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.
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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.
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Oversize folders located at end of Series II
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.
- Series I
- Subseries I.1: Cataloged Correspondence
- Subseries I.2: Arranged Correspondence
- Subseries I.3: General Files
- Subseries I.4: Production Files
- Subseries I.5: Videos
- Subseries I.6: Art
- Subseries I.7: Clippings Files
- Subseries I.8: Audio/Visual Material
- Subseries I.9: Posters
- Subseries I.10: Oversize Material
- Subseries I.11: Production Files
- Subseries I.12: General Printed Material
- Series II
- Subseries II.1: Press Files
- Subseries II.2: Research Files
- Subseries II.3: Books
- Subseries II.4: Scores
- Subseries II.5: Crete File
- Subseries II.6: Projects
- Subseries II.7: Programs and Literatures
- Subseries II.8: Budget Documentation
- Subseries II.9: Miscellaneous Contracts
- Series III
Using the Collection
Restrictions on Access
Rbml Advance Appointment
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.
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