Joseph Sciorra papers, 1907-2006, bulk 1984-2006

Joseph Sciorra papers, 1907-2006, bulk 1984-2006

Summary Information

Abstract

This collection comprises the papers of Joseph Sciorra, academic and folklorist. It includes research materials related to his memorial wall project and other projects on Latin American life in New York.

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#1660
Bib ID:
10286286 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Sciorra, Joseph
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
2 linear feet (2 record cartons)
Language(s):
English , French , Italian , Spanish; Castilian .
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.

This collection has no restrictions.

Description

Summary

The material consists of Sciorra's own research, secondary research material, newspaper clippings, correspondence, photographs, slides, ephemera, architectural plans and elevations, as well as three containers of audio-cassettes. The material relates to Sciorra's research into memorial wall art, Puerto Rican vernacular culture, housing projects, casitas, crime in New York City, and other topics. The material dates from approximately 1984 to 2006.

Arrangement

Material is arranged into 3 Series.

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.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies 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); Joseph Sciorra Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accrual

No additions are expected

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

Ownership and Custodial History

The Joseph Sciorra Papers were the gift of Joseph Sciorra to the Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Columbia University in April, 2013.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2012.2013.M150: Source of acquisition--Joseph Sciorra. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--April, 2013.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed Kathryn Lasdow, GSAS 2017, David Allen, GSAS 2017, Tracy Riggle Young, UTS 2015, Alexander Rocca, GSAS 2016, Vincent Wilcke, GSAPP 2014, Caitlin Beach, GSAS 2017 June, 2013.

Finding Aid written Kathryn Lasdow, David Allen, Tracy Riggle Young, Alexander Rocca, Vincent Wilcke, and Caitlin Beach June, 2013.

Revision Description

2013-06-11 xml document instance created by Adrien Hilton

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

Biographical / Historical

Joseph Sciorra is an Associate Director for Academic and Cultural Programs at Queens College CUNY. He is a folklorist who researches vernacular culture, religious practices, cultural landscapes and popular music. He earned a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania in folklore and folklife and an MA from NYU in performance studies. He published R.I.P. Memorial Wall Art (Henry Holt 1994), reprinted in 2002 (Thames and Hudson). Sciorra served as a curator for numerous exhibitions and has coedited several volumes on various cultural topics.

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.

Name
Sciorra, Joseph
Subject
Graffiti -- New York (State) -- New York
Mural painting and decoration -- Themes, motives
Mural painting and decoration, American -- New York (State) -- New York
Mural painting and decoration, American -- New York (State) -- New York -- 20th century
Street art -- New York (State) -- New York

Series I: R.I.P. Memorial Wall Art Project, 1985-2005

Series I contains research for Sciorra's book project and Bronx Museum of the Arts exhibition on memorial wall art and graffiti in New York City. It also includes newspaper clippings on violent crime, journal articles, notes on wall locations in New York and elsewhere, photographs, funding applications, interview transcripts, and conference correspondence. For audiocassette interviews related to these projects see Series III.


Box 1

NY Times RAP Italiano, 2001-2002


Box 1

Newspaper Clippings, 2003-2005


Box 1

Graffiti -- Today, 1990-2001


Box 1

Commercialization of Graffiti, 1993-1997


Box 1

Anti-Graffiti, 1994-1996


Box 1

Miscellaneous Wall Info, undated


Box 1

Memorial Paintings in Newspapers, 1985-2001


Box 1

Memorials in the News: Special Photo Spreads,1990-1994


Box 1

Wall Forms, undated


Box 1

Memorials, 1992-1996


Box 1

Funerary Portraiture, 1984 1995-1997, 1984, 1995-1997


Box 1

New York City Death Markers (crosses, flowers, assemblages, etc.),, 1985-1997


Box 1

Memorial Shirts, 1992


Box 1

Memorials USA, 1993


Box 1

"Wild Shots,", 1990-1994


Box 1

Stop the Violence, 1991-1994


Box 1

Crown Heights Youth Collective, 1990-1992


Box 1

Violence and Machismo, 1992-1994


Box 1

Guns, 1992-1994


Box 1

Death Statistics, Black and Latino, 1990-1998


Box 1

Lecture Poster, 1997


Box 1

Index of Wall Information, 1991-1993


Box 1

Decline in Homocide (1994), 1995-1997


Box 1

J.B. O'Kane, 1994


Box 1

Historic Catholic Death Markers, 1990-1994


Box 1

Graffiti Memorials, 1987-1993


Box 1

Interviews, 1993


Box 1

Andre "Zone" Charles, 1991-1996


Box 1

Chico, 1987-2000


Box 1

Dragon, 1992-1994


Box 1

Frank Fischetti, undated


Box 1

Kingbee and Hector Gund, 1993


Box 1

Sien, 1994


Box 1

Vonce, undated


Box 1

Sammy, 1992


Box 1

Paco, 1993


Box 1

Per + Nomad, 1993-1995


Box 1

TATS CRU, 1993-2001


Box 1

Tracy, 1992-1994


Box 1

Saint Peter's in the Bronx/Moondog, 1989-1993


Box 1

Jenny & Evelyn, 1988


Box 1

Jeff Herman, 1989


Box 1

Yosef Hawkins Wall,1991


Box 1

All Saints Church Photo Center, 1993


Box 1

Happy Land -- Death Marker, 1991-1992


Box 1

Memorials in the News: The Albanian Boys, 1992


Box 1

Angur & Hell's Angels, 1990-1994


Box 1

Memorials in the News: "Dinky,", 1991-1992


Box 1

Livoti/Baez, 1995


Box 1

Memorabilias in the News: Jessica, 1990-1994


Box 1

Belmont Killing, 1992


Box 1

Memorials in the News: Hughie.1990


Box 1

Memorials in the News: Jose Garcia, 1992


Box 1

Memorials in the News: Brian Watkins, 1990


Box 1

Memorial Walls: Folklife Annual, 1990-1991


Box 1

Memorial Wall: Book, 1991-1992


Box 1

Memorial Grounds, 1997


Box 1

Memorial Walls Expo, 1992


Box 1

Video Funding, 1994-1995


Box 1

Bronx Museum, 1992-1994


Box 1

RIP Publicity, 1994-1995

Series II: General Research Notes, 1907-2006

Series II contains general research for Sciorra's academic and community work on Puerto Rican life in New York including newspaper clippings, architectural floor plans and elevations, photographs, journal articles, correspondence, and field notes. Research topics include the Social Club, Puerto Rican casitas, land use, and Rincon Criolla.


Box 2

Newspaper Clippings, 2002-2006


Box 2

Social Club Bill, 1990


Box 2

Social Club Articles, 1960-1993


Box 2

Puerto Rican Folk and Popular Culture, 1980-1990


Box 2

Queries Rico Food, 1988-1994


Box 2

Social Club Commission Meeting, 1991


Box 2

Miscellaneous Articles on Puerto Rico & Puerto Rican Culture, 1975-1985


Box 2

A. Laura -- Respeto & Relajo, 1964 1969, 1964, 1969


Box 2

A. Quintero Rivera, Rural-Urban Dichotomy in Puerto Rico's Cultural Identity,, undated


Box 2

Mintz, Folk-Urban Continuum and the Rural Proletarian Community, 1953


Box 2

Creolization Article Dell-Hymes, 1971


Box 2

Oscar Vazquez Images of the Jibaro, undated


Box 2

Reviews of Pais de y Pisos, 1984 1986, 1984, 1986


Box 2

Puerto Ricans in NYC, 1978-1985


Box 2

The Airbus -- Luis Rafael Sanchez, 1984 1985, 1984, 1985


Box 2

La Carreta Made a U-Turn, 1976 1981, 1976, 1981


Box 2

La Noche Que Volvimos a Ser Gente -- Jose Luis Ganzalez, 1972


Box 2

Puerto Ricans in U.S. Films, 1987


Box 2

Casitas -- Puerto Rico, 1986-1992


Box 2

Puerto Rican Painting, 1983-1987


Box 2

Bohios, 1907-1992


Box 2

Batey + Garden Articles, 1960-1973


Box 2

Bronx Newspaper Clipping, 2002


Box 2

Binghamton Casitas Correspondence, 1991-1996


Box 2

Floor Plans, undated


Box 2

Casita Project, 1988-1991


Box 2

Casita Articles -- Queries & Correspondences, 1988-1993


Box 2

Casita Exhibition, 1990-1992


Box 2

Casita Conference Papers & Correspondences, 1989-1991


Box 2

Betti-Sue's Quotes, 1989 and undated, 1989, undated


Box 2

Casitas, 1989


Box 2

Casitas Newspaper, 1990


Box 2

Articles on NYC Casitas, 1985-2006


Box 2

Casitas -- The Neighborhoods, 1986-1996


Box 2

Casita Fieldnotes, 1988-1991


Box 2

Casita Stuff Miscellaneous, undated


Box 2

Casita Simulations, 1989 and undated, 1989, undated


Box 2

Greenthumb Plans for Open-Aired Structure, 1989-1991


Box 2

New Uses for Vacant Urban Land, 1982-1994


Box 2

Greenthumb Casitas, 1986-2001


Box 2

Open-Air Material, 1991-1992


Box 2

Shanties, 1989-1996


Box 2

El Balcon Boricia, 1991


Box 2

Villa El Gato -- Peurto Rican Village/Wards Island, 1987-1994


Box 2

Villa Puerto Rico, 1980-1995


Box 2

Rincon Criolla, 1978-2001


Box 2

Capias (Greek-American Versions), 1977


Box 2

Rincon Criollo, 1988-1994


Box 2

Guiro y Maraca, 2006


Box 2

Rincon Article, 1988-1991


Box 2

Rincon Rewrite, 1994-1995


Box 2

The Bronx, 1989-1990

Series III. Audiocassette Tapes, 1988-1999

Series III contains audio recordings and interviews related to his research, as well as examples of popular music in the 1990s.


Box 1

1988-1999