Files
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Contributor
Richard Carlyon
Description
A photocopy of a handwritten letter from Dan Flavin to Richard Carlyon, written on letterhead from the Museum of Modern Art, New York. Flavin shares thoughts after the Arts Festival symposium to be held on March 25, 1966, asks for the rest of his compensation for the event, and invites Carlyon to contact him if he comes to New York. Transcription: "April 6, 1966. Cold Spring, Dear Dick Carlyon, Somehow, before we left Richmond, my wife and I had no opportunity to thank you for receiving us. We are grateful for your kindness in this. Bert Carpenter had much to say to me. He offered and exhibition commission for his new gallery for next February or March. Also, he will purchase diagrams, large installations and perhaps a book of watercolors and poems which is about six years old. After the exhibition, I will teach three dimensional design for the spring semester. I had no idea that the trip to Greensboro would be that talkative and worthwhile. I regret that you fellows, especially Jim Bumgardner told Allan that I was “gunning” for him. You must have received my humor as utterly literal. If you knew me better than you do, you would understand that I have no malice for anyone. Dog fights on stage do not interest me. As you observed at Jewetts’ party, Allan and I can settle differences relatively quickly and by ourselves. By the way, both Dan and I agreed that it would have been unethical and uninteresting to abuse a colleague before a mixed audience. It was apparent that Allan was determined to make a damned fool of himself without comment from either of us. I came to try to commiserate with artists and audience gathered. It angered me to watch the attempt fail for an interminably agonizing dose of quaint, melodramatic, post-Duchampian medicine show “big.” Amen. Dick, I have not received a check for the balance of what is due for my appearance. I have to mention this because we are short of funds because of the expense of the entire trip. If you and your family come to New York look for us. We are only about fifty miles north of the city. Sonja cooks well. (My figure is a living testimonial.) Best wishes and best regards to you and your wife from Sonja and me. Dan Flavin."
Personal Name Subject
Flavin, Dan, 1933-1996; Carlyon, Richard, 1930-2006
Corporate Name Subject
Richmond Professional Institute
Topical Subject
Arts festivals; Performing arts festivals; Art, American -- 20th century -- History; Sculpture; Light art; Installations (Art); Minimal art
City/Location
Richmond (Va.)
Genre
correspondence
Local Genre
text
Type
Text
Digital Format
application/pdf
Language
eng
Rights Statement URL
Rights
This material is protected by copyright, and copyright is held by VCU. You are permitted to use this material in any way that is permitted by copyright. In addition, this material is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International license (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0). Acknowledgment of Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries as a source is required.
Collection
Bang Arts Festival, Richmond Professional Institute, 1964-1967
Source
Letter from Dan Flavin to Richard Carlyon, 1966 April 6, Richard Carlyon Papers, Accession 2016.07.150, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University.
File Name
M442_b01_i023.pdf