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A Forest of Signs: Art in the Crisis of Representation
May 7-Aug. 13, 1989
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A Forest of Signs: Art in the Crisis of Representation was co-curated by Mary Jane Jacob and Ann Goldstein. The show was the first museum-based overview of American art from the late 1970s to 1989 and featured thirty artists. The show included existing artwork as well as works created specifically for this event. Exhibition installations included radio spots, a mural on the Temporary Contemporary south wall, bronze inlays into the sidewalk around the Temporary Contemporary, multimedia installations, drawings, and prints. The show was originally scheduled to tour, but did not due to its size.
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A Forest of Signs: Art in the Crisis of Representation, 1985-1991
Box 40
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Folder 15
Checklist-final
Contains checklist from the catalog.
1 item
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Folder 16
Project description
Includes drafts of exhibit proposal and NEA grant application for special exhibition.
11 items
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Folder 17
Curator's notes
Includes notes made during exhibition planning meetings.
35 items
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Folder 18-19
Budget
Draft budgets, invoices, internal memos, and projected installation costs.
95 items
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Folder 20
Lannan Foundation
Includes the grant proposal and correspondence concerning funding for roundtable discussions.
18 items
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Folder 21
Funding
Includes internal correspondence and letters to potential funders.
56 items
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Folder 22
Corporate sponsor requests
7 items
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Folder 23
NEA
Includes application instructions and drafts for grants for the exhibition and to purchase works of art.
26 items
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Folder 24
Incoming correspondence,
Jun. 1987-Feb. 1990 Correspondees include Peter Nagy. Includes replies to information requests, and reactions to the show and catalog. Also includes one thank you note from the Olander family for catalog dedication to William Olander.
63 items
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Folder 25
Outgoing correspondence,
Jun. 1987-Feb. 1991 Includes letters to artists and galleries following research trips, thank you letters to funders, and letters to lenders regarding return of artwork.
188 items
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Folder 26
Outgoing correspondence-artist letters,
1988-1989 Includes form letters to artists proposing their participation in the exhibition, letters describing artists' pages in the catalog, confirming opening dates, and thank-you notes.
159 items
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Folder 27
NYC trip,
May 1987 Includes calendar, curator's notes, artist contact information, and one letter from Peter Nagy.
24 items
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Folder 28
NYC trip,
Oct. 1987 Includes itinerary and artist contact lists.
8 items
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Folder 29
NYC, Washington DC, Chicago trip,
Nov. 1987 Includes artist list and curator's notes.
7 items
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Folder 30
Artists' responses to proposed exhibit
Includes letters from Peter Nagy, Ronald Jones, as well as one photocopied letter from Judith Barry.
15 items
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Folder 31
Research-gallery contacts
Includes correspondence regarding requests for information/slides.
9 items
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Folder 32
Research-Metro Pictures
27 items
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Folder 33
Research-1990 Biennial Proposals
Copies of proposals for the American Pavilion at the 1990 Venice Biennial prepared by the New Museum of Contemporary Art; Jenny Holzer; Richard Prince with Sherri Levine; Jenny Holzer with Barbara Kruger; and Cindy Sherman.
10 items
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Folder 34
Artist lists
Includes notes on participation in roundtable discussions.
31 items
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Box 41
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Folder 1
Richard Baim-general information
Includes biographical information, exhibition announcements, a set of photographs from the artist, and two pages of curator's notes from conversations with the artist.
21 items
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Folder 2
Richard Baim-correspondence,
Oct. 1987-Oct. 1989 Includes six typed and two handwritten letters from the artist.
23 items
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Folder 3
Judith Barry-general information
Includes biographical information, two pages of curator's notes from conversations with the artist, and a copy of the layout for MOMA's installation of "Echo."
12 items
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Folder 4
Judith Barry-correspondence,
Oct. 1987-Oct. 1989 Includes two handwritten, seven typed, and one photocopied letter from the artist, an equipment list for "Echo," and the artist's agreement.
24 items
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Folder 5
Ericka Beckman-general information
Includes biographical information, and one page of curator's notes from a conversation with the artist.
17 items
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Folder 6
Ericka Beckman-correspondence,
Oct. 1987-Oct. 1989 Includes five typed letters from the artist and the artist's agreement.
19 items
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Folder 7
Gretchen Bender-general information
Includes biographical information, as well as budget and technical information for the "Total Recall" installation at The Kitchen in NYC.
11 items
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Folder 8
Gretchen Bender-correspondence,
Jun. 1988-Oct. 1989 Includes one typed and one faxed letter from the artist.
7 items
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Folder 9
Dara Birnbaum-general information
Includes biographical information and photocopies of "PM Magazine" layout photos.
16 items; 1 photograph
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Folder 10
Dara Birnbaum-correspondence,
Jun. 1988-Oct. 1989 Includes three typed and one handwritten letter from the artist and the artist's agreement.
14 items
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Folder 11
Dara Birnbaum-curator's notes
14 items
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Folder 12
Barbara Bloom-general information
Includes biographical information, artist's statement, and a copy of "Broken" essay by the artist. Also includes a copy of the NEA grant to purchase "Reign of Narcissism," which was called "Vanitas" in the application.
32 items
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Folder 13
Barbara Bloom-correspondence,
Dec. 1987-Oct. 1989 Includes the artist's agreement, the NEA grant for purchase of "Reign of Narcissism," and two handwritten notes from the artist.
22 items
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Folder 14
Troy Brantuch-general information
Includes biographical information and curator's notes.
10 items
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Folder 15
Troy Brantuch-correspondence,
May 1988-Oct. 1989 Correspondence with Kent Fine Art.
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Folder 16
Sarah Charlesworth-general information
Includes CMP Bulletin v. 3 no. 5, 1984, featuring the artist with a note from the artist, biographical information, curator's notes, and exhibition announcements.
18 items
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Folder 17
Sarah Charlesworth-correspondence,
May 1987-Oct. 1989 3 items
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Folder 18
Jack Goldstein-general information
Includes a checklist, curator's notes, and exhibition announcements.
24 items
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Folder 19
Jack Goldstein-correspondence,
Oct. 1987-Oct. 1989 Includes a copy of the artist's agreement.
14 items
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Folder 20
Jenny Holzer-general information
Includes biographical information.
20 items
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Folder 21
Jenny Holzer-correspondence,
Oct. 1987-Oct. 1989 Includes three handwritten letters, one typed letter, and two postcards from the artist.
23 items
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Folder 22
Ronald Jones-general information
Includes biographical information; curator's notes; two "Identity Card: for personnel engaged in the protection of cultural property" with a statement by the artist on verso; and a proposal for the installation.
24 items
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Folder 23
Ronald Jones-notes
Includes internal memos and letters to members of the Japanese community to arrange a discussion about the project.
48 items
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Folder 24
Ronald Jones-correspondence,
Dec. 1987-Dec. 1990 Includes two typed, thirteen handwritten, and three photocopied letters from the artist, and the artist's agreement.
38 items
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Folder 25
Mike Kelley-general information
Includes biographical information and an agenda from a MOCA Acquisition and Collection Committee Meeting in which the gift of "Pay for Your Pleasure" is considered.
33 items
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Folder 26
Mike Kelley-correspondence,
Sept. 1986-Oct. 1989 Includes letters to Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Flood about their gift, a letter from David Aikens, Esq. confirming that art works "#52" and "16" were created by William (Bill) Bonnin (as part of "Pay for Your Pleasure"); and a letter from Loved Ones of Homicide Victims acknowledging the donation collected from the "Pay for Your Pleasure" installation.
18 items
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Folder 27
Mike Kelley-victims' organizations
Research materials on victims organizations to determine the recipient of donations received as part of the "Pay for Your Pleasure" installation.
22 items
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Folder 28
Jeff Koons-general information
Includes biographical information, exhibition announcements, curator's notes, and a poster from the 1988 "Cultural Geometry" exhibition in Greece.
28 items
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Folder 29
Jeff Koons-correspondence,
Aug. 1989-Oct. 1989 7 items
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Folder 30
Barbara Kruger-general information
The artist's proposed mural project on the South wall of the Temporary Contemporary was not approved in time to be included in the exhibition. It was later realized in 1990 and remained on view for two years. Files for the project are located in box 50.
52 items
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Folder 31
Louise Lawler-general information
Includes biographical information, exhibition announcements, curator's notes, samples of stationery created by the artist, and postcards for the exhibition. Also includes a statement for an NEA grant to purchase "Exhibition 1987," layout notes for installation, and one postcard from the artist.
15 items
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Folder 32
Louise Lawler-notes
Includes two pages of notes from conversations with the artist.
10 items
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Folder 33
Louise Lawler-correspondence,
May. 1988- Oct. 1989 Includes two faxed letters from the artist; one handwritten note from the artist requesting transparencies of "Between Reagan and Bush"; and one handwritten note on a poster for the 1989 exhibition "The Show Isn't Over" at Boston University.
15 items
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Folder 34
Thomas Lawson-general information
Includes biographical information, three color photocopies of sketches (by the artist?) dated Jan. 1988, one article with annotations by the artist, two pages of notes from conversations with the artist, and a fellowship recommendation letter to the Guggenheim Foundation.
23 items
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Folder 35
Thomas Lawson-correspondence,
Oct. 1987-Oct. 1989 Includes three handwritten letters, two typed letters, and one postcard from the artist.
10 items
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Folder 36
Sherrie Levine-correspondence,
Oct. 1985-Oct. 1989 Includes letters to the artist, Richard Kuhlenschmidt Gallery, and Alain Claret.
7 items
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Folder 37
Robert Longo-general information
Includes biographical information, one page of notes from a conversation with the artist, and a list of works prepared by Metro Pictures.
10 items
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Folder 38
Robert Longo-correspondence,
Dec.1987-Oct. 1989 Includes one postcard, one photocopy of a postcard, and two typed letters from the artist.
14 items
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Folder 39
Allan McCollum-general information
Includes biographical information, two pages of notes from conversations with the artist, and sixteen black and white installation photos.
16 items; 16 photos
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Folder 40
Allan McCollum-correspondence,
Feb. 1989-Feb. 1991 Includes the artist's agreement and a MOCA memo about the sale of "Individual Works."
14 items
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Folder 41
Allan McCollum-curator's notes
4 items
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Folder 42
Matt Mullican-general information
Includes biographical information, curator's notes, press releases for exhibitions in 1987 and 1989, and two pages of notes from conversations with the artist.
23 items
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Folder 43
Matt Mullican-correspondence,
Jul. 1988-Oct. 1989 Includes letters to the artist.
5 items
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Folder 44
Peter Nagy-general information
Includes biographical information, one typed letter from the artist, and two pages of notes from conversations with the artist.
21 items
Box 42
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Folder 1
Peter Nagy-correspondence
Jul. 1988-Oct. 1989 Includes letters to the artist.
7 items
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Folder 2
Stephen Prina-correspondence,
Mar. 1988-Oct. 1989 Includes letters to the artist and visitor comments regarding his work.
12 items
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Folder 3
Richard Prince-general information
Includes biographical information, an NEA inquiry form regarding a purchase grant, and an invoice from Barbara Gladstone Gallery for two "Untitled" prints and "O.K. Girl" print.
26 items
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Folder 4
Richard Prince-correspondence,
Jul. 1988-Oct. 1989 Includes a copy of the NEA purchase grant, a letter of recommendation for the Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship, and correspondence with Barbara Gladstone regarding the puchase of three Prince prints.
18 items
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Folder 5
Laurie Simmons-general information
Includes curator's notes.
10 items
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Folder 6
Laurie Simmons-correspondence,
Apr. 1987-Oct. 1989 Includes a letter to the artist and correspondence with the Saint Louis Art Museum about the loan of Simmons' work.
9 items
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Folder 7
Haim Steinbach-general information
Includes biographical information, one letter from the artist, and curator's notes.
21 items
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Folder 8
Haim Steinbach-notes
Includes internal memos regarding the artist's visit (Feb. 1989) and curator's notes.
13 items
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Folder 9
Haim Steinbach-correspondence,
Jan. 1989-Oct. 1989 Includes one photocopied loan request letter to Mr. C. Omori from the artist on behalf of MOCA.
11 items
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Folder 10
Mitchell Syrop-general information
Includes biographical information, a photocopy of the "Demenstruation" essay, curator's notes, and exhibition announcements.
27 items
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Folder 11
Mitchell Syrop-correspondence,
Mar. 1986-Oct. 1989 Includes letters to the artist and Kuhlenschmidt-Simon Gallery.
5 items
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Folder 12
James Welling-general information
Includes biographical information, one typed letter and one postcard from the artist, a checklist prepared by Jay Gorney Gallery, a faxed copy of an installation layout sketch, and a receipt for loan to Mr. Alain Clairet.
18 items
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Folder 13
James Welling-correspondence,
Oct. 1987-Oct. 1989 Includes letters to the artist.
7 items
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Folder 14
Christopher Williams-correspondence,
Mar. 1986-Oct. 1989 Includes letters to the artist, a draft of Mary Jane Jacob's essay sent to Morton Winston, and a letter sent to Howard Allagier of the Botanical Museum at Harvard on behalf of Williams requesting a film "portrait."
11 items
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Folder 15
Christopher Williams-general information
Includes biographical information; letters from galleries; curator's notes; a proposed budget for "the Printer"; one handwritten note (by Williams?) with Howard Allagier's address; and "New Observations" magazine, issue #44 edited by Christopher Williams and Stephen Prina.
49 items
Artist files,
1986-1991 Files include correspondence with the artists.
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Folder 16
Artists' exhibition agreements
Includes checklists that provide installation descriptions, requirements, and outline each artist's agreement.
26 items
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Folder 17
Curator's notes on collectors
1 item
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Folder 18
Lenders
2 items
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Folder 19
Loans
121 items
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Folder 20
Catalog
Includes correspondence with MIT Press and guest essayist Anne Rorimer, as well as drafts of the director's forward and Jacob and Goldstein's essays. Also includes the 1989 MIT Press catalog.
34 items
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Folder 21
Catalog-MIT correspondence
10 items
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Folder 22
Catalog-schedule
12 items
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Folder 23
Catalog-author contract and correspondence
3 items
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Folder 24
Catalog-form letter to artists
60 items
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Folder 25
Catalog research-Jacob essay
1 item
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Folder 26
Catalog- text
Drafts of dedication and Goldstein essay and list of artists.
122 items
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Folder 27
Catalog-back matter
Curator's notes, list of back matter, and list of artists' materials.
18 items
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Folder 28
Catalog-photo rights and reporoductions
96 items
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Folder 29
Catalog mailing list
7 items
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Folder 30
Installation
Includes equipment lists, budgets, and floorplan, as well as installation diagrams for works by Barry and Bender.
32 items
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Folder 31
Signage
5 items
Box 43
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Folder 1
Press release
4 items
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Folder 2
Media coverage
85 items
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Folder 3
Gallery guide
4 items
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Folder 4
Invitations
Invitation letters to opening gala, private curators council dinners, previews, and artists' reception luncheon.
8 items
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Folder 5
Invitation lists
Mailing lists including artists and lenders, invitation lists to curators council event and artist's reception luncheon (at Janger home), and copies of invitation letters.
62 items
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Folder 6
Janger luncheon
Invitation, staff list, and RSVP list.
11 items
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Folder 7
Curators council dinners
Invitations, replies, confirmation letters, and list of dinner attendees.
173 items
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Folder 8
Educational programs
Includes proposal and projected budget for roundtable discussions, a copy of the grant proposal to L.K. Whittier Foundation, the press release for "gallery discussions," and a letter acknowledging the gift of a slide projector from Mrs. Betty Duker.
11 items
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Folder 9
Artists' projects-billboards
Includes the posting list of mall posters.
5 items
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Folder 10
Artists' projects-travel
2 items
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Folder 11
Symposium
Includes copies of the early proposal for roundtable discussions and budget for the Founder's opening.
11 items
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Folder 12
Art talks
Includes a copy of the essay, "A Forest of Signs: The Price of Goodness" by Jeremy Gilbert-Rolfe, and a letter and edited copy of a lecture given by Fred Fehlau.
15 items
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Folder 13
Tour-circulation letters
Includes gallery and museum list.
54 items
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Folder 14
Tour-venue solicitation list
7 items
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Folder 15
Tour-itinerary
5 items
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Folder 16
Tour-notes
Memos and correspondence about which part of the show will travel.
5 items
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Folder 17
Tour-correspondence,
Aug. 1987- Dec. 1989 Includes letters dated Jun. 14, 1989 notifying interested institutions that the exhibition would be unable to tour due to its size.
190 items