Black Mountain College (Black Mountain, N.C.) Search this
Place of publication, production, or execution:
United States
Physical Description:
21.8 Linear feet
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged as six series. Series 1: Chronological Files, 1948-2015 (Boxes 1-6; 5.1 linear feet) Series 2: Correspondence, 1948-2009 (Box 6; 0.5 linear feet) Series 3: Project Files, 1947-2016 (Boxes 6-17; 10.8 linear feet) Series 4: Exhibition and Gallery Files, 1963-2016 (Boxes 17-20; 1.5 linear feet) Series 5: Photographic Material, 1951-2004 (Boxes 20-22; 1.8 linear feet) Series 6: Printed Material, 1960-2015 (Boxes 22-23; 0.7 linear feet)
Access Note / Rights:
This collection is open for research. Access to original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center.
Summary:
The papers of artist Kenneth Snelson measure 21.8 linear feet and date from 1947-2016. While primarily known for his sculptures incorporating the structural principle of tensegrity, Snelson was also a prolific photographer and forerunner of computer art. The collection document's the artist's life and work through chronological files, correspondence, project files, gallery and exhibition files, photographic material, and printed material. Chronological files detail seven decades of personal and professional activities, beginning with Snelson's summers at Black Mountain College where he studied with Buckminster Fuller. Project files comprise nearly half of the collection and extensively document his sculptures, towers, atom model, computer art, patents, and cataloging and publishing projects.
Citation:
Kenneth Snelson papers, 1947-2016. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Use Note:
The Archives of American Art makes its archival collections available for non-commercial, educational and personal use unless restricted by copyright and/or donor restrictions, including but not limited to access and publication restrictions. AAA makes no representations concerning such rights and restrictions and it is the user's responsibility to determine whether rights or restrictions exist and to obtain any necessary permission to access, use, reproduce and publish the collections. Please refer to the Smithsonian's Terms of Use for additional information.
Biography Note:
Kenneth Snelson (1927-2016) was a New York City based artist best known for his sculptures incorporating the structural principle of tensegrity, or tensional integrity.
Language Note:
English .
Provenance:
The collection was donated to the Archives of American Art in 2017 by Katherine Snelson, Kenneth Snelson's widow.
Location Note:
Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, 750 9th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
