Robert Wilson papers, 1969-2000

Summary Information

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#1449
Bib ID:
4079713 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Wilson, Robert, 1941-
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
148 linear feet (318 boxes in ReCAP (1-59, 60a,b,c,d, 61-74, 75a,b,c, 76-81, 82a,b, 83-99, 100a,b, 101-294; 1 cataloged box (CC1), 4 flat boxes, 1 mapcase drawer, 1 oversize folder)
Language(s):
English .
Access:
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Series II, Box 20: Permission of the Byrd Hoffman Foundation required.

Description

Scope and Content

Correspondence, outlines, scripts, production notes, technical materials, story boards, contracts, posters, programs, announcements, recordings, reviews, and other printed materials relating to all aspects of Robert Wilson's theater works, opera, films, artwork and video productions. There are files for all of Wilson's theatrical performances, the most extensive of which is the CIVIL warS. Also included are the files of the Byrd Hoffman Foundation.

Series II contains press materials for 1988 and research materials for King Lear, The Forest, and Parsifal, as well as miscellaneous research files for 1987. In addition, one can find various documents (letters, contracts, etc.) relating to the following productions: The Forest; Alcestis; The Golden Windows; Patio; Edison; Black Rider; Murder (Deafman Glance); CIVIL warS; and Knee Plays. A group of miscellaneous files follows, containing such items as scores, research materials, and budget documentation. In the oversize folders of the series are scores for The Golden Windows and De Materie, research for Black Rider, a press kit for Knee Plays, and various King Lear documents.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into 3 series. 2 oversize flat boxes, 295 and 296 were formerly also known as Flat Boxes 583 and 584 of the Flat Box series. Flat Boxes 582, 585 and 586 also formerly contained Wilson materials, but they were moved in October 2022 to three tall MS. Boxes, Nos. 297, 298, 299.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Series II, Box 20: Permission of the Byrd Hoffman Foundation required.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Robert Wilson papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Related Materials

See also other Wilson material in the Harvard Theater Collection, Harvard College Library, Cambridge MA 02138 (617-495-2445) & Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts, Theater on Film & Tape Archives, Lincoln Center, 111 Amsterdam Avenue, New York NY 10023 (212-870-1641)

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Papers: Source of acquisition--Wilson, Robert and the Byrd Hoffman Foundation. Method of acquisition--Gift.

Gift of Robert Wilson and the Byrd Hoffman Foundation, 1988-1991.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers Entered in AMC 10/12/1990. Processed by Rudolph Ellenbogen 10/90. RE/MW 10/91; SH 11/93; HR 3/01.

Revision Description

2009-06-26 File created.

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Biographical / Historical

American dramatist, director, designer, performer, writer and artist.

Wilson was born in Waco, Texas on 4 October 1941. He attended the University of Texas Austin, 1959-1962 and the Pratt Institute, 1962-1965 where he earned a BFA in architecture. In 1969 he was appointed artistic director of the Byrd Hoffmann Foundation, New York from where he has produced most of his works. Wilson is know for his performance art. He has taught and lectured in the United States and Europe and exhibited as a sculptor and artist worldwide.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form
Announcements CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Clippings (Information Artifacts) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Contracts CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Manuscripts (documents) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Playbills CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Posters CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Reviews (documents) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Scripts (documents) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Name
Byrd Hoffman Foundation CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Subject
Dramatists CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Experimental theater CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Postmodernism CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Scrapbooks CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Theater -- Production and direction CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Theatrical producers and directors CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID