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Knoll Textiles, 1945-2010 (Bard Graduate Center) exhibition records

 Collection
Identifier: 2022-002

Scope and Contents

Records document the development, research, planning, publicity, related programming, and presentation of the exhibition and its accompanying catalogue. See each series for details of the contents.

Series I: 2008 International Art and Design Fair Exhibition - Materials related to the 2008 exhibition Knoll: Furnishing Textiles in the Clothing Context (October 2–8, 2008), which was installed at the 2008 International Art and Design Fair. This series includes loan and lender research, object files, interpretive text, essays, checklists, installation designs, invitations, correspondence, and press clippings for the 2008 exhibition.

Series II: Catalogue - Materials related to the contents and production of the exhibition catalogue. Includes preliminary outlines and draft essays, a copy of the final publication, author files, and photography and image records.

Series III: Checklists and Objects - Working checklists and files related to loan objects. Includes preliminary checklists, object research files and related correspondence, information on conservation treatment for exhibition objects. Also includes files documenting the donation of objects to other institutions after the exhibition's close.

Series IV: Exhibition Design - Plans, models, and instructions for the exhibition’s design and installation.

Series V: Exhibition Planning - Materials related to the curatorial planning of the exhibition. Includes work plans, working descriptions of the exhibition, and meeting notes.

Series VI: Interpretation - Interpretive material created for the exhibition. Includes gallery text, object labels, wall panels, and graphics.

Series VII: Loans - Files related to loan objects, lenders, and prospective lenders. Includes loan request letters, research inquiries, object files, and related correspondence.

Series VIII: Press and Publicity - Press, publicity, and promotional materials. Includes clippings, invitations, postcards, posters, press brochures and releases, and photographs. Includes photos from a book signing event with catalogue designer Irma Boom.

Series IX: Public Programs - Materials documenting the exhibition's public programming. Includes listings and advertisements for events such as lectures, tours, and programs for educators, museum colleagues, families, seniors, and the public.

Series X: Research - Consists mainly of reproductions from primary and secondary source materials from Knoll's company archives, from relevant periodicals, and from other special collections and archives. Reproductions include fabric swatches, trade catalogs, correspondence, bulletins, and promotional materials. Also includes assembled biographical files on Knoll designers and executives, with a number of interviews by project curators as well as research notes, bibliographies, correspondence and loan inquiries.

For a list of biographical files and, see the Series X: Research in this finding aid.

Dates

  • c. 2008-2011

Access Restrictions

Some materials may be restricted, please contact archives staff for details.

Use Restrictions

Collection use is subject to all copyright laws.

Exhibition History

Knoll Textiles, 1945-2010 (May 18–July 31, 2011) was curated by Earl Martin, Paul Makovsky, Angela Völker, and Susan Ward. The exhibition explored the development and production of textiles by the American design company Knoll and contributed research on the company’s influence on modern furniture design. Its accompanying catalogue was designed by Irma Boom, an award-winning and internationally recognized bookmaker and artist.

A smaller project, Knoll: Furnishing Textiles in the Clothing Context (October 2–8, 2008), directed by Nina Stritzler-Levine and designed by Proenza Schouler, was exhibited at the 2008 International Art and Design Fair at the Park Avenue Armory and served as a preview for the larger 2011 exhibition.

Extent

12.927 Linear Feet (31 manuscript boxes)

15.6 Gigabytes (approximately 13,458 digital files)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Records of the 2011 Bard Graduate Center exhibition Knoll Textiles, 1945-2010, curated by Earl Martin, Paul Makovsky, Angela Völker, and Susan Ward. Records document the development, design, planning, loan objects, research, public programming, and publicity of the exhibition and its accompanying catalogue.

Arrangement

The collection has been arranged into ten series.

Series I: 2008 International Art and Design Fair Exhibition

Series II: Catalogue

Series III: Checklists and Objects

Series IV: Exhibition Design

Series V: Exhibition Planning

Series VI: Interpretation

Series VII: Loans and Registrar

Series VIII: Press and Publicity

Series IX: Public Programs

Series X: Research

Provenance

Materials were consolidated from various locations, mostly files belonging to the Exhibitions department.

Related Materials: Images

Digital exhibition installation views and catalogue illustrations can be accessed from Bard Graduate Center via Artstor. Materials in other BGC collections include press, publicity, and public program materials. Please contact archives staff for details.

Title
Knoll Textiles, 1945-2010 (Bard Graduate Center) exhibition records
Author
Vic Panata
Date
2022
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Bard Graduate Center, New York, NY Repository

Contact:
38 West 86th St.
New York NY 10024