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Studio for Interrelated Media Collection, 1970-1984

 File
Identifier: MCAD007

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the personal papers of Donald Burgy (1937-) as a part of the Studio for Interrelated Media Collection. The materials were created from 1974 to 2001, the period of time where Donald Burgy taught at the Massachusetts College of Art (now Massachusetts College of Art and Design). The materials in this collection include both items from individual classes, faculty committees, and student records. Throughout these folders there are administrative documents, correspondence, event posters and fliers, and artwork from both Donald Burgy and his students.

These materials were donated in a series of milk crates and the original order of this collection from these crates was retained. These folders reflect the original contents and titles of the donated folders, although the materials have been refoldered. Additionally, some of these materials experienced water damage as a result of being stored in these crates.

Some of the student records have been removed due to the presence of private information being present.

Dates

  • 1970-1984

Conditions Governing Access

The Studio for Interrelated Media Collection is the physical property of The MassArt Archives. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is open for research. Restricted Fragile Material may only be consulted with permission of the archivist. Preservation photocopies for reference use have been substituted in the main files.

Biographical / Historical

The Studio for Interrelated Media (SIM) was founded in 1969 by MassArt faculty member Harris Barron as an interdisciplinary, idea-focused, and non-media specific program. Students explore their ideas through light, sound, digital media, and performance with a focus on experimentation, collaboration, and civic engagement. This makes much of the art work produced meant to be experienced in the moment and ephemeral. This program is one of the first of its kind, influenced by the rise of Performance Art in the 1960’s. This major existed in the Media and Performing Arts department until 2010.

Donald Burgy was born in 1937 and grew up in Chicopee, Massachusetts. He graduated with a BFA from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (then Massachusetts School of Art) in 1959 and with an MFA from Rutgers University in 1963. Burgy taught in public schools throughout New England before beginning his tenure at the Massachusetts College of Art in 1971 until 2001. He taught as a part of the SIM program. His artwork is largely conceptual, drawing on neurology, cosmology, and Paleolithic Art.

Extent

14 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

Custodial History

From the Studio for Interrelated Media storage closet, Summer 2019.
Title
Studio for Interrelated Media Collection, 1970-1984
Status
In Progress
Author
Emily Zurek, William Keeler and Danielle Sangalang
Date
December 2019 ; last updated March 2020
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Massachusetts College of Art and Design Archive Repository