An interview of Stephen Antonakos conducted 1975 May 9, by Paul Cummings, for the Archives of American Art.
Antonakos speaks of his family and educational background; his work as a commercial artist; the influence of Ben Shahn and David Martin; his association with the Allan Stone Gallery, Fischbach Gallery, and John Weber Gallery; and his collages, pillow assemblages and mail art projects. He discusses his neon sculpture, including electrical wiring and timing devices, selection of colors, glass tubing, installation problems and the cost of electricity. He discusses the aesthetic and conceptual development of his work with neon and mail art. He recalls Donald E. Droll, Marilyn Cole Fischbach and Lucy Lippard.
Biographical / Historical:
Stephen Antonakos (1926-) is a sculptor from New York, New York.
General:
Originally recorded on 2 sound tape reels. Reformatted in 2010 as 4 digital wav files. Duration is 3 hrs., 30 min.
Provenance:
This interview is part of the Archives' Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
Topic:
Neon sculpture -- New York (State) -- New York Search this
Sculpture, Modern -- 20th century -- United States Search this
Sculptors -- New York (State) -- New York -- Interviews Search this
Genre/Form:
Sound recordings
Interviews
Sponsor:
Funding for the digital preservation of this interview was provided by a grant from the Save America's Treasures Program of the National Park Service.
