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Descriptive Summary |
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| Creator: | Vito Acconci | |
| Title: | Vito Acconci Notebooks | |
| Dates: | Fall 1969 - Fall 1977 | |
| Quantity: | Thirty-four notebooks in thirty-ix clamshell book boxes, and two 5" Document Boxes including 1 DVD Containing 25 Digital Files. | |
Arrangement |
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| The notebooks are arranged in chronological order. Vito Acconci has dated each notebook on its cover, thereby clearly identifying the contents' date of origin. The notebooks are individually housed in cloth-bound clamshell book boxes with the corresponding date range labeled on each box. Two such boxes designated for notes that may be added to the collection in the future, are currently empty and contain no materials. Additionally, a DVD containing a full digital reproduction of the notebooks' contents exists. The reproductions have been printed, arranged chronologically, and are housed in two document boxes. | ||
Vito Hannibal Acconci (January 24, 1940) currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. His most recent work has spread into the realms of architecture and architectural theory, which has its foundation in Acconci's conceptual work of the 1970's. Acconci's official education is in literature, having received a B.A. in 1962 and an M.F.A. from the University of Iowa in 1964. Upon returning to New York City in 1964, Acconci saw the work of Jasper Johns for the first time. From this pivotal moment, Acconci synthesized his interest in language and the artistic usage of space into a desire to write poetry. In this way, Acconci explored a medium that allowed for linguistic fluidity and spatial experimentation. The impact of Johns on the young Acconci is reflected in the literary magazine that he co-edited with poet Bernadette Mayer, 0-9. Acconci's interest in the construction of a page in a book expanded and he lifted his concepts off the page and onto the street. He kept many notebooks documenting his excursions, experiments and public projects. These notebooks intimately reflect Acconci's interest in language, architecture and social relationships.
The Vito Acconci Notebooks consist of thirty-four notebooks containing sketches, diagrams, drawings, lists and general project notes. The notebooks document an intensely creative period in Acconci's life. The inception of many pivotal conceptual projects, such as Openings (1970), Feelers (1971) and Anchors (1972) can be found within the pages of the notebooks. Every page with artistic content has been digitally scanned in its entirety from front cover to back cover. Blank pages were not scanned. Each scan has been printed with a laser color printer, resulting in a hardcopy reproduction of each notebook. The reproduced notebooks have been given individual folders and act as service copies for this collection. The Archives also retains a DVD containing the digital scans.
The original notebooks and their service copies are located at The Museum of Modern Art Archives in the Lewis B. Cullman Building, 4 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019. The service copies are provided to researchers on-site. Special permission from The Museum Archives must be obtained to consult the originals.
The records are open for research and contain no restricted materials.
The Vito Acconci Notebooks are property of The Museum of Modern Art. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, and to obtain permission to publish or reproduce, contact the Museum Archivist.
See also Sound Recordings of Museum-Related Events, Video Recordings of Museum-Related Events, and the Public Information Records.
Mr. Gilbert Silverman procured the notebooks directly from the artist and donated them to The Museum of Modern Art Archives in January 2008. The notebooks were scanned by the staff at Vito Acconci's studio and a copy of the scans were provided to The Museum Archives. The donor arranged for the creation of custom book boxes, which he donated along with the collection.
Vito Acconci Notebooks, [item number]. The Museum of Modern Art Archives, New York.
The Vito Acconci Notebooks arrived at The Museum Archives in good condition. Most notebooks are complete. They contain very few torn pages or ink stains, and when present, are a result of Vito Acconci's personal use and ownership of the notebook. Each individual notebook is housed within a protective custom clamshell book box.