Parasite Archive
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Abstract
Parasite was an artist-run organization, primarily active between the years 1997 to 1998, that was committed to supporting, documenting, and presenting project-based artwork. The Archive includes administrative records, articles, books, correspondence, ephemera, photography, promotional materials, objects, and audiovisual elements.
Historical Note
Parasite was an artist-run organization that was committed to supporting, documenting, and presenting project-based artwork. Primarily active between the years 1997 - 1998, Parasite aimed to establish a discursive context for project work and related issues. As a secondary (or para) site for projects undertaken at other locations, Parasite aspired to develop this discursive context by a variety of activities undertaken from within "host" organizations. Through these activities, Parasite sought to challenge existing modes of the presentation and distribution of art, and to develop new modes of individual and organizational participation in artists' projects.
Among Parasite's activities were the temporary occupation of existing organizations for the purpose of presenting projects in various stages of development. Presentations, symposia, discussion groups, and other public programs concentrated on issues taken up by particular artists as well as concerns relevant to the field, such as artistic autonomy, censorship, and sponsorship. In addition, Parasite continuously updated the "Parasite Document Collection," which developed into an aquisition of contemporary and historical documents relating to project-based activity, including records of completed projects and, where possible, proposals, contracts, and correspondence.
-- Adapted from The Parasite Mission Statement, 1997 (The Parasite Archive; MSS 333; Box 4; Folder 96; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University Libraries).
Arrangement
Within each series, materials are arranged alphabetically or chronologically where noted.
Series I: Parasite Document Collection preserves a collection of contemporary and historical documents relating to project-based activity. Materials on particular artists and works include documentation of completed projects and, where possible, proposals, contracts, correspondence, and ephemera. These materials are arranged alphabetically by artist, item title, or subject.
Series II: Services: A Working - Group Exhibition includes materials pertaining to Andrea Fraser's project of the same title. These materials are arranged alphabetically by artist, item title, or subject.
Series III: Administrative contains Parasite management records. These materials are arranged alphabetically then chronologically. Subseries A: Parasite Files preserves correspondence between artists and institutions, meeting minutes, and promotional material. These materials are arranged alphabetically, then chronologically.
Subseries B: Ben Kinmont Files consists of records preserved by Parasite treasurer Ben Kinmont. These materials are arranged chronologically.
Series IV: Video recordings includes project recordings from the Parasite Document Collection in addition to Helmet Draxler and Andrea Fraser's "Services." These materials are arranged chronologically. Access Copies may not be available for consultation at this time, please ask a Fales archivist.
Series V: Audio recordings contains recordings of Parasite presentations, symposia, discussion groups, and other public programs of interest. These materials are arranged chronologically. Access Copies may not be available for consultation at this time, please ask a Fales archivist.
Subseries VI: Data Storage preserves computer files stored on disk. This element may not be available for consultation, please ask a Fales archivist.
Scope and Content
The Parasite Archive includes administrative records, articles, correspondence, ephemera, photography, promotional materials, objects, and audiovisual elements. The bulk of the collection is from the Parasite Document Collection, which was a resource of contemporary and historical documents relating to project-based activity, created by the collective during their active years, and is supplemented by administrative records saved by the Collective, and by their treasurer Ben Kinmont.
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Donors
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open to researchers.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright (or related rights to publicity and privacy) for materials in this collection was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder. Please contact the Fales Library and Special Collections, fales.library@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596.
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date (if known); collection name; MSS number; box number; folder number; Fales Library and Special Collections, New York University Libraries.
Location of Materials
Provenance
The Parasite Archive was donated to the Fales Library in 2011 by members of the collective. The bulk of the collection (the Parasite Document Collection, as well as Services Files and some administrative files) had been stored in a filing cabinet created by Parasite as a public resource. The filing cabinet was transferred to Fales from the Shedhalle in Zurich, Switzerland, where it had been shipped as part of a project in the late 1990s. The remainder of the collection was donated directly from Ben Kinmont, who was the group's treasurer.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Access copies for some materials are available by appointment for reading room viewing and listening only. Please contact fales.library@nyu.edu, 212-998-2596.
