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.
A variety of materials relating mostly to his various installations and explorations of sound. Neuhaus did not record the sounds of his installations because he believed the sound was meaningless without the surrounding environment. The papers are comprised of correspondence, plans, designs, background research files, maps, catalogs, slides, reel-to-reel tapes, cassettes, videos, photographs, floppy disks, cds, a full Macintosh PowerBook 5300ce laptop, and printed material.
There is a variety of materials in these files: correspondence, notes, research material, memoranda, maps, designs, darwings, contracts, brochures, etc.
Commercial, not digitized
Note in some cases different labels appear on the metal cases and on the actual reels. In these cases, both labels are listed.
Boxes 38 and 39 contain audio CDs, which are access copies for for audio materials not linked below.
Arranged in 11 series.
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.
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.
Audiovisual content must be digitized prior to use. Some unique time-based media items have been reformatted and are available onsite via links in the container list. Commercial materials are not routinely digitized. Email rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Max Neuhaus Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
No accruals are expected
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
2009-2010-M039: Source of acquisition--Source. Method of acquisition--Purchase; Date of acquisition--9/17/2009.
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Papers processed PTL 1/2014.
Boxes 38 and 39 contain CDs of material digitized from audio reels and audio cassette tapes. As of September 2019, these materials can be accessed on-site via links in the container list below and directly via the DLC portal. A printed list of the contents of boxes 38 and 39 is found in the collection file. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
2014-01-07 File created.
2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.
2019-08-26 Links to previously digitized audio and video added; references to digital CD access copies removed for those items. kws
2020-01-10 Former Series IX (Film) added to video series; series numbers adjusted. kws
Max Neuhaus was born in Beaumont, Texas in 1939. He studied music at the Manhattan School of Music and became a renowned percussionist and interpreter of contemporary music while still in his twenties. He developed into a pioneer of artistic activities with sound. He was the first to extend sound as an autonomous medium into the domain of contemporary art. Neuhaus died at age 69 in Maratea, a coastal town in southern Italy.
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.