, publications, and artworks. Artworks include prints, drawings, and mock-ups. All materials in the collection were collated by key group member, Michael Corris. Circulating projects and texts among group members was a common practice which fostered discussion and garnered one of Art & Language's core principles of collaboration. Similarly, the many transcripts in the collection reflect the group's discursive nature and serve as documents and summaries of their many discussions.
Series I of the collection focuses on the work of Art & Language New York's group activities from 1970 to 1976, including projects relating to indexing and mapping systems. Art & Language's indexing pieces were originally developed for Documenta V in 1972. Indexing and mapping projects were manifested in installations, art pieces, and publications. They comprise: Index 001, Index 002, Index 003, Blurting in Art & Language: An Index of Blurts, and Map of Annotations. Other significant work in this series includes the group's materials associated with Art & Language New York's own publication, The Fox. Original issues, illustrations and texts have been compiled. Art & Language New York's development of projects associated with artistic cultural-political movements in the national and international sphere included programs in Washington 1975-1976, Yugoslavia 1975-1976, Australia 1975-1976, and Venice, 1976. Letters, typescripts, photography and prints document their national and international initiatives.
Series II and III contain materials related to Art & Language New York's involvement with other cultural-political groups. Art & Language New York participated in projects with the Artists Meeting for Cultural Change (AMCC), the Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union (AICU), and the art group Red-Herring. Significant items relating to the AMCC and the AICU are the broadsheets Boycott this museum, 1976, Boycott this show, 1976, and several transcripts of public speeches.
Series IV comprises materials related to Art & Language following the dissolution of Art & Language New York in early 1977. Group members both from the UK and New York continued to be active within Art & Language. They produced the retrospective exhibition, The artist out of work: Art & Language, 1972-1981. The series contains photographs, manuscripts and files documenting the exhibition. This series also includes illustrative contributions to Art & Language's journal, Art-Language.
The remaining collection materials are from key artist members of Art & Language New York with files representing work by Terry Atkinson, Ian Burn, Michael Corris, Joseph Kosuth and Bernar Venet.

Processing History

In 2009 with grant funding from the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR), Laura Schroffel processed the collection, made an inventory, devised the arrangement and wrote the descriptive notes under the supervision of Ann Harrison.

Preferred Citation

Michael Corris papers of the Art & Language New York group, 1965-2002, The Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles, Accession no. 2003.M.32
http://hdl.handle.net/10020/cifa2003m32

Acquisition Information

Acquired in 2003.

Access

Open for use by qualified researchers, with the exception of unreformatted audiovisual materials.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in five series: Series I. Art & Language New York, 1971-1977; Series II. Materials relating to cal/cultural organizations, 1968-1979; Series III. Red-Herring, 1975-1981; Series IV. Art & Language, 1977-2002; Series V. artists, 1965-2002.

Separated Materials

An artist book by Bernar Venet was separated to the library.

Publication Rights

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Audiocassettes
Conceptual Art
Videotapes
Art, Modern -- 20th century
Phonograph records
Gelatin silver prints -- United States -- 20th century
Printed ephemera
Correspondence

 

Art & Language New York, Series I. 1971-1977, undated

Physical Description: 22.2 Linear Feet (11 boxes, 11 flatfiles, and 3 rolls)

Arrangement

The projects are arranged chronologically as originally devised by Michael Corris.

Scope and Contents

This series is comprised of materials from Art & Language New York's main projects carried out during the group's active lifespan. The series highlights Art & Language New York's involvement and production of indexing and mapping projects, as well as work associated with the New York group's publication, The Fox, and the group's involvement with national and international projects.
box 1, folder 1-2

Dain Gallery exhibition materials, 1971, undated

box 1, folder 1

Exhibition of lectures, 1971

Scope and Contents

Flyer was sent from Ian Burn to Gregory Battock.
box 1, folder 2

"A short introduction on the Work," flyer, undated

box 1, folder 3-6

"Frameworks and Phantoms," 1972

Scope and Contents

Text by Michael Corris and Mel Ramsden with annotations by Michael Corris and Mel Ramsden. Includes typescripts and original circulated photocopies.
box 1, folder 7-13

"The Fine Structure of Collaboration," 1972

Scope and Contents

Text is by Michael Corris.
box 1, folder 7-8

Typescript and original circulated photocopies

box 1, folder 9-10

Typescript notes

box 1, folder 11

Letter from Charles Harrison to Michael Corris

box 1, folder 12

Bibliography

box 1, folder 13

Unpublished notes

Scope and Contents

Contains Notes on Phil Sci; Notes on Teaching Programs..., Doxographical: A Study of Doctrines or Opinions, and Diana Crane: Invisible Colleges.
box 1, folder 14-15

"Comparative Models II," 1971-1972

Scope and Contents

Includes copy of Artforum, 1972, and photocopies of additional text and installation plan drawing.
 

Annotations, indexing, and philosophy of language, Index of 003 Bxal, and Blurting in A&L: An Index of Blurts, 1971-1974

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfile 1**.
box 1, folder 16-17

T-Matrix, 1971

Scope and Contents

By Michael Corris. Contains two copies of original circulated photocopy and two copies of notational key for T-Matrix II.
box 1, folder 18

"Language and Art-Language," 1972

Scope and Contents

Original circulated photocopy by Ian Burn and Mel Ramsden.
box 1, folder 19

Notes on Teaching and Learning, 1972

box 1, folder 20

Notes on Mapping. Transformational matrix and notational systems, 1972

Scope and Contents

Contains typescript, autograph manuscript and original circulated photocopy
box 1, folder 21-22

"Problems Relating to the Organization and Formulation of a Model for a Generative System of Art," 1972

Scope and Contents

By Michael Corris. Contains one typescript and one original circulated photocopy.
box 1, folder 23

Notes on Russell, Principles of Mathematics, Carnap, Ferge and others, 1972

Scope and Contents

Unpublished notes are by Michael Corris.
box 1, folder 24-25

Notes on Invisible Colleges, 1972

box 1, folder 26

"Art as Heuristic," 1972

Scope and Contents

Typescript is by Michael Corris.
box 1, folder 27

Notes on Philosophy of Science, 1972

box 1, folder 28

Notes on Style and Methodology, 1972

Scope and Contents

Unpublished notes are by Mel Ramsden.
box 1, folder 29

Bibliographies of philosophy, philosophy of science and models, 1972

box 1, folder 30-32

Index 003 Bxal, 1973

Scope and Contents

By Terry Atkinson, Michael Baldwin, and Philip Pilkington. Includes original circulated photocopy, photographs, and forms for the index. Photographs are by Walter Russell with credit to John Weber Gallery. Photographs are of "Index III."
box 1, folder 33

Letter from Robert Cohen to Michael Corris, 1973

box 1, folder 34

Research notes on Philosophy of Science, 1973

box 1, folder 35

A Network Diagram as of Week III, 1973

Scope and Contents

Original circulated photocopy by Michael Corris.
box 1, folder 36

Notes on Indexing/Information Retrieval, 1973

Scope and Contents

Unpublished notes by Michael Corris.
box 1, folder 37

Blurting in Art & Language index cards, 1973

Scope and Contents

Index cards with subject headings and cross references. Annotated by Michael Corris.
box 2, folder 1

Handbook, 1973

Scope and Contents

Entries by Michael Corris. Annotations for Handbook that is, Blurting in Art & Language, New York: Art & Language Press and Nova Scotia College of Art & Design Press.
box 2, folder 2

Notes on Information Retrieval, Semantics and Pragmatics of Natural Language, 1973

box 2, folder 3

Notes on Annotations, 1973

box 2, folder 4

"Problems of Art and Language Space," 1973

Scope and Contents

Original circulated photocopy by Ian Burn.
box 2, folder 5

Notes on Blurting in Art & Language, 1973

box 2, folder 6

First transcript, 1973 Sep 8

box 2, folder 7-9

Transcript, 1973 Sep 14

Scope and Contents

With corrections by Ian Burn. Contains typescript and original circulated photocopy.
box 2, folder 10

"Assertoric Relationships," 1973

Scope and Contents

Original circulating photocopy by T. Smith.
box 2, folder 11

Third transcript, 1973 Nov 6

box 2, folder 12

Handbook I, excerpts from the introduction, 1973

box 2, folder 13

Ideal Index, 1973

Scope and Contents

Typescript and diagram by Michael Corris.
box 2, folder 14

Handbook index, 1973

Scope and Contents

Manuscript by Michael Corris.
box 2, folder 15

Introduction to Handbook, 1973

box 13, folder 1

Audio Arts Magazine (C1), 1973

Scope and Contents

Contains one Audio Arts Magazine cassette tape, volume one. A tape of discussion by Art & Language.
box 2, folder 16

Su Braden, "Art Speaks," 1973

Scope and Contents

Clipping from Time Out.
box 2, folder 17

Art-Language, flyer, 1973

Scope and Contents

Listing of contents from Art-Language journal, volume one, 1969.
box 2, folder 18

Blurting in Art & Language, flyer, 1973

 

Map of Annotations, 1974

Scope and Contents

By Michael Corris.
Also in flatfile 1**.
box 2, folder 19

Drawing

box 2, folder 20

Notes

box 20, folder 1

Color slide

flatfile 1**

Poster and original artwork

flatfile 1**

A term-by-term matrix of the Handbook, 1974

box 2, folder 21

"Research notes on models," 1974

Scope and Contents

Manuscript by Michael Corris.
box 3, folder 1

Transcript, 1974

Scope and Contents

Original circulated photocopy by Ian Burn, Michael Corris, and Mel Ramsden.
 

Materials relating to the concept of "mapping" discourse, the Workbook project, and the Galleria Schema Index project, 1973-1976, undated

box 3, folder 2

Notes on Pathways, 1973

box 3, folder 3

Pathways, 1973

box 3, folder 4

Letter from Giancarlo Politi to Ian Burn, 1973

Scope and Contents

The letter invites Ian Burn to participate in an exhibition coordinated by Flash Art.
box 3, folder 5-6

Transcript, 1973 Dec 18

Scope and Contents

Contains one manuscript copy and one typescript copy. The transcript details the question of the content of the handout for Galleria Schema. The typescript copy has annotations by Michael Corris.
box 3, folder 7-8

Flash Art text, 1974

Scope and Contents

Contains typescript and lithographic print by Michael Corris, Preston Heller, Andrew Menard. Annotations on typescript by Michael Corris and Ian Burn.
box 3, folder 9-11

Notes on Pathways/"Going-on" in Art & Language New York, 1974

Scope and Contents

Contains drafts one to three.
box 3, folder 12

Photographs Art & Language New York, Galleria Schema of installation view, undated

box 3, folder 13

Notes for Schema, 1974

box 3, folder 14

Worksheets for Constructing Pathways Through Blurts, 1974

box 3, folder 15

170 text entries for Handbook, 1974

box 3, folder 16

Introduction to Workbook, 1974

box 3, folder 17

Index terms for Handbook, 1973

Scope and Contents

Blurting in Art & Language, a Handbook.
box 3, folder 18

Notes on Mathematical Logic, Axiomatic Set Theory, Anti-Proceedings, and Display as Pragmatic Index, 1974

box 3, folder 19

Notes Relating to Pathways and the Mechanics of the Workbook, 1974

 

Display as Pragmatic Index, 1974

Scope and Contents

Includes one original circulated color photocopy.
box 3, folder 20-22

Model and plan

Scope and Contents

Includes plan and one original circulated color photocopy of model.
box 20, folder 2

Color slide

box 3, folder 23-24

Anti-Proceedings, 1974

Scope and Contents

Includes drawing and typescript of display text with annotations in blue pencil.
box 3, folder 25

"Constituting a Pathway for a User," 1974

box 3, folder 26

"Constituting a Pathway for Art & Language," 1974

box 20, folder 3

Display as Pragmatic Index, scale model, 1974

box 3, folder 27

"On Pathways," 1974

box 3, folder 28

Notes on Display as Pragmatic Index, 1974

box 3, folder 29-37

Workbook, 1974

Scope and Contents

Includes entries, introduction drafts, list of permissible choices, worksheets, and schema. Some works have annotations by Michael Corris or Mel Ramsden.
box 3, folder 38

512 Blurts for Workbook, 1974

box 4, folder 1-3

Notes on Pathways and Permutations, 1974

Scope and Contents

Includes notes and notes on reference points.
box 4, folder 4

List of Art & Language New York projects related to Annotations, Handbook, Pathways and Workbook, 1974

box 4, folder 5

Notes on Pathway Architecture, 1974

box 4, folder 6-10

Workbook, 1974-1975

Scope and Contents

Includes plan, draft of preface, a unique copy of Workbook, French translation, and checklist for translation.
box 4, folder 11

Letter from Ghuslain Mollet-Vieville to Michael Corris and Andrew Menard, 1976

box 4, folder 12-13

Correspondence, 1976

Scope and Contents

Letters between Michael Corris and Terry Atkinson.
box 4, folder 14

Checklist of equipment and visual materials for a proposed exhibition, 1976

Scope and Contents

Unrealized exhibition of Workbook at Gallerie Eric Fabre, Paris.
 

Unpublished internal documents commenting on the group's practices, 1973-1976

box 4, folder 15

"Systematics, Paradigms and Art Education," 1973

box 4, folder 16-17

Transcript, 1973 Dec 9

Scope and Contents

By Atkinson, Baldwin, Corris, Heller, and Menard. A discussion of elitism in the practice of Art & Language.
box 4, folder 18-19

Transcript, 1973 Dec 11

Scope and Contents

With revisions by Michael Corris and Andrew Menard.
box 4, folder 20-21

"1.0 Respectability breeds contempt," 1973

Scope and Contents

With annotations on one copy by Ian Burn and on one copy by Michael Corris.
box 4, folder 22

Political Modalities, 1973

box 4, folder 23

Letter from Terry Atkinson to Ian Burden and Mel Ramsden, 1974

box 4, folder 24

Transcript of conversation between Ian Burn, Mel Ramsden and others, 1975

box 4, folder 25-26

"Strategy is political: Dear Michael...," 1975

Scope and Contents

Includes original circulated photocopy and typescript with comments.
box 4, folder 27

"Draft for Form of Organization," 1976

Scope and Contents

By Nigel Lendon.
box 4, folder 28

"Déclaration sur la structure d'organisation du collectif (provisional) Art & Language," 1976

box 4, folder 29

"Phase II: The provisions," "Third Phase: Introduction," 1976

 

(Provisional) Art & Language discussions, 1976

box 4, folder 30

Transcripts of discussions

box 13, folder 2-7

Audio tapes of discussion (C2-C7)

Scope and Contents

Contains six audio cassette tapes.
box 4, folder 31

Letter from Ian Burn (Art & Language New York) to Art & Language (UK), 1976

 

Underdevelopment and cultural imperialism, 1974-1976

box 4, folder 32

"To the Commission of Homage to Salvadore Allende," 1974

 

"Frontiers in Underdevelopment," 1974-1975

box 4, folder 33-34

Draft and original circulated photocopy

box 4, folder 35

Letter from Elizabeth Hess to Michael Corris, 1975

Scope and Contents

Letter is concerning payment (kill fee) for text "Frontiers in Underdevelopment," submitted for publication in journal Seven Days.
box 20, folder 4

Color slide

box 4, folder 36

Study for cartoon, 1976

Scope and Contents

Cartoon is in the style of James Gilray, Le boot, or the false face of bourgeois nationalism. Produced on the occasion of Art & Language seminars at Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Halifax.
box 4, folder 37-39

Maryland Institute College of Art lecture, "Some Non-Visual Aspects of Art," 1975

box 4, folder 37

"Some Possibilities for Learning/Some Possible Points of Reference"

box 4, folder 38

Press clipping

Scope and Contents

Contains article from the Baltimore Sun.
box 4, folder 39

Student newsletter

Scope and Contents

Announcement for Art & Language lecture.
 

The Fox, 1974-1976

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfile 2**.
box 4, folder 40

Issue of The Fox, 1975

Scope and Contents

Issue number one, volume one. Signed by the editors: Mel Ramsden, Joseph Kosuth, Sarah Charlesworth, Andrew Menard, Preston Heller and Michael Corris.
flatfile 2**

Posters, 1975-1976

Scope and Contents

Posters for issues one through three.
box 5, folder 1

Unpublished texts, 1974

Scope and Contents

Unpublished texts by Victor Burgin, Thierry Kuntzel, Trevor Pateman, Bernar Venet, Paul Wood and David Rushton.
box 5, folder 2

Layout of proposed cover design, 1974

box 5, folder 3

Letter from Joseph Kosuth to Michael Corris, 1975

box 5, folder 4

Draft for article, 1975

Scope and Contents

Article is by Michael Corris.
box 5, folder 5

"New York, New York," 1975

box 5, folder 6

"Soho Is Your World, Welcome to It," 1975

Scope and Contents

Unpublished typescript with annotations by Jill Breakstone.
box 5, folder 7

"From the Belly of the Behemoth," 1975

box 5, folder 8-13

"Yet Another Palace Revolt in the Banana Republic?" 1975

Scope and Contents

Includes drafts one to four, original circulated photocopy, and manuscript regarding editing of typescript.
box 5, folder 14

Letter from Jerry Kearns to Michael Corris, 1975

Scope and Contents

Letter expresses interest in The Fox, and with an invitation to the University of Massachusetts.
box 5, folder 15

Text for poster for issue number two, 1975

box 5, folder 16

Michael Corris, "A Review of Ian Wilson's Discussion at John Weber Gallery," 1975

Scope and Contents

Published in issue number two.
box 5, folder 17

Trevor Pateman, review of The Fox, 1975

Scope and Contents

Review for Radical philosophy. Other Trevor Pateman work is also included.
box 5, folder 18

Mona da Vinci, press clipping, 1975

Scope and Contents

Article for Soho Weekly News.
box 5, folder 19

Trevor Pateman, "On Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot," 1975

box 5, folder 20

Annette Kuhn, photocopy of press clipping, 1975

Scope and Contents

Article for The Village Voice.
box 5, folder 21

Copy of advertisement for issue number three, 1976

box 5, folder 22

Text for poster for issue number three, 1976

box 5, folder 23

"The Lumpen-Headache," 1976

Scope and Contents

Print of Art & Language key to Dramatis Personae for issue number three.
 

Illustrations for The Fox, 1975-1976

box 5, folder 24-27

Photographs and other materials

Scope and Contents

Includes: General Studies meeting flyer, gallery announcement card, typeset copy, photographs, and original NEA press release.
box 19*

Oversize materials

box 5, folder 28-31

Australia project, 1975-1976

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfile 3**.
box 5, folder 28

RCA global telegram, 1975

Scope and Contents

Telegram is addressed to Terry Smith. Pages are stamped with the Art & Language Foundation, Inc. corporate seal.
box 5, folder 29

Text for Australian cable, 1975

Scope and Contents

By Michael Corris.
flatfile 3**

Posters, 1975

Scope and Contents

Posters for the Art Gallery of South Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria.
box 5, folder 30

Open letter to Art & Language New York, 1975

Scope and Contents

Letter is by Mel Ramsden with annotations by Corris and Menard.
box 5, folder 31

Press clipping, 1975

Scope and Contents

Article is by Annette Kuhn from The Village Voice.
flatfile 3**

Poster, 1976

Scope and Contents

Poster for Cur, Piggy, Perfect, at the Auckland City Art Gallery.
 

Yugoslavia project, 1975-1976

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfiles 3**-6**.
flatfile 3**

"Jet Lag/Culture Crash," 1975

Scope and Contents

Poster exhibited in Jet Lag exhibition at Turn Travel and exhibited in The Artist Out of Work exhibition at PS1.
box 6, folder 1

Art & Language seminar announcement, 1975

Scope and Contents

Seminar took place at Student Cultural Center, Belgrade.
box 6, folder 2-4

Letters from Jasna Tijardovic and Zoran Popovic to Michael Corris, 1975

Scope and Contents

Letters are regarding Michael Corris's activities in Belgrade.
box 6, folder 5

Letter from Michael Corris and Andrew Menard to Csaba Polanyi, 1975

box 6, folder 6

Text for The Organisation of Culture Under Socialism, 1975

box 6, folder 7

Transcript of conversation at the Student Cultural Center, Belgrade, 1975

flatfile 4**

Art & Language discussions at Student Cultural Center, Belgrade poster, 1975

box 6, folder 8

Issue of Student, 1975

Scope and Contents

Contains article on Art & Language/ The Fox and seminars at Student Cultural Center, Belgrade.
flatfile 5**, flatfile 6**

The Organisation of Culture Under Self-Management Socialism, 1976

Scope and Contents

Prints from exhibition at John Weber Gallery and Smith College Art Gallery.
 

Installation photography for The Organisation of Culture Under Self-Management Socialism, 1976

box 6, folder 9

Contact print sheet

box 20, folder 5

Black and white negatives

box 6, folder 10

Smith College Bulletin, 1976

 

Photography for The Organisation of Culture Under Self-Management Socialism, 1975-1976

box 6, folder 11

Photographs

box 20, folder 6

Black and white negatives

box 6, folder 12

Research materials on Yugoslavia, 1975-1976

box 6, folder 13

Research materials for The Organisation of Culture Under Workers' Self-Management, 1975

Scope and Contents

Materials contain information on maps, official seals and flags of Yugoslav Federated Republic.
box 6, folder 14

Photography for The Organisation of Culture Under Self-Management Socialism, 1975-1976

flatfile 7**

Works by Yugoslavian artists relevant to cultural milieu of Belgrade, 1971-1975

flatfile 7**

Popovic, Zoran, 1971-1975

Scope and Contents

Contains two lithographic prints: Axioms, Za Samoupravnu Umentnost.
flatfile 7**

Todosijevic, Rasa, 1975

Scope and Contents

Contains two lithographic prints: Who Makes a Profit on Art, and Who Gains From it Honestly, Notes on Method.
 

Washington project, 1975-1976

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfiles 2**, 8** and rolls 1**-3**.
box 6, folder 15

"Government and the Arts," 1975

Scope and Contents

Photographic print for National Endowment for the Arts broadside.
 

The Organisation of Culture Under Monopoly Capitalism, 1975-1976

Scope and Contents

Also in rolls 1**-2**.
box 6, folder 16-19

Project materials, 1975-1976

Scope and Contents

Includes research materials, installation photography and French translation of text.
box 20, folder 7

Black and white negatives, 1976

roll 1**, roll 2**

Oversize, 1976

box 6, folder 20

Paris-Rive Gauche exhibition program, 1976

box 6, folder 21

Beatrice Parent, Art & Language review, 1976

Scope and Contents

Photocopy of article, Art & Language at Gallerie Eric Fabre.
box 6

The Organisation of Culture Under Monopoly Capitalism, 1975-1976

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfile 8** and roll 3**.
box 6, folder 22

Photographs

flatfile 8**

Posters

roll 3**

Oversize

box 7, folder 1

Press clipping, 1976

Scope and Contents

Clipping is from the New York Times.
box 7, folder 2-6

Washington display, 1976

Scope and Contents

Includes: text, drafts of text, bibliography and reference materials.
 

"How do you feel about the 'Arts and Artifacts Indemnity Act'?" 1975-1976

box 7, folder 7-9

Videotape transcripts, 1976

box 13, folder 8

Videotape (V1), 1975-1976

Scope and Contents

Contains one U-matic videocassette.
box 7, folder 10

Washington display, 1976

Scope and Contents

Contains typescript and original circulated photocopy of poster text.
box 7, folder 11

Letter from Michael Corris to Jan Debbaut, 1975

box 7, folder 12

Letter from Andrew Menard to Jan Debbaut, 1976

 

Art & Language and The Fox: seminars at University of Massachusetts and Smith College, 1976

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfile 2**.
box 7, folder 13

Materials for production

box 20, folder 8

Black and white negatives

flatfile 2**

Screen print poster

box 7, folder 14-17

Press clippings, 1976

Scope and Contents

Includes clippings from the University of Massachusetts student newspaper and the Daily Hampshire Gazette.
box 20, folder 9

"The Arts are a Growth Industry," 1976

Scope and Contents

Polaroids of I and II.
box 7, folder 18-22

Art and social practice, Studio International, 1976

box 7, folder 18

Letter from Andrew Menard to Trevor Pateman

box 7, folder 19-20

"Exploded Manifesto"

Scope and Contents

By Jill Breakstone, Michael Corris, Andrew Menard, and Preston Heller. Contains drafts one and two.
box 7, folder 21

"Now About This Storefront"

box 7, folder 22

Letter from Martin Newcastle to The Fox

box 7, folder 23

Venice Biennale, 1976

Scope and Contents

Contains letter from Olle Granath to Michael Corris.
 

Art & Language New York and (Provisional) Art & Language, 1974-1977, undated

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfiles 9**-11**.
box 7, folder 24

Art & Language Press envelope, undated

flatfile 9**

"The Scrap Heap of Modernism," 1974-1976

Scope and Contents

Contains a photographic print and a photo collage.
flatfile 10**

Museum of Modern Art poster, 1975

Scope and Contents

Art & Language at MOMA.
box 7

"Listen," 1975

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfile 11**.
box 7, folder 25

Text

Scope and Contents

Text for "Listen" was exhibited at John Weber Gallery.
flatfile 11**

Print

box 7, folder 26

"What Walter Benjamin Missed: Media as history," 1975

box 7, folder 27

"Questionnaire" for Red Faces, 1975-1976

box 14, folder 1-2

Music-Language (D1-D2), 1976-1977

Scope and Contents

Contains two long-playing records. One is a 1977 reissue of the 1976 release.
box 7, folder 28-29

"Pamphletese," 1976

box 7, folder 30

Letter from Alberto Moretti to Michael Corris, 1976

box 7, folder 31-32

Letters from Ghislain Mollet-Vieville to Michael Corris, 1976

 

Materials relating to political and cultural organizations, Series II. 1968-1979

Physical Description: 3.8 Linear Feet (1 box, 1 flatfile)

Arrangement

The projects are arranged chronologically as originally devised by Michael Corris.

Scope and Contents

This series was originally titled by Michael Corris as "Materials relating to the participation of members of Art & Language New York in Artists Meeting for Cultural Change, Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union, and other political/cultural organizations." It documents Art & Language New York's association with the Artists Meeting for Cultural Change (AMCC) and the Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union (AICU). AMCC provided Art & Language New York with a different platform and with new colleagues, such as Lawrence Weiner and Lucy Lippard, to explore political cultural and artistic themes in order to provide consciousness-raising in the art community. The groups' collaboration produced important projects such as Boycott this Museum. Similarly the AICU, headed by Amiri Baraka, provided the opportunity for new collaborations and discussions of art politics and culture.
box 7a, folder 1-7

Artists Meeting for Cultural Change (AMCC), 1975-1976

box 7a, folder 1

"To the American Art Community from Artists Meeting for Cultural Change," 1975

box 7a, folder 2

"A Tentative Position Paper," 1976

box 7a, folder 3

"A Critical History of AMCC," 1976

Scope and Contents

Drafted by J. Breakstone, M. Corris, P. Heller and A. Menard.
box 7a, folder 4

"Boycott This Museum," 1976

Scope and Contents

Flyer boycotting the Whitney Museum is by the Artists Meeting for Cultural Change.
box 7a, folder 5-6

"Boycott This Show," 1976

Scope and Contents

Flyers boycotting the De Young Museum are by the Artists Meeting for Cultural Change.
box 7a, folder 7

Clipping, 1976

Scope and Contents

Article from Data Art, "Discriminazioni per il bicentenario."
box 7a, folder 8-14

Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union (AICU), 1968-1979

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfile 9**.
flatfile 9**

Revolution is Poetry, 1968

Scope and Contents

Broadside for volume two, number one, of Guerilla: Free Newspaper of the Streets. Issue is devoted to the work of Amiri Baraka.
box 7a, folder 8

Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union flyer, 1979

box 7a, folder 9

Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union, organizational structure, 1975

box 7a, folder 10

Disco Turns Revolutionary, 1975-1976

Scope and Contents

Flyer for the Advanced Workers, a performance group related to the AICU.
box 7a, folder 11-14

"Principles of the Unity of the Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union," 1976-1977

Scope and Contents

Includes drafts of text.
 

Red-Herring, Series III. 1975-1981, undated

Physical Description: 10.3 Linear Feet (4 boxes and 3 flatfiles)

Arrangement

Projects are arranged chronologically as originally devised by Michael Corris.

Scope and Contents

This series is a collection of work related to the New York artist group Red-Herring. Several Art & Language New York members including Menard, Heller, and Burn were involved in Red-Herring projects. These projects are comprised of illustrations, a poster, postcards and texts for the group's publication, also called Red-Herring. Other materials in this series comprise contributions by the Red-Herring group to the journal, Main Trend, which was published by the AICU.
 

Materials related to the publication and editorial policy of Red-Herring, 1975-1978, undated

box 8, folder 1

Miscellaneous materials, 1978

box 8, folder 2

Drafts for editorial, 1978

 

Materials for photomontage, undated

box 8, folder 3

Photographs and other papers

box 20, folder 10

Black and white negatives

 

New Clues Found in Realm of 'Culture Politics', 1975

Scope and Contents

Also includes miscellaneous photographs of Washington DC.
box 8, folder 4

Contact print sheet and envelopes

box 20, folder 11

Black and white negatives

box 15*

Photomontage

Scope and Contents

Includes envelope signed by Michael Corris.
box 8, folder 5

Photograph still from Lady in the Lake, undated

Scope and Contents

Obtained in 1975, used for the creation of New Clues Found in Realm of 'Culture Politics'.
box 8, folder 6

Text for postcard for issue number one, 1976

box 8, folder 7

Typographic materials for issue number one, undated

 

Issue number one publicity materials, 1977

box 8, folder 8

Postcard

box 16*

Poster

box 8, folder 9

Galley proofs for issue number one, undated

box 20, folder 12

Government and the Arts, undated

Scope and Contents

Contains black and white negatives for illustration in issue number one.
box 8, folder 10

Back cover photograph, 1977

box 20, folder 13

Material for "Radical Appropriation" article, 1977

Scope and Contents

Contains negative for illustration for article in issue number one.
box 8, folder 11

Letter from Michael Corris to Andrew Menard, 1977

box 8, folder 12

"How Should We Criticise the Petite Bourgeois Intelligentsia?" 1978

Scope and Contents

Reply by editors to Preston Heller.
box 8, folder 13

Letter from Michael Corris to editors of Red-Herring, 1978

Scope and Contents

Letter was never mailed.
box 8, folder 14

Letter from Preston Heller to Michael Corris, 1978

box 8, folder 15

Issue number two, 1978

Scope and Contents

Contains annotated issue.
box 8, folder 16

Text for postcard for issue number two, 1978

box 8, folder 17-28

Materials related to the relationship of Red-Herring to mass political/cultural groups in New York City, 1977-1981

box 8, folder 17

Loren Schwartz, "A Summary of Criticism/Self-Criticism," 1977

box 8, folder 18

"Toward Building AICU," 1977

box 8, folder 19

Loren Schwartz, "Criticisms of 'Toward Building AICU,'" 1977

box 8, folder 20

"A Self-Criticism on the Incorrect Line of 'Yenan Workshop' to Carry Out Revolutionary Cultural Work," 1977

box 8, folder 21

"Role & Tasks of Revolutionary Artists & Writers in the U.S.A. Today," 1977

box 8, folder 22

"Les Mystères de Red-Herring," 1978

box 8, folder 23

Preston Heller, "In Response...," 1978

Scope and Contents

Remarks addressed to membership of AICU.
box 8, folder 24

Anti-Imperialist Cultural Union flyer, 1978

box 8, folder 25

The Yenan Theater Workshop flyer, 1978

Scope and Contents

The theater group is part of the AICU.
box 8, folder 26-28

Main Trend, 1978-1981

Scope and Contents

Contains annotated issues numbers one, two and five.
 

Propaganda Projects exhibition at Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington, 1975-1977

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfiles 12**-14**.
box 8, folder 29

And/Or calendar of events, 1977

flatfile 12**

Exhibition poster, 1977

Scope and Contents

Contains three variations of poster.
box 17*

Art from exhibition, 1975-1976

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfiles 13**-14**.
flatfile 13**

Art & Language at National Gallery of Victoria, 1975

flatfile 13**

Mettere la Coda a Dove Non Va il Capo, 1976

flatfile 13**

Appendix: Letter to a Curator, 1976

box 17*

Welcome to Venice framed, 1976

flatfile 14**

Welcome to Venice, 1976

flatfile 14**

Other exhibition projects by the editorial collective of Red-Herring, 1977

flatfile 14**

Class Struggle and the NEA

Scope and Contents

Contains paste-up for reproduction and a photoprint.
flatfile 14**

American Art in Belgium

 

Art & Language, Series IV. 1977-2002

Physical Description: 6.7 Linear Feet (3 boxes and 7 flatfiles)

Arrangement

Projects are arranged chronologically as devised by Michael Corris.

Scope and Contents

This series is comprised of work by Art & Language following the dissolution of the New York section in 1977. The ideological differences and fissures between the New York and the United Kingdom groups, which had so well defined the New York group, were put to rest for the most part by the remaining members in order to create new projects during this period. The series includes illustrations for the journal Art-Language as well as documentation for the exhibition The Artist Out of Work: Art & Language, 1972-1981, and the exhibition Art & Language in Practice, 1998.
box 9

Illustrations for Art-Language, 1977

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfiles 15**-19**.
flatfile 15**, flatfile 16**, flatfile 17**, flatfile 18**, flatfile 19**

Prints

Scope and Contents

Contains 10 posters, five variations. Posters were shown in the exhibition The Artist Out of Work, at PS1.
box 9, folder 1

Photographs

flatfile 20**

Ils Donnent Leur Sang Donnez Votre Travail, 1977

Scope and Contents

Contains two posters of Donnez Votre Travail and one poster of Ils Donnent Leur Sang. Posters were exhibited in the Artist Out of Work, at PS1.
box 9, folder 2

10 Postcards, 1977

box 9, folder 3

Comments on political art, 1981

Scope and Contents

Manuscript by Michael Corris based on articles by Art & Language and Lucy Lippard in Block no. 5.
 

ICA Edition: Maps, 1991

Scope and Contents

Signed and numbered 250 piece jigsaw puzzles by Michael Baldwin and Mel Ramsden.
box 9, folder 4

Map of an Area of Dimensions 12x12 Inches, Indicating 2,304-1/4 Inch Squares,

box 9, folder 5

Map of Thirty-Six Square Mile Area of the Pacific Ocean West of Oahu,

box 10, folder 1

Map to Not Indicate...,

box 10, folder 2-6

Materials relating to Michael Corris, "Review Essay: The Artist Out of Work?" in Word and Image, 1993

Scope and Contents

Contains letters from Michael Baldwin to Michael Corris, from Mel Ramsden to Michael Corris, from Paul Wood to Michael Corris, from Ian Burn to Michael Corris.
box 10, folder 7-12

"We Have Submerged Victoriously," by Michael Corris from Art & Language in Practice, 1998

box 10, folder 7

Original circulated photocopy

Scope and Contents

With editorial revisions by Charles Harrison.
box 10, folder 8

Letter from Manuel J. Borja-Villel to Michael Corris and letter from Charles Harrison to Michael Corris,

box 10, folder 9

Letter from Noemí Cohen to Michael Corris,

Scope and Contents

Includes contract signed by Michael Corris and Miguel Tàpies.
box 10, folder 10

Letter from Charles Harrison to Michael Corris,

box 10, folder 11

Typescript

Scope and Contents

With revisions by Charles Harrison.
box 10, folder 12

Art & Language in Practice, exhibition brochure

 

The Artist Out of Work: Art & Language exhibition, 1999-2000

Scope and Contents

The exhibition at PS1, Long Island City, New York, was curated by Michael Corris, Neil Powell, Michael Baldwin, Charles Harrison, and Mel Ramsden.
Also in flatfile 21**.
box 10, folder 13

Institute for Contemporary Art loan agreements, 1999

 

Exhibition materials, 1999

Scope and Contents

Also in flatfile 21**.
box 10, folder 14-17

Exhibition materials

Scope and Contents

Includes exhibition check lists, installation plan, exhibition announcement, and exhibition brochure.
flatfile 21**

Installation map drawings

box 18*, folder 1

Exhibition brochure proofs

box 20, folder 14

Transparencies

box 10, folder 18

Postcard from Mel Ramsden to Michael Corris, 2000

 

Miscellaneous items, 1989-2002

box 10, folder 19-20

Exhibition announcement cards, 1989-1990

Scope and Contents

For exhibitions at Galerie Sylvana Lorenz and Marian Goodman Gallery.
box 10, folder 21-24

Art & Language, Hostage Paintings, 1991

Scope and Contents

Includes exhibition invitation, exhibition brochure, checklist, and press releases.
box 10, folder 25

Exhibitions announcement card, 1993

Scope and Contents

For an exhibition at Galeries nationale du jeu de Paume.
box 10, folder 26

Dinner invitation, 1993

Scope and Contents

Invitation from Director of the British Council in France in honor of Art & Language.
box 10, folder 27

Exhibition announcement card, 1994

Scope and Contents

For an exhibition at Lisson Gallery.
box 10, folder 28

Kunsthalle St. Gallen newsletter, 1996

box 10, folder 29

Bank presents Art & Language press release, 1998

Scope and Contents

By Galerie Poo-Poo.
box 18*, folder 2

Map to Indicate..., 2002

 

Individual artists, Series V. 1965-2002, undated

Physical Description: 0.83 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Arrangement

Work is arranged alphabetically by artist as devised by Michael Corris.

Scope and Contents

This series is comprised of work by key members of Art & Language New York including Michael Corris. Materials include correspondence, manuscripts, pamphlets and photographs.
box 11, folder 1-16

Atkinson, Terry, 1990-2002, undated

box 11, folder 1

"Re-Writing and Re-Reading 'Tourism I and II,'" 1990

Scope and Contents

Pamphlet by British Columbia Contemporary Art Gallery.
box 11, folder 2

Talk given to Henry Moore Foundation, 1991

box 11, folder 3

Notes on various works, 1991

Scope and Contents

Includes letters to Judith Mastai.
box 11, folder 4

Letter from Terry Atkinson to Michael Corris, 1991

Scope and Contents

Letter enclosure contains letter from Terry Atkinson to James Hall and a typescript.
box 11, folder 5

Ruses, Mutes, Monochromes and Bombers, 1992

Scope and Contents

Galerie Patricia Asbaek exhibition catalog
box 11, folder 6

Letter from Michael Corris to Terry Atkinson, 1992

Scope and Contents

Includes letter from Michael Corris to Terry Atkinson and letter from Sophia Ungers to Michael Corris.
box 11, folder 7

Letter from Sophia Ungers to Michael Corris, 1992

box 11, folder 8

"Terry Atkinson, Growing a Tongue," 1992

Scope and Contents

Press release by Gimpel Fils Ltd.
box 11, folder 9

Notes on the Ruse works, 1992

box 11, folder 10

Fragments of a Career: Terry Atkinson Selected Work 1966-1999, 2002

Scope and Contents

Exhibition catalog by Silkeborg Kunstmuseum.
box 11, folder 11

Exhibition brochure, 1996

Scope and Contents

Exhibition at Norwich Gallery.
box 11, folder 12

Letter from Terry Atkinson to Michael Corris, 1997

box 11, folder 13

"This," 2001

box 11, folder 14

"The Turner Prize: Ordering the Avant-Garde," 2001

box 11, folder 51

Letter from Terry Atkinson to Michael Corris, 2002

box 11, folder 16

"The Avant-Garde Model of the Artistic Subject - a Limit?" undated

box 11, folder 17-24

Burn, Ian, 1981-1997

box 11, folder 17

Art & Working Life, 1981

Scope and Contents

Pamphlet by ACTU.
box 11, folder 18

Art & Text, 1981

Scope and Contents

Journal contains article by Ian Burn.
box 11, folder 19

Letter from Ian Burn to Michael Corris, 1982

box 11, folder 20

"ACTU National Conference: Art and Working Life," 1982

box 11, folder 21

Art & Working Life. Cultural activities in the Australian trade union movement, 1983

box 11, folder 22

Letter from Ian Burn to Michael Corris, 1984

box 11, folder 23

Michael Baldwin and Mel Ramsden, "Ian Burn: Looking at Seeing and Reading," 1992

box 11, folder 24

Paul Wood, "The Second Ian Burn Memorial Lecture," 1997

box 11, folder 25

Burn, Ian and Mel Ramsden, 1968

Scope and Contents

Contains Six Negatives and Holding System.
box 11, folder 26-34

Corris, Michael, 1991-2001

box 11, folder 26-29

Texts on Art & Language and related materials, 1991-1997

box 11, folder 26

"Review: Art & Language at Lisson Gallery," 1991

box 11, folder 27

"When Worlds Collide: Postmodernism Writing in the Thirties in the Sixties and the Eighties," 1994

Scope and Contents

Annotated by Michael Baldwin and Mel Ramsden.
box 11, folder 28

"After Modernism's Nervous Breakdown, What Do Artists Want?" 1997

Scope and Contents

Annotated by Michael Baldwin.
box 11, folder 29

Letter from Mel Ramsden to Michael Corris, 1997

box 11, folder 30-34

Materials related to Conceptual Art, 2001

Scope and Contents

Conceptual Art is a book edited by Michael Corris and published by Cambridge University Press in 2004.
box 11, folder 30-31

"Art & Language, New York Discusses its Social Relations in 'The Lumpen Headache'"

Scope and Contents

By Christopher Gilbert. One copy is annotated by Michael Baldwin and Phillip Pilkington. A second copy is annotated by Mel Ramsden.
box 11, folder 32-33

Letters from Mel Ramsden to Michael Corris

box 11, folder 34

Letter from Michael Baldwin to Michael Corris

box 12, folder 1-19

Kosuth, Joseph, 1965-1992, undated

box 12, folder 1

Gregory Battock's notes on "Four Interviews," undated

box 12, folder 2

Gregory Battock's notes on "Art After Philosophy I and II," undated

box 12, folder 3

Five Five's, 1965

Scope and Contents

Photograph to Donald Judd, by Paulo Mussat Sartor.
box 12, folder 4

One and Five (Clock), 1965

Scope and Contents

Photograph by Paulo Mussat Sartor.
box 12, folder 5

One and Eight-a Description (White), 1965

box 12, folder 6

One and Three Saws (English-Italian), 1965

Scope and Contents

Photograph by Paulo Mussat Sartor.
box 12, folder 7

Clear-Square-Glass-Leaning, 1965

Scope and Contents

Photograph by Paulo Mussat Sartor.
box 12, folder 8

The Museum of Normal Art, letterhead, 1967

box 12, folder 9

The Second Investigations, 1968

Scope and Contents

From When Attitudes Become Form exhibition at Kunsthalle, Bern. Photograph by Jay Cantor.
box 12, folder 10

The Seventh Investigation, 1970

Scope and Contents

From Software/Information Technology: Its New Meaning for Art, exhibition at the Jewish Museum, New York. Contains photographs of The Seventh Investigation and The Seventh Investigation, Proposition One, Part B. Photographs by Shunk-Kender.
box 12, folder 11

Installation photograph, 1970

Scope and Contents

From the exhibition, Information, at The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Photograph by Peter Moore.
box 12, folder 12

Informationsrum, 1970

Scope and Contents

Photograph by Peter Moore.
box 12, folder 13

Photo Caption, undated

Scope and Contents

For the exhibition, Conceptual Art and Conceptual Aspects, at the New York Cultural Center.
box 12, folder 14

The Seventh Investigation, Proposition One, Part A, 1970

Scope and Contents

From the exhibition Software/Information Technology: Its New Meaning for Art, at the Jewish Museum, New York. Photograph by Paulo Mussat Sartor.
box 12, folder 15-17

Catalog statements, 1970-1971

Scope and Contents

Statements for: exhibition catalog for Information at the Museum of Modern Art, Software/Information Technology: Its New Meaning for Art at the Jewish Museum, and Context one from the 1969 Whitney Annual.
box 12, folder 18

Unidentified work at the Leo Castello Gallery, undated

Scope and Contents

Photograph by Rudolph Burckhardt.
box 12, folder 19

Six postcards, 1992

box 12, folder 20-24

Venet, Bernar, 1970-1976

box 12, folder 20

Theory of Sets, 1970

box 12, folder 21

Exhibition at Museum Haus Lange installation photograph, 1970

Scope and Contents

Photograph by Bernar Venet.
box 12, folder 22

Information Theory, 1970-1972

Scope and Contents

Contains photographs by Bernar Venet of Information Theory by Robert Ash and a press release from the New York Cultural Center.
box 12, folder 23

Artist statement, 1972

box 12, folder 24

Bernar Venet, 1976

Scope and Contents

Catalog for an exhibition at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art.