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Overview of the Collection |
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| Title: | Artists Call Against U.S. Intervention in Central America Archive | |
| Inclusive Dates: | 1983-1984 | |
| Quantity: | 4.67 linear feet | |
| Abstract: | The Artists Call Archive holds the papers and files from the nationwide artist campaign, Artists Call Against U.S. Intervention in Central America, founded in New York in 1983 to organize protests against the U.S.'s military and political intervention in Central America. This collection documents the events and operations that took place in New York City where Artists Call was founded. | |
Arrangement |
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| This collection is organized into two series: | ||
| Series I: Organizational Files | ||
| Series II: Exhibition Entries | ||
In the early 1980s, as a facet of the Cold War, the Reagan administration supported right wing groups violently opposing the ascension of left wing governments in Central American countries such as El Salvador, Nicaragua, and elsewhere. This provoked strong reactions in the liberal and left wing communities in the U.S., including among artists in New York City. In June 1982, the art critic and activist Lucy Lippard attended the exhibition ¡LUCHAR! An Exhibition for the People of Central America organized by artist collective Group Material. The show brought together artists from across the Americas to break down national borders and aesthetic hierarchies. In May 1983, as an outgrowth of that discussion, Lippard and a handful of other artists cofounded Artists Call Against U.S. Intervention in Central America. Many of the artists had participated in ¡LUCHAR!, such as Coosje van Bruggen, Claes Oldenburg, Leon Golub, Daniel Flores y Ascencio, and Doug Ashford. The goal of Artists Call was to organize and coordinate exhibitions and public events in a campaign against the actions of the United States government.
While founded in New York City, Artists Call quickly expanded to include groups and artists in 27 cities across the United States. During their year-long existence they produced 31 exhibitions, along with poetry readings, performances, concerts, and more. These events acted as benefits to raise funds to help the people of Central America. The group produced posters and a significant amount of mail art in practicing their belief that art-making in and of itself was an act of political protest. Collaborating organizations and artists included the Institute for Arts and Letters of El Salvador in Exile (INALSE), Political Art Documentation/Distribution (PAD/D), Bread and Puppet Theater, Judson Church, Susan Meiselas, Peter Gourfain, Alfredo Jaar, Marilyn Minter, Jerry Kearns, Claes Oldenburg, and Coosje Van Bruggen.
New York City operations began to die down in early 1984 when, according to Lippard, "atrocities [in Central America] abated, but never ceased." Artists Call officially disbanded nationwide in February 1985.
This archive comprises materials related to and generated by the founding, operation, events, and exhibitions of the organization Artists Call. Although Artists Call was a nationwide organization, the contents are largely focused on the New York City operations. Materials in series I include correspondence, fliers for both Artists Call and related organizations, event invitations, mail art, and operational documents, such as mission statements, bills, and meeting agendas. Series II is a series of artists files containing submissions from artists around the world to be exhibited in Artists Call events. Which particular exhibition or event the materials were submitted for (if any) remains unidentified. Contents include correspondence and photographs of artworks.
The records are open for research and contain no restricted materials.
Index Terms |
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| This collection is indexed under the following headings in the library catalog of The Museum of Modern Art. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings. | ||
| Subjects: | ||
| Art -- Exhibitions | ||
| Art Workers Coalition (New York, N.Y.) | ||
| Art, Modern -- 20th century | ||
| Art, Modern -- 20th century -- Exhibitions -- Sources | ||
| Artists -- Correspondence | ||
| Demonstrations -- New York (State) -- New York -- History -- Sources | ||
| LeWitt, Sol, 1928-2007 -- Archives | ||
| Politics in art | ||
| Politics in art -- History -- Sources | ||
| Document Types: | ||
| Color slides | ||
| Drawings | ||
| Personal papers | ||
Related material concerning Artists Call can be found in the Political Art Documentation and Distribution (PAD/D) Archive in The Museum of Modern Art Archives. Further information on particular artists and subjects can be found in the MoMA Library in the Artist Files, Franklin Furnace Artist Files, and within the general collection of published materials. Related collections outside of MoMA include the Lucy R. Lippard papers, 1930s-2010, at the Archives of American Art.
The Artists Call Archive was received by The Museum of Modern Art Library in the 1990's and held until it was then transferred to the MoMA Archives in January 2023.
Published citations should take the following form:
Long version: Artists Call Against U.S. Intervention in Central America Archive, [series.folder]. The Museum of Modern Art Archives, New York.
Short version: Artists Call, [series.folder]. MoMA Archives, NY.
While most of the materials are in good condition, some more fragile documents and photographs have been interleaved with acid-free paper or placed in Mylar sleeves as appropriate. All posters were placed in individual Mylar sleeves inside archival paper folders when cataloged by the library; they have been retained, though the archival folders have been replaced in some cases. Some posters that arrived folded have been flattened and housed in flat file drawers or oversize boxes.
Series I: Organizational Files |
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Series I contains the organizational files related to the operation of Artists Call. The contents include correspondence, press releases, mailing lists, exhibition invitations, flyers, posters, and mail art. All folded posters have been flattened and placed in oversize folders within this series. |
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| Folder | Title | Date |
| I.1 | Artists Call Exhibition Vouchers Used at an Artists Call benefit exhibition at Judson Memorial Church. |
1983 |
| I.2 | The Wall Street Journal February 21, 1984 issue of newspaper. |
1984 |
| I.3 | Contact List | 1983 |
| I.4* | Artists Call Performance Festival Flyer January 13-22, 1984. Four copies. |
1984 |
| I.5 | Flyer and Newspaper Advertisement Flyer and newspaper advertisement featuring Oldenberg's design. |
1984 |
| I.6 | Postcard and Poster Includes water-damaged poster for the exhibition Women in Politics at INTAR Latin American Galllery, February 13–March 30, 1984. |
1983-1984 |
| I.7 | Press Packets Several copies of folder of materials including Artists Call flyers, news summaries of events in South America, and a bibliography for information on South American countries. |
1983 |
| I.8 | Press Packets Several copies of folder of materials including Artists Call flyers, news summaries of events in South America, and a bibliography for information on South American countries. |
1983 |
| I.9 | Artwork Photographs Annotated photographs and polaroids of artworks sent in by artists to be considered for exhibitions. |
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| I.10 | Handwritten Notes Various small handrwitten notes, typically contact information, and a letter from poet Chris Kadison. |
1983 |
| I.11* | Posters Posters for an Artists Call poetry reading schedule from March 18–June 3, 1983, and for the exhibition Dictadores y Caudillos at the Jamaica Arts Center from July 30–August 31, 1983, and INTAR Latin American Gallery from September 9–October 5, 1983. |
1983 |
| I.12 | Capp Street Foundation Includes letter from chairman of the foundation, a brochure, and a newsletter from the Caribbean Basin Working Group. |
1983 |
| I.13 | Guest List | |
| I.14 | Informational Flyers on South America | 1984 |
| I.15 | Exhibition Installation Sketch-Muntadas | |
| I.16 | Emergency Reading Flyer Flyer for a poetry reading for peace in Central America. |
1984 |
| I.17 | Artwork Images and Exhibition Entries | |
| I.18 | Flyers, Art and Artists Includes Art and Artists (January 1984), correspondence, an image of an artwork by Barbara Kruger, and flyers. |
1983-1984 |
| I.19 | Operation Documents Includes a financial report, member list, and a draft of an essay by Coosje van Bruggen. |
1983-1984 |
| I.20 | Flyer Also includes a telegram in Spanish from Alexandra Weisgel. |
1984 |
| I.21 | Flyers Includes January 1984 calendar of events, and exhibition poster for Climbing: The East Village at Hal Bromm from January 7–February 4, 1984. |
1983-1984 |
| I.22 | Notes Includes an article concerning Central America from Vogue November 1983. |
1983-1984 |
| I.23 | Artists Call Letterhead With press packet and envelopes. |
1983 |
| I.24 | Notes Includes an exhibition announcement for Rape Intervention at Yvonne Séguy Gallery from January 10–February 5 1984, and various handwritten notes. |
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| I.25* | Photograph of a Man Holding a Dominican Flag Photograph by Ricky Flores. |
1983 |
| I.26 | Flyers Calendar of events for January 1984, and event flyers. |
1984 |
| I.27 | Newspaper Articles Press articles from The Philadelphia Inquirer December 23, 1983, and Daily News January 15, 1984. |
1983-1984 |
| I.28 | Statements Press release for performance Artists Call Procession for Peace on January 28, 1984, a written statement from Artists Call, and three copies of Art and Artists January 1984 issue. |
1984 |
| I.29 | January 1984 Events Event calendars. |
1984 |
| I.30 | Notes Handwritten notes, drafts of essays, flyers. |
1983-1984 |
| I.31 | Correspondence, Flyers | 1983-1984 |
| I.32 | The Fine Line in Central America Exhibition Exhibition held at Gallery 345: Art for Social Change from January 17–February 4, 1984. Includes announcement and press release. |
1984 |
| I.33 | Photographs Photographs of artwork submissions. |
1983 |
| I.34 | Notes and Flyers Includes a progress report on Artists Call exhibitions by Coosje van Bruggen. |
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| I.35 | Artwork Images Includes handwritten note. |
1983 |
| I.36 | The New York Times Newspaper February 3rd, 1984 article about El Salvador. |
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| I.37* | October 1984 Calendar Poster Poster titled Flowers for Central America. |
1984 |
| I.38 | Interview Transcript Participants unknown. |
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| I.39 | Notes Includes a "Reconstruction Project" proposal, handwritten notes, and newspaper clippings. |
1983-1984 |
| I.40 | Flyers | 1983-1984 |
| I.41 | Notes Handwritten notes. |
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| I.42 | Notes Handwritten notes on a folder. |
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| I.43* | Proposal Hand-drawn sketch of work in progress by John Theodore Spencer to be considered for Artists Call exhibition. |
1983 |
| I.44 | Newspaper Clippings January 1984 calendar of events, flyers, and newspaper clippings. |
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| I.45 | Press Includes press packets, newspaper clippings, and a photograph of Claes Oldenburg discussing his poster for Artists Call. |
1984 |
| I.46 | Solidarity Art by Mail Exhibition at Judson Memorial Church January 21–February 4, 1984. Includes price list for exhibition, and newspaper clippings. |
1984 |
| I.47 | Performance Festival Lists of participating and interested artists. |
1983-1984 |
| I.48 | Universidad de El Salvador Flyers, newspaper articles, and correspondence. |
1983-1984 |
| I.49 | Operation Documents Includes September 1983 progress report, drafts of letters, correspondence, and handwritten notes. |
1983 |
| I.50 | Correspondence Letter from Hans Haacke, correspondence. |
1984 |
| I.51* | Paul Taylor Dance Company Poster for Paul Taylor Dance Company Spring 1984 season. |
1984 |
| I.52 | Operation Documents Correspondence, exhibition announcement and accompanying notes, flyers, financial notes, drafts of public statements, and an artwork photograph from Mary Frank. |
1983-1984 |
| I.53 | Operation Documents Newspaper clippings, a copy of the book El Salvador: Poesia Militanta/Militant Poetry by Roque Dalton, artwork photographs, The Economist (July 1983), and The New York Times Magazine (August 28, 1983). |
1983-1984 |
| I.54 | Operation Documents Includes Coosje van Bruggen's notebook, flyers, a draft of an essay, and notes. |
1983-1984 |
| I.55 | Operation Documents Shipping documents, correspondence, newspaper clippings, October 1983 copy of PAD/D's Red Letter Days, and other PAD/D flyers. |
1983-1984 |
| I.56 | Artworks Includes a matchbook with "Lawler" written on the back, and artwork photographs. |
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| I.57 | Group Material Flyer | 1983 |
| I.58 | Flyers | 1983 |
| I.59* | Terminal New York Poster | 1983 |
| I.60 | El Salvador Includes flyers and press releases from various El Salvadorian organizations. |
1983 |
| I.61 | Correspondence Includes artist correspondence and entries for exhibition, and shipping documents. |
1983 |
| I.62 | Notes Includes notes, flyers, and lists. |
1983 |
| I.63 | Correspondence with Other Institutions | 1983 |
| I.64 | Notes and Photographs | |
| I.65 | Photograph Portfolio Some photographs are water-damaged and stuck together. |
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| I.66 | Photograph Portfolio Some photographs are water-damaged and stuck together. |
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| I.67 | Photographs, Notes Includes materials from Helene Aylon and Group Material. |
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| I.68 | Notepad | |
| I.69 | Notes and Correspondence Also includes slides and polaroids, and a press packet. |
1983 |
| I.70 | Maria Thereza Alves Artwork slides. |
1983 |
| I.71* | Artists Call Poster Designed by Claes Oldenburg, does not include names of participants. |
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| I.72 | Press | 1984 |
| I.73 | Flyers and Memos Also includes draft of an article written by Coosje van Bruggen. |
1983 |
| I.74 | Artworks and Artist Ephemera Includes two mail art periodicals by X-Change, Calling Nicaragua and Calling Poland. |
1983-1984 |
| I.75 | Exhibition Flyers | 1984 |
| I.76* | Los Tres Padres-No Pasaran! Poster Poster designed by Florence Siegel. |
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| I.77* | Rubber Stamp for Exhibition Submissions Stamp reads "Your artwork for Artists Call should be delivered to ________." |
1983 |
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Series II: Exhibition Entries |
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Series II contains all mailed entries to be considered for various Artists Call exhibitions. Specific exhibitions are not always mentioned in the correspondence so the series is organized alphabetically by the last name of the correspondent. Any slides or photographs of artworks to be considered were originally separated from the corresponding letters and set aside. Because of this, all photographs are located at the beginning of the series. Artists Call also created index cards for each artist who submitted work, which are all located in II.4*. |
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| Folder | Title | Date |
| II.1 | Artwork Slides and Photographs (Folder 1 of 2) | 1983-1984 |
| II.2 | Artwork Slides and Photographs (Folder 2 of 2) | 1983-1984 |
| II.3 | Installation Slides | 1983-1984 |
| II.4* | Index Cards Index cards for each artist who sent in an exhibition entry. |
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| II.5 | A | 1983-1984 |
| II.6* | A Article from Express Spring 1983 about Alice Aycock's work in exhibition 1984: A Preview at Ronald Feldman Gallery, January 25–March 11, 1983. |
1983 |
| II.7 | Ba-Be | 1983-1984 |
| II.8 | Bi-Bu | 1983-1984 |
| II.9 | C | 1983-1984 |
| II.10 | D | 1983-1984 |
| II.11 | E | 1983-1984 |
| II.12 | F | 1983-1984 |
| II.13* | F Hand-drawn sketch of artwork by Gigi Franklin titled El Salvador. |
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| II.14 | Ga-Gi | 1983-1984 |
| II.15 | Go-Gu | 1983-1984 |
| II.16 | H | 1983-1984 |
| II.17 | I | 1983-1984 |
| II.18 | J Includes an entry from Alfredo Jaar. |
1983-1984 |
| II.19 | K Includes an entry from Jerry Kearns. |
1983-1984 |
| II.20 | La-Le Includes an entry from Louise Lawler and Sherrie Levine. |
1983-1984 |
| II.21 | Li-Ly | 1983-1984 |
| II.22 | Ma-Me | 1983-1984 |
| II.23 | Mi-Mu Includes an entry from Marilyn Minter. |
1983-1984 |
| II.24 | N | 1983-1984 |
| II.25 | O | 1983-1984 |
| II.26 | P | 1983-1984 |
| II.27 | Q | 1983-1984 |
| II.28 | R | 1983-1984 |
| II.29* | R Poster for exhibition Paintings by Ray Ring: 2048 Variations on a Drawing by Malevich at the City University Graduate Center Mall. |
1981 |
| II.30 | Sa-Sh Includes an entry from Carolee Schneemann. |
1983-1984 |
| II.31 | Si-Sn | 1983-1984 |
| II.32 | So-Sz | 1983-1984 |
| II.33 | T | 1983-1984 |
| II.34 | U | 1983-1984 |
| II.35 | V | 1983-1984 |
| II.36 | W | 1983-1984 |
| II.37 | Y | 1983-1984 |
| II.38 | Z | 1983-1984 |
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File numbers marked by an asterisk (*) indicate oversize material that has been separated to the end of the collection. Researchers should include the asterisk when issuing a request for such material.
| Series | Folder Range | Box |
| I | 1-9 | 1 |
| I | 10-27 | 2 |
| I | 28-47 | 3 |
| I | 48-57 | 4 |
| I | 58-69 | 5 |
| I, II | 70-78, 1-3 | 6 |
| II | 4*-13* | 7 |
| II | 14-20 | 8 |
| II | 21-30 | 9 |
| II | 31-38 | 10 |
| I, II | I.78*, II.4* | 11 |
| I, II | I.4*, I.11*, I.25*, I.37*, I.43*, I.51*, I.59*, I.72*, I.77*, II.6*, II.13*, II.29* | 12 |