Adál Maldonado papers, 1972-2020

Creator:: Maldonado, Adál Alberto and Pietri, Pedro, 1944-2004
Extent:: 15 Linear Feet (15 ms boxes, 1 tall ms box (box 16), 1 oversize box (box 17), four CMI boxes (boxes 18-21), one mapcase folder (14-P-5). Five AV/digital boxes numbered AV1-AV5.)
Language:: English, Spanish; Castilian
Scope and content:: The Adál Maldonado collection contains letters, manuscripts, sketches, photographs, hand-made books, films, music, audio tapes, and other materials produced by (and in relation to) multidisciplinary artist Adál Maldonado (1948-2020).
Biographical / historical:: Adál Maldonado (1948-2020), known professionally as ADÁL, was a prolific photographer, writer, and multifaceted artist of multimedia, installation, and performance art. Born in Utuado, Puerto Rico, Maldonado migrated to New York City when he was 12. In 1968, he enrolled at the San Francisco Art Institute where he trained as a photographer and as a master printer. Self-identified Nuyorican, Maldonado co-founded and co-directed the Foto-Gallery in Soho with Alex Coleman. His series of photos of Puerto Rican artists, performers, and intellectuals, as well as his avant-garde self-portraits received widespread recognition. In 1994, ADÁL and poet Pedro Pietri co-founded "El Puerto Rican Embassy," a long-term initiative that involved creating a map, anthem, and stamps for the fictitious liberated nation "El Spirit Republic of Puerto Rico." The creation of "El Passport" was one of the most longstanding projects from "El Puerto Rican Embassy." Other notable examples related to "El Puerto Rican Embassy" include the exhibitions "Blueprints for a Nation" (2004) and "Coconauts in Space" (2006), both of which evolved and were featured in multiple times after they premiered. Other important projects of his were the production of "La Mambópera" (2006), a play that explores feminism and Puerto Rican identity, and "Los Ahogados" (2017), a series of photos that portrayed the struggle of Puerto Ricans under colonialism and debt. Maldonado's work explores issues revolving around identity formation, the political status of Puerto Rico, the perception of Puerto Rico in the diaspora, and the power of art to envision new worlds.

Catalog record:

Local call number:

MS#2078

Processing information:

Processed by Ramón Flores Pinedo, LAIC '25, as part of the Primary Source Graduate Internship program, summer 2024.

Portions of the collection were examined and treated for mold in 2022. Some materials still have an unpleasant odor that may bother some patrons.

Acquisition information:

Purchase from Francisco Rovira Rullan, 2022

Related material:

Pedro Pietri papers (MS111) at Archives of the Puerto Rican Diaspora, Center for Puerto Rican Studies, Hunter College, New York NY. https://centroarchives.hunter.cuny.edu/repositories/2/resources/32

Preferred citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Adál Maldonado papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Librar

Access and use

Restrictions:

All original copies of audio / moving image media are closed until reformatting in 2026.

Specific items are marked as restricted in the container list. The collection has no additional restrictions.

This collection is located on-site.

Terms of access:

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.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection