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György Kepes papers

 Collection
Identifier: MC-0773

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

The collection boxes contain correspondence between Kepes, who edited the Vision and Value series, and the various contributors, as well as the publishers. The papers also contain ephemera, publicity materials, drafts of essay contributions, and Kepes’ notes for the volumes. Some materials in the collection reference a planned but unpublished volume, The Art of Participation.

Dates

  • Creation: 1963 - 1972

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Materials in this collection are open unless they are marked as restricted.

Conditions Governing Use

Access to collections in the Department of Distinctive Collections is not authorization to publish. Please see the MIT Libraries Permissions Policy for permission information. Copyright of some items in this collection may be held by respective creators, not by the donor of the collection or MIT.

Historical note

György Kepes’ seven-anthology set was a groundbreaking compilation of essays from artists, designers, architects, and scientists exploring new directions in education, art, science, visual design, and visual communications. The published volumes include:

• Education of Vision, 1965 • Structure in Art and in Science, 1965 • The Nature and Art of Motion, 1965 • Module Proportion Symmetry Rhythm, 1966 • The Man-Made Object, 1966 • Sign Image Symbol, 1966 • Arts of the Environment, 1972

Contributors included, among others, Rudolf Arnheim, Saul Bass, Max Bill, Marcel Breuer, John Cage, R. Buckminster Fuller, Karl Gerstner, Johannes Itten, Marshall McLuhan, and Paul Rand.

Extent

2.08 Cubic Feet

Language of Materials

English

German

Abstract

The György Kepes papers is a collection of materials pertaining to the publication of Kepes's Arts and the Environment volume from the Vision and Value series.

Arrangement

The materials have been kept in their original order.

Physical Location

Materials are stored off-site. Advance notice is required for use.

Custodial History

Materials were originally held in the Archive at the Art, Culture, and Technology program at MIT and were transferred to Distinctive Collections in January 2023.

Processing Information note

Some collection descriptions are based on legacy data and may be incomplete or contain inaccuracies. Description may change pending verification. Please contact the MIT Department of Distinctive Collections if you notice any errors or discrepancies.

Title
Preliminary inventory to the György Kepes papers
Status
Unprocessed
Author
Jeremy Grubman
Date
2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Revision Statements

  • February 2023: Thera Webb removed aggrandizing language from finding aid.

Repository Details

Part of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Libraries. Department of Distinctive Collections Repository

Contact:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Libraries
Building 14N-118
77 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge MA 02139-4307 US