The Helen DeMott papers were a bequest to the Archives of American Art in 2003 by James Goldiner, executive for the estate of Helen DeMott.
Videotapes in the collection were digitized in September 2009 and are available upon request from the Archives of American Art.
In 2003, the collection was accessioned and books were cataloged and removed. The papers were processed to a preliminary level and described by Justin Brancato in September 2006. In November 2009, the collection was minimally processed and further described by Sarah Haug.
Helen DeMott papers, 1896-1997. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
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Helen DeMott (1920-1997) was a New York City based painter and poet and well-known East Village community activist.
In the 1940s, DeMott attended the National Academy of Design and Art Students League. In the late 1960s, DeMott began focusing her work on the scientific study of waves, specifically the structure of water wave surfaces, a theme that remained in her work for the rest of her career. In 1974-1975, DeMott completed two building murals of water wave structures in New York City:
The papers of painter Helen DeMott measure 7.9 linear feet and date from 1896-1997. DeMott's painting career from 1940-1996 is documented through her numerous sketchbooks and original artwork. Also found is biographical material, correspondence, writings and poems, scrapbooks, printed material, photographic material, audio and video recordings, and scattered material from collagist Ray Johnson.
The scattered biographical material contains official documents, DeMott's resume, circulars and receipts from the Art School of the National Academy of Design, and two obituaries. Correspondence includes letters from publishers regarding DeMott's book proposal "Geography into Landscape," correspondence with universities and scientific institutions regarding her Wave series, and personal correspondence including letters from photographer, filmmaker, and painter Rudy Burckhardt, writer Alfred Chester, painter Clifford Wright, and collagist Edith Schloss.
The bulk of the writings is DeMott's poetry, as well as some artist's statements, loose notes, a speech, travel diaries, and handwritten, typed, and edited manuscripts, including a typed manuscript of "Geography into Landscape." Writings by others include poetry by Celia Bland, Miriam Finkelstein, and Marie Ponsot. Scrapbooks document DeMott's research and artwork related to waves and includes clippings, photographs of artwork, sketches and notations, and typed notes on painting waves. Printed material includes magazine and newspaper articles about Helen DeMott and various other artists, and many articles related to water waves.
Photographic material includes black and white photographs of DeMott's artwork and personal photographs. Of interest is a 1943 photograph of a group at the Art Students League which includes Ester Rolick, Edith Schloss, Max Eastman, and Helen DeMott. Also found are slides and transparencies of artwork and slides for lectures on waves. Audiovisual Recordings include one reel-to-reel tape and five videotapes, some related to DeMott's study of waves.
There is one folder of material from collagist Ray Johnson containing scattered letters and mail art, exhibition fliers, and collages. Measuring 4.2 linear feet, the bulk of DeMott's papers are sketchbooks and original artwork spanning her artistic career. There are numerous loose sketches, notes, sketchbooks, holiday cards, watercolors, and oversized drawings in pencil, ink, and oil pastels, much of which is related to waves. Original artwork by others includes Esther Rolick and Edith Schloss.
The collection is arranged into 9 series:
Biographical material contains official documents, DeMott's resume, circulars and receipts from the Art School of the National Academy of Design, and two obituaries.
Folders are arranged alphabetically by subject.
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 1.
Oversized material from Box 1, Folder 3.
Both business and personal correspondence are found in this series. Business correspondence includes correspondence with publishers regarding DeMott's book proposal "Geography into Landscape," with universities and scientific institutions regarding the Wave series, with galleries, museums, art programs and foundations, and correspondence regarding her various committee and community activities. Much of the personal correspondence is from friends living or traveling outside of the United States; many address DeMott with familiarity and fondness, using the salutation, "Ho!" Among the correspondents are photographer, filmmaker, and painter Rudy Burckhardt, writer Alfred Chester, painter Clifford Wright, and collagist Edith Schloss. There is also a large quantity of personal postcards.
Folders are arranged alphabetically by type of correspondence, then by subject. Undated correspondence is filed at the back of each folder.
The bulk of the material found in this series is poetry written by DeMott in notebooks and on loose paper. Also found are artist's statements, loose notes, a speech, travel diaries, and handwritten, typed, and edited manuscripts, including a typed manuscript of "Geography into Landscape." Writings by others includes music scores and essays, but the bulk of the material is poetry by Celia Bland, Miriam Finkelstein, Marie Ponsot, and others.
Writings by Helen DeMott are filed before writings by others. Folders are then arranged alphabetically by subject or title.
Contains original artwork.
Scrapbooks related to DeMott's Waves series includes clippings, photographs of artwork, sketches and notations, and typed notes on painting waves. Much of the material is photocopied.
Folders are arranged chronologically.
Printed material includes magazine and newspaper articles about DeMott, various other artists, and scientific articles related to water waves. Also found are clippings of images, exhibition announcements, a sign, and a poster. Many articles are photocopies.
Folders are arranged alphabetically by type of material.
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 2.
Oversized material from Box 3, Folder 17.
Photographic material includes black and white photographs of DeMott's artwork and personal photographs. Most of the artwork photographs are taken by Rudulph (Rudy) Burckhardt and have notations on the back with dimensions, title, date of creation, and ownership information. Personal photographs are mostly snapshots of unidentified persons in New York and Italy, circa 1920s-1930s, and DeMott and others with dogs, circa 1960s-1990s. Also found are slides of artwork, slides for lectures on waves, notes on slides, and transparencies of artwork.
Folders are arranged alphabetically by type of material, then by subject.
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 3.
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 4.
Oversized photographs from Box 3, Folder 23.
Personal, "Fun for Funds," Art Students League
Oversized photograph from Box 3, Folders 24-30.
Found is one sound tape reel (1/4 in. tape) of a music recording and two video recordings on five videoreels (1/2 in. tape), including "Chorda," a dance performance, and multiple copies of DeMott's "Wave Notes."
Folders are arranged alphabetically by type of material, then by title.
All of the video recordings have been digitized for research access.
Original videoreel and three duplicate videoreels.
Found is one folder of scattered letters, mail art, exhibition fliers, and collages by collagist Ray Johnson.
The bulk of the material found are sketchbooks from 1941-1996 and DeMott's original artwork related to water waves. The sketchbooks primarily contain pencil and ink drawings; many also include notes on and sketches of waves. Also found are numerous loose sketches and notes, holiday cards, watercolors, and oversized drawings in pencil, ink, and oil pastels. Original artwork by others include Esther Rolick and Edith Schloss.
Folders are arranged alphabetically by type of material.
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folders 6-9 and OV 13.
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folders 10-11.
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 12.
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 13.
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 14, and OV 13.
Oversized material housed in OV 13.
Oversized material housed in Box 9, Folder 15, and OV 10-12.
Oversized material from Box 4, Folders 12-14.
Oversized material from Box 4, Folders 12-14.
Oversized material from Box 4, Folders 12-14.
Oversized material from Box 4, Folders 12-14.
Oversized material from Box 4, Folder 15.
Oversized material from Box 4, Folder 17.
Oversized material from Box 4, Folder 19.
Oversized material from Box 5, Folder 1.
Oversized material from Box 8, Folders 1-3.
Oversized material from Box 8, Folders 1-3.
Oversized material from Box 8, Folders 1-3.
Oversized material from Box 8, Folders 1-3.
Oversized material from Box 4, Folders 12-14.
Oversized material from Box 5, Folder 1.
Oversized material from Box 7, Folder 10.