Scope and Contents
Series V, THE DINNER PARTY, 1973-1996 (#12.1-26.14, 83.24-83.26, 84.1-85.16, card file boxes 27- 56, 93f, 94f.1v, 98f+.11, 101f+.1m-101+.5m) , contains correspondence, manuscript drafts, material samples, notecards, drawings, grant applications, condition reports, clippings, printed material, etc., relating to The Dinner Party. The Dinner Party, created by Chicago and a team of artists, artisans, and assistants between 1974 and 1979, is a multi-media work of art celebrating the history of women in Western civilization. The work consists of a dining table that is an equilateral triangle measuring 48 feet on each side. At the table are 39 place settings, each representing either a woman or a goddess, and consisting of a china-painted ceramic plate resting on cloth runners executed in a variety of needlework techniques. The table stands on the "heritage floor," which is composed of 2300 hand-cast, lustered porcelain tiles that bear the names of 999 women whose lives and work form the foundation for the achievements of the women represented at the table. Surrounding the exhibit are six woven banners introducing viewers to the intent of The Dinner Party. Additionally, there are photographic panels, including the "heritage panels," which document the women on the "heritage floor" and the techniques used to create the work. After years of traveling around the world, The Dinner Party was permanently housed at the Brooklyn Museum of Art in 2002. The records in this series document the creation of the plates and runners, Chicago's writings about the project, efforts to find exhibition space, specifications for displaying the work, and reactions to The Dinner Party. The series is arranged in four subseries.
Dates
- Creation: 1947-2004
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1957-2004
Language of Materials
Materials in English.
TERMS OF USE
Access. Unrestricted except that for access to folders #81.21-81.24, researchers must obtain written permission from Diane Gelon and Susan Hill. Folder #83.12 is closed until January 1, 2025.
Extent
111.18 linear feet ((54 cartons, 1+1/2 file boxes, 29 card file boxes, 9 folio boxes, 6 folio+ boxes, 2 oversize boxes) plus 1 roll box, 1 supersize folder, 97 photograph folders, 3 folio photograph folders, 5 archived web sites, and electronic records)Repository Details
Part of the Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute Repository
The preeminent research library on the history of women in the United States, the Schlesinger Library documents women's lives from the past and present for the future. In addition to its traditional strengths in the history of feminisms, women’s health, and women’s activism, the Schlesinger collections document the intersectional workings of race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class in American history.