Don Milliken Collection of Correspondence Art and Related Materials
Scope and Contents
The collection consists primarily of correspondence art, magazines, artists' books, small press publications, and postcards. Also contained in this collection are materials related to correspondence art, such as exhibition catalogs, stamp catalogs, book buying catalogs, posters, and public relations material. This collection comprises an almost complete compilation of Don Milliken's OR publications.
Dates
- 1965 - 1990
Creator
- Milliken, Don, 1941- (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
There is no restriction on access to the Don Milliken Collection of Correspondence Art and Related Materials for research use. Particularly fragile items are restricted for preservation purposes.
Conditions Governing Use
Requests for permission to publish material from the Don Milliken Collection of Correspondence Art and Related Materials should be directed to the Archives and Special Collections. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.
Biographical / Historical
Correspondence art, or mail art, beginning in the 1960s, is a participatory, worldwide art movement allowing for the decentralized participation of artists and amateurs in a variety of media through the use of the international postal system. Correspondence art creates and fosters a network of communication through the exchange of ideas, art, and materials while rejecting the exclusionary world of art museums and juried exhibitions. Correspondence artists often employ found objects, rubber stamps, collage, photography, and various printing technologies in the creation of their mailed art.
Don Milliken, former Amherst College Curator of Visual Resources, was active in the correspondence art movement from the 1970s to the late 1990s as a creator and receiver of mail art. He is internationally known for his publication OR and has participated in numerous collaborative publications and exhibitions.
Extent
7 Linear feet (5 records storage boxes, 1 oversize flat box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Correspondence art is a worldwide art movement emphasizing the decentralized participation of artists and amateurs in a variety of media through the use of the international postal system. This collection consists primarily of correspondence art, magazines, artists' books, small press publications, and postcards. Also contained in this collection are materials related to correspondence art, such as exhibition catalogs, stamp catalogs, book buying catalogs, posters, and public relations material.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into two series:
- Series 1: Correspondence Art
- Series 2: Related Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection developed incrementally through donations by Don Milliken over the years 1981-2003. Betsy Siersma, Interim Director of the Mead Art Museum, donated the OR publications in 2007.
Physical Description
5 records storage boxes, 1 oversize flat box
- Art, Modern -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Artists' books Subject Source: Library Of Congress Genre/Form Terms
- Exhibition catalogs Subject Source: Library Of Congress Genre/Form Terms
- Mail art Subject Source: Library Of Congress Genre/Form Terms
- Periodicals Subject Source: Library Of Congress Genre/Form Terms
- Postage stamps in art Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Sales catalogs Subject Source: Library Of Congress Genre/Form Terms
Source
- Milliken, Don, 1941- (Donor, Person)
- Author
- Chris Barber
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Amherst College Archives and Special Collections Repository
Amherst College Archives & Special Collections
Robert Frost Library
61 Quadrangle Drive
Amherst MA 01002-5000
(413) 542-2299
archives@amherst.edu