Smithsonian Press Release entitled, "Works of 6 Artists Will Be Exhibited in the U.S. Pavilion at Venice Biennale," page 1. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 454, National Museum of American Art, Office of Public Affairs, Publicity Records, 1967-1975, 1982, 1986. Image No. SIA2017-048185.

Highlighting Diane Arbus: "A box of ten photographs"

On April 6, 2018, the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) will premiere a new exhibition entitled A box of ten photographs, which will celebrate the renowned photographer Diane Arbus.
March 29, 2018, by Alison Reppert Gerber

Opening on April 6, 2018, A box of ten photographs highlights the portfolio of Diane Arbus, an American photographer known for her black-and-white images of marginalized individuals, including the mentally ill, circus performers, and transgender people. The exhibition, at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) until January 21, 2019, traces the history of Arbus's posthumous career after her death in 1971, which includes becoming the first photographer to be featured in Artforum, a monthly magazine founded in 1962 that focuses on contemporary arts. In 1972, Arbus also became the first photographer to be included in the Venice Biennale, the most distinguished international showcase of the time period.

The Smithsonian Institution Archives' collections are featured in A box of ten photographs and include invitations to several Venice Biennale events, letters discussing the inclusion of Arbus's work in the showcase, and an exhibition poster for the 36th Venice Biennale. Enjoy the sneak peek of our collections and be sure to visit SAAM before January 21st to see the exhibition!

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Scan of a full page letter from Joshua C. Taylor to Walter Hopps

Letter from Joshua C. Taylor, Director of the National Collection of Fine Arts, to Walter Hopps, Director of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, dated March 10, 1972. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 322, National Museum of American Art, Office of the Director, Records, 1970-1983. Image No. SIA2017-048195.

Scan of a full page letter from Pamela Warden to Doon Arbus

Letter from Pamela Worden, Assistant to the Director of the U.S. Exhibition, to Doon Arbus, dated April 28, 1972. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 321, National Museum of American Art, Office of Program Support, Records, 1947-1981. Image No. SIA2017-048192.

Scan of the front of an invitation, a block of blue sans serif text in English is centered in the pa

Invitation to an Open House at The American Pavilion, June 9, 1972. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 322, National Museum of American Art, Office of the Director, Records, 1970-1983. Image No. SIA2017-048196.

Scan of the front of an invitation, featuring a red "36" logo at the bottom of the page, and two sma

Invitation to the 36th Venice Biennale, June 7-9, 1972, front cover. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 322, National Museum of American Art, Office of the Director, Records, 1970-1983. Image No. SIA2017-048200.

Scan of the back an invitation, a block of black text in Italian is in the bottom right of the page

Invitation to the 36th Venice Biennale, June 7-9, 1972, inside. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 322, National Museum of American Art, Office of the Director, Records, 1970-1983. Image No. SIA2017-048201.

Scan of the front of an invitation, featuring a blue "36" logo at the bottom of the page, and two sm

Invitation to the Inaugural Ceremony of the XXXVI Venice Biennale, June 11, 1972, front cover. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 322, National Museum of American Art, Office of the Director, Records, 1970-1983. Image No. SIA2017-048197.

Scan of the back an invitation, a block of black text in Italian is in the bottom right of the page

Invitation to the Inaugural Ceremony of the XXXVI Venice Biennale, June 11, 1972, inside. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 322, National Museum of American Art, Office of the Director, Records, 1970-1983. Image No. SIA2017-048198.

Scan of a poster, with red white and blue geometric shapes, large text in the corner reads "usa in v

XXXVI Venice Biennale Tour Poster, 1972. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 321, National Museum of American Art, Office of Program Support, Records, 1947-1981. Image No. SIA2017-048410.

Scan of a full page press release, containing the old Owl Smithsonian logo in the upper left corner.

Smithsonian Press Release entitled, "Works of 6 Artists Will Be Exhibited in the U.S. Pavilion at Venice Biennale," page 1. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 454, National Museum of American Art, Office of Public Affairs, Publicity Records, 1967-1975, 1982, 1986. Image No. SIA2017-048185.

Scan of a press release, containing a brief biography of Arbus, and selected exhibitions, written in

Smithsonian Press Release entitled, "Works of 6 Artists Will Be Exhibited in the U.S. Pavilion at Venice Biennale," page 3. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 454, National Museum of American Art, Office of Public Affairs, Publicity Records, 1967-1975, 1982, 1986. Image No. SIA2017-048187.

Collage of two color photos stacked 2 X 1, both are of a gallery with white walls, hanging in a sing

XXXVI Venice Biennale installation photo from Hamburg, 1972. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 321, National Museum of American Art, Office of Program Support, Records, 1947-1981. Image No. SIA2017-048193.

Color photo of a gallery with white walls, hanging in a single row across the walls are photographs.

XXXVI Venice Biennale installation photo, 1972. Credit: Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 321, National Museum of American Art, Office of Program Support, Records, 1947-1981. Image No. SIA2017-048194.

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