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Fogg Art Museum Scrapbook, May 1973-March 1978

ARCH.2003.39, Rendition: 806669

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This image displays page three of The Harvard Crimson, dated May 21, 1975. The page is dominated by a feature article titled “Emerging From The Fogg”, with the subtitle “Seymour Slive Confronts the Space Crisis” by Edmond Horsey.

The article focuses on Seymour Slive, the director of Harvard’s Fogg Art Museum, and the critical space and storage issues confronting the museum. Slive is quoted describing the situation as a “private affair... between the individual and the work of art” that is being “threatened.”

The page contains two prominent black-and-white photographs:

  1. Top right: A portrait of Seymour Slive standing in a large, empty, and somewhat dilapidated gallery space, gazing thoughtfully into the distance. The room shows exposed beams and unfinished walls, visually underscoring the “space crisis” mentioned in the headline.
  2. Bottom center: A view of an art storeroom or archive, filled with numerous large, wrapped artworks stacked on shelves and racks. This image illustrates the museum’s severe overcrowding problem. The caption identifies the image as "Crimson Photo: D. Sweeney."

The article details the museum’s challenges: its buildings are overcrowded and aging, with 90% of its 50,000 prints and 5,000 drawings in storage; its physical facilities have not been updated since 1972; and a planned “rehabilitation” was canceled, forcing the museum to move its study of original works of art department into a borrowed space in the basement.

The tone of the article is one of serious concern, quoting museum officials who lament the overcrowding and state that the crisis is “not a crisis about art, but a conflict between the museum and the [physical] space.” Slive acknowledges the problems but insists that “the Fogg is a great museum” and that “the people in this museum” are the true treasure. He is quoted saying, “Fogg doesn’t really have to worry about the strength of the Fogg’s collection,” highlighting the human element and the museum’s academic mission over its physical constraints.

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The image appears to be a page from a newspaper or publication titled "The Harvard Crimson." The date is May 21, 1975, and it is labeled as "Page Three." The main headline reads "Emerging From The Fogg" and discusses Seymour Slive, who is described as facing the "Space Crisis" at the Fogg Art Museum. The article is written by Edmond Horsey and is about the challenges the museum faces due to overcrowding and the need for better space management and climate control systems.

The page contains several images, including a long hallway filled with framed artworks, a portrait of Seymour Slive, and a storage crate labeled "Fragile Works of Art Keep Dry." There is also a black-and-white image of a crucifix, which may be part of the museum's collection. The text discusses the efforts of the museum's new director, Seymour Slive, to address the space and climatic issues at the Fogg Art Museum, and it mentions other museum staff members, such as Louise Cort and Jill Brennan, who also have opinions on the challenges faced by the museum.

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This image is a newspaper page from The Harvard Crimson dated May 21, 1975. The article is titled "Emerging From The Fogg" and is written by Edmond Horsey. The main focus of the article is Seymour Slive and his efforts to confront the space crisis at the Fogg Museum.

The page features several photographs:

  1. A black-and-white photo of a long hallway lined with framed artworks.
  2. A portrait of a man, presumably Seymour Slive, with a caption that reads, "‘It’s a private affair this encounter between the individual and the work of art,’ says Slive, and it is an affair that is being threatened."
  3. A photo of a wooden crate labeled "FRAGILE WORKS OF ART KEEP DRY."
  4. A photograph of a painting depicting a figure with arms outstretched.

The article discusses the challenges faced by the Fogg Museum, including overcrowded galleries, inadequate storage space, and the need for climate control systems. It also mentions the resignation of Daniel Robbins as the museum's director and the efforts of the new director, Seymour Slive, to address these issues. The article highlights the unique role of the Fogg Museum in teaching and the importance of balancing the needs of the museum with those of the Fine Arts department.

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The image depicts a page from "The Harvard Crimson," a student newspaper, dated May 21, 1974. The page is divided into three sections, each with distinct content and images.

Section 1: "Emerging From The Fogg"

  • Headline: "Emerging From The Fogg"
  • Subheadline: "Seymour Slive Confronts the Space Crisis"
  • Main Image: A photograph of a hallway filled with framed artworks, suggesting an art gallery or museum setting. The hallway is long, with artwork hanging on both sides, and there is a sense of depth and space.
  • Text: The article discusses the challenges faced by the Fogg Art Museum, specifically focusing on space constraints and the efforts of Seymour Slive, the museum's director, to address these issues. The text highlights the museum's efforts to expand and improve its facilities.

Section 2: Portrait of Seymour Slive

  • Image: A black-and-white portrait of Seymour Slive, dressed formally in a suit and tie, with a serious expression. The portrait is positioned to the right of the main article.
  • Text: The text accompanying the portrait provides additional context about Seymour Slive's role and his approach to managing the museum. It emphasizes his dedication to the museum's mission and his efforts to navigate the space crisis.

Section 3: "Works of Art Keep"

  • Headline: "Works of Art Keep"
  • Main Image: A photograph of a storage area filled with boxes labeled "Works of Art Keep." The boxes are stacked neatly, indicating a storage or archival space.
  • Text: This section discusses the storage and preservation of artworks within the museum. It highlights the importance of proper storage conditions to protect the artworks and the challenges faced in maintaining adequate storage space.

Analysis:

The page from "The Harvard Crimson" provides a comprehensive look at the operational challenges faced by the Fogg Art Museum during the 1970s, particularly focusing on space constraints and the efforts of its director, Seymour Slive, to address these issues. The images and text work together to convey the gravity of the situation and the museum's commitment to preserving its collection despite limited space.

Answer to the Question:

The primary focus of the article is on the space crisis at the Fogg Art Museum and the efforts of Seymour Slive to confront and resolve this issue. The article highlights the challenges of storing and displaying artworks in a limited space and the museum's ongoing efforts to expand and improve its facilities.

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This image is a page from a newspaper, dated May 21, 1974, and it features an article titled "Emerging From The Fogg" by Edmond Horsley. The article discusses the challenges faced by the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, particularly in terms of space and storage issues. The article includes quotes from Seymour Slive, the director of the Fogg, who describes the museum as "desperately over-crowded" and emphasizes the need for more space to protect and display the artworks. The article also mentions the potential closure of the museum and the conflict between the Fine Arts department and the museum staff.

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The image is a scanned page from The Harvard Crimson, dated May 21, 1975, and located on Page Three. The page features an article titled "Emerging From The Fogg", subtitled "Seymour Slive Confronts the Space Crisis", written by Edmond Hersey.

Visual Elements:

Top Section:

  • Headline: "Emerging From The Fogg" is prominently displayed at the top in large, bold text.
  • Subheading: "Seymour Slive Confronts the Space Crisis" is placed directly below the main headline, indicating the article's focus.
  • Author Credit: The byline reads "By Edmond Hersey" beneath the subheading.

Main Article Content:

  • The article discusses the challenges faced by the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University, particularly concerning space limitations and the curatorial approach under Seymour Slive, the museum's director.
  • The text highlights issues such as:
    • The Fogg's overcrowded galleries and the need to rethink the museum's structure.
    • The conflict between traditional and contemporary art and how Slive is navigating this tension.
    • Slive's vision for the museum, including the idea of transforming it into a teaching laboratory rather than a static repository of art.
    • Criticism from some faculty and staff regarding Slive's approach, particularly his emphasis on contemporary art and reorganization of collections.
    • Slive's defense of his methods, emphasizing the need to adapt to changing times and engage with modern art.

Photographs:

  1. Left Column:

    • A black-and-white photograph of an art gallery interior, showing framed artworks hanging on the walls. The gallery appears crowded, with multiple pieces displayed in close proximity, illustrating the space crisis mentioned in the article.
    • Below the gallery photo, there is a smaller image labeled "WORKS OF ART KEEP OUT", showing a closed-off area with a sign indicating restricted access. This visually reinforces the theme of limited space and controlled access within the museum.
  2. Right Column:

    • A black-and-white photograph of Seymour Slive, the museum's director. He is shown in a formal pose, wearing a suit and tie, suggesting his authority and leadership role within the institution.
    • Next to Slive's photo, there is a caption that reads:

      "It's a private affair this encounter between the individual and the work of art, says Slive, and it is an affair that is being threatened."
      This quote emphasizes Slive's concern about the threat to the intimate experience of art due to the museum's spatial constraints and organizational changes.

Additional Text:

  • The article includes quotes from various individuals, such as John Rosenfeld, chairman of the art department, and Slive himself, providing multiple perspectives on the museum's challenges and Slive's approach.
  • The text also references historical context, mentioning the Rosenfeld Fund, which supported the museum's early acquisitions, and Slive's efforts to modernize the institution.

Overall Theme:

The page captures a moment of transition at the Fogg Art Museum, highlighting the tension between tradition and modernity, the struggle for space, and the vision of Seymour Slive to reshape the museum into a dynamic, educational institution. The accompanying photographs—of the crowded gallery, the restricted area, and Slive himself—visually reinforce the article's themes of constraint, change, and leadership.

This page provides a snapshot of the cultural and institutional debates surrounding museum practices in the mid-1970s, particularly at a prestigious institution like Harvard's Fogg Art Museum.

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The image is a newspaper clipping from The Harvard Crimson, dated May 21, 1975. The article, titled "Emerging From The Fogg," features a subheading that reads, "Seymour Slive Confronts the Space Crisis."

The article is accompanied by three photographs: one of a hallway with paintings on the walls, another of a man in a suit, and a third of a person hanging from a rope in front of an arched doorway. The text discusses the challenges faced by the Fogg Museum, including space constraints and the need for renovation. The article highlights the efforts of Seymour Slive, the museum's director, to address these issues and ensure the museum's continued success.

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The image depicts a page from The Harvard Crimson newspaper, dated May 21, 1974, featuring an article titled "Emerging From The Fogg" and a subheading "Seymour Slive Confronts the Space Crisis".

The article is written by Edmond Horsey and includes a photograph of the Fogg Art Museum's interior, showcasing a hallway with framed artworks on the walls. Additionally, there are three smaller photographs: one of a sculpture, another of a painting, and a third of a man, likely Seymour Slive, who is mentioned in the article.

The article discusses the challenges faced by the Fogg Art Museum, including the need for more space to accommodate its growing collection. It also highlights the efforts of Seymour Slive, the museum's director, to address these issues.

Overall, the image provides a glimpse into the history of the Fogg Art Museum and its struggles to adapt to changing circumstances.

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The image is a scanned page from "The Harvard Crimson" newspaper, dated May 21, 1975.

Page Layout and Content

The page is divided into sections, featuring an article titled "Emerging From The Fogg" with the subtitle "Seymour Slive Confronts the Space Crisis." The article is written by Edmond Horsey and includes four black-and-white photographs.

Photographs

The photographs depict various scenes related to the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University:

  • A long hallway with numerous framed artworks on display
  • A portrait of Seymour Slive, likely the subject of the article
  • A sculpture or artwork in a storage area, labeled "Men at Work"
  • A statue of a man in a dynamic pose, possibly a reproduction of a famous artwork

Article and Context

The article discusses the challenges faced by the Fogg Art Museum, particularly regarding space constraints and the need for reorganization. The tone is informative, providing insight into the museum's operations and the efforts of its director, Seymour Slive, to address the issues. The overall design and layout of the page are typical of a newspaper from the 1970s, with a formal tone and a focus on conveying information to readers.

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The image shows a scanned copy of a newspaper article from The Harvard Crimson, dated May 21, 1975. The article is titled "Emerging From The Fogg" and subtitled "Seymour Slive Confronts the Space Crisis."

Article Layout:

  • The article is divided into several columns with a large headline on the left side.
  • A photograph of a long hallway with framed artwork on the walls is situated at the top right.
  • A headshot of an older man, presumably Seymour Slive, appears at the top right.
  • Two smaller photographs are placed below: one of an art installation and another of a sculpture.

Article Content:

The article discusses the challenges faced by Seymour Slive, the director of the Fogg Museum, in managing the museum's space and collection. The text is written in a formal tone and includes quotes from Slive and other individuals involved in the museum.

Visual Elements:

  • The photographs add visual interest to the article and help to illustrate the points being made about the museum's collection and space crisis.
  • The use of black and white images gives the article a nostalgic feel.

Overall:

The article provides insight into the challenges faced by the Fogg Museum in the 1970s and the efforts of Seymour Slive to address these issues. The inclusion of photographs adds depth and visual interest to the article.