Max Neuhaus papers, 1950s-2008

Summary Information

Abstract

Research materials relating to the creation and installation of sound sculptures by Max Neuhaus.

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#1517
Bib ID:
7459260 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Neuhaus, Max
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
31.25 linear feet (16 document boxes; 9 record cartons; 8 cassette boxes; 4 videotape boxes)
Language(s):
English , German , Korean , Italian , French , 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

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.

Arrangement

Arranged in 11 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.

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.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Max Neuhaus Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accrual

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.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2009-2010-M039: Source of acquisition--Source. Method of acquisition--Purchase; Date of acquisition--9/17/2009.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

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.

Revision Description

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

Biographical / Historical

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.

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
Audiocassettes CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Audiotapes CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Compact discs CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Floor plans (form attributes) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Floppy disks CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Photographs CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Slides (photographs) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Videotapes CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Name
Dia Center for the Arts (New York, N.Y.) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Neuhaus, Max CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Neuhaus, Max CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Neuhaus, Max (Time Piece Beacon) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Neuhaus, Max (Times Square) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Subject
Art, Modern -- 20th century CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Fuzzy systems CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Installations (Art) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Musicians CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Performance art CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Site-specific art CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Sound in art CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Sound installations (Art) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Tourist maps CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID