Irwin (Robert) Papers, circa 1940-2011, bulk 1970-2011, bulk 1970-2011

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Summary

Title:
Robert Irwin papers
Dates:
circa 1940-2011, bulk 1970-2011, bulk 1970-2011
Creators:
Irwin, Robert, 1928-, City Front Plaza (Chicago, Ill.), Dia:Beacon (Art museum), J. Paul Getty Trust, Miami International Airport, and Old Post Office and Clock Tower (Washington, D.C.)
Abstract:
Robert Irwin was a California artist associated with the Light and Space movement. His papers document many of Irwin's site-specific, primarily public artworks from the 1980s with correspondence, writings, clippings, drawings, photographs, models, and sound and video recordings. Additions (1999-2011) to the archive include papers, photographs, and drawings relating to the Getty central garden and other projects (ca. 1992-2011).
Extent:
349 Linear Feet
Language:
Collection material is in English.
Preferred citation:

Robert Irwin papers, ca. 1940-2011, bulk 1970-2011, Getty Research Institute, Research Library, Accession no. 940081.

http://hdl.handle.net/10020/cifa940081

Background

Scope and content:

The Robert Irwin papers are comprised of correspondence, personal writings, clippings, and audiovisual and digital materials, as well as project files, photographs, drawings, and models pertaining to his environmental works. The material dates from 1970, the year he sold the contents of his Venice, California studio, to 2011. The project files, photographs, and drawings present a comprehensive view of his site-specific, primarily public, artworks, both executed and unrealized, from the 1980s. Particularly well documented are 48 Shadow Planes, 1983, Old Post Office, Washington, D.C.; Arts Enrichment Master Plan, proposed 1986, Miami International Airport; Two Architectural Towers, proposed 1989, City Front Plaza, Chicago; Dia:Beacon, 1996-2003, New York; and the Getty central garden, 1992-ca. 2008, Los Angeles.

Biographical / historical:

Robert Irwin was a Southern California artist and a founder of the Light and Space movement.

Acquisition information:
The papers were acquired in 1994. Additions to the archive were received in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997. Subsequent additions were received in 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2025.
Processing information:

Lynda Bunting unpacked and minimally processed the collection in the Fall of 1994. From July 1995 to March 1996, the oversize material was processed. Kelly Nipper helped identify and organize the photographs.

In July 1997 a supplement consisting of correspondence and project files dating from the 1990s was interfiled.

In 2012 Teresa Soleau incorporated additions into the finding aid but kept the materials housed separately.

The 1999 addition includes boxes 76-86, flatfiles 5-7 and 23, boxed rolls 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 18, 21-25, video item number V23, audio item number C22, and digital item number D2.

The 2001 addition includes boxes 87-98, flatfiles 24-26, boxed rolls 5, 8, 10-12, 16, 19, video item numbers V24 and V25, and audio item number C23.

The 2003 addition includes boxes 99-101, flatfile 28, model 133, and video item number V26.

The 2004 addition includes boxes 102-106, flatfiles 8-22 and 29, boxed rolls 3, 9, 13-15, 17, 20, 26, 29, and digital item number D3.

The first addition from 2005 includes boxes 107-110, flatfile 30, and digital item number D4.

The second addition from 2005 includes boxes 111-112, and flatfiles 31-38.

The 2007 addition includes boxes 113-118, flatfiles 39-44, rolls 45-46, and digital item numbers D5-D6.

The 2008 addition includes boxes 119-126, flatfiles 45 and 53-56, and digital item numbers D1 and D7.

The 2010 addition includes boxes 127-130, flatfiles 46 and 48, and digital item number D8.

The 2011 addition includes box 131-132, flatfile 47, and digital item number D9.

In 2025, Sara McGillivray processed an addition composed of audiovisual materials about Irwin's Lincoln, Nebraska project, which includes audiocassettes C24-C28, audio reels R1-R2, and audiovisual materials in boxes 134-136.

Arrangement:

The papers are organized in nine series: Series I. Correspondence, 1975-2010; Series II. Personal writings, ca. 1940-1999, undated; Series III. Project files, 1970-2009, undated; Series IV. Clippings and ephemera, ca. 1960-2011, undated; Series V. Photographs, ca. 1969-2003, undated; Series VI. Audiovisual and digital material, 1971-2010, undated; Series VII. Project drawings, ca. 1970-2007, undated; Series VIII. Project models, ca. 1979-ca. 1993; Series IX. Miscellaneous, undate

Physical location:
To access physical materials on site, go to the library catalog record for this collection and click "Request an Item." Click here for access policy.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Lynda Bunting, J. Gibbs, and Teresa Soleau.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-12-17 08:28:34 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers. Boxes 121-124 contain legal documents and are sealed pending review in 2032.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Getty Research Institute. Contact Library Reproductions and Permissions.

Preferred citation:

Robert Irwin papers, ca. 1940-2011, bulk 1970-2011, Getty Research Institute, Research Library, Accession no. 940081.

http://hdl.handle.net/10020/cifa940081

Location of this collection:
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1688, US
Contact:
(310) 440-7390
Website