Series II. Photographs, Negatives, Contact Prints, and Slides, 1983-2006 (bulk, 1983-1988), inclusive
Extent
Scope and Contents Note
Series II makes up the bulk of this collection. It consists of black & white and color negatives, contact prints, black & white and color photographs, and color slides.
There are images of steel workers restoring the Brooklyn Bridge and of the New York City skyline taken from a high vantage point on the bridge as Dogancay was known to climb as the workers did.
There are numerous images that display the iron workers climbing the iron skeletons of buildings, often without wearing a harness. Iron workers are also shown in their downtime on a break or eating lunch.
The Lipstick Building (885 Third Avenue in Manhattan) is a highlight of this series. There are images of the demolition of previous structures, the rebuilding of the foundation, the various stages of construction (especially of the iron skeleton) from within the structure as well as from many different viewpoints from surrounding streets and buildings. Images of the completed Lipstick Building are also included. The Citicorp Building (also known as Citicorp Center or as 601 Lexington Avenue) is also a highlight of this series; because of its proximity to the Lipstick Building it is found in a great deal of images.
Construction images that did not include these two buildings were also taken in the general Midtown Manhattan area, except for some images toward the end of the series that were taken in France. Also at the end of the series there are larger photographs of similar subject matter found throughout this series.
Many of the binders that the work was originally organized in were labeled 'Iron Workers' on the outside while inside of the binders many of the sleeves of negatives had 'steel workers' written on them. It is uncertain if the terms 'iron workers' and 'steel workers' were purposely being distinguished or if they were used interchangeably. When not specifically documented as 'iron workers' or 'steel workers', they are referred to as workers in the following Scope and Contents Notes. In some cases these workers are general construction workers, but it is likely that many of the unlabeled workers are iron workers or steel workers.
Arrangement Note
The majority of this series came to N-YHS in binders and that arrangement and order was kept intact. The last four entries in this series on the Container List came in various boxes and folders, but their groupings were also kept together to reflect the original organization.
Binder #1, 1983-1986
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #1 was labeled: Lipstick Bldg; Citicorp.
Additional subject matter includes: demolition, construction, steel workers, cranes, 53rd St. & 3rd Ave., 53rd St. & Lexington Ave., and 57th St. & Lexington Ave.
Contains 35mm black & white negatives with corresponding contact prints.
Binder #2 (3 folders), 1985-1987
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #2 was labeled: Iron Workers.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, and Brooklyn Bridge.
Contains 8 x 10 inch color prints, 8 x 10 inch & smaller silver gelatin prints, 4 x 5 inch black & white negatives, 1 color negative, and color slides.
Binder #3 (2 folders), 1986-1999 (bulk, 1986-1988)
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #3 was labeled: Brooklyn Bridge.
Additional subject matter includes: steel workers, NYC skyline, World Trade Center, Twin Towers, and Brooklyn Bridge cables.
Contains 35mm black & white negatives with corresponding contact prints, 2-1/4 x 2-1/4 inch color and black & white negatives, and color slides.
Binder #4 (3 folders), 1986-1987
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #4 was labeled: Brooklyn Bridge; Iron Workers.
Additional subject matter includes: Brooklyn Bridge in the snow, Brooklyn Bridge cables, NYC skyline, World Trade Center, Twin Towers.
Contains 35mm black & white negatives with corresponding contact prints, 4 x 5 inch black & white negatives, and 8 x 10 inch silver gelatin prints.
Binder #5 (3 folders), 1983-1986
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #5 was labeled: 57th @ Lexington Ave.; 53rd @ Lexington Ave.; 44th @ Lexington Ave.; 58th @ Madison Ave.; 44th @ Madison Ave.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, demolition, cranes, and steel workers.
Contains 35mm black & white negatives with corresponding contact prints.
Citicorp Etc.; Lipstick Bldg (3 folders), 1980s?
Scope and Contents Note
The binder was labeled Citicorp Etc.; Lipstick Bldg.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, demolition, cranes, iron workers, and construction workers.
Contains 8 x 10 inch & smaller silver gelatin prints and 1 8 x 10 inch color print.
New York (2 folders), 1984-1988
Scope and Contents Note
The Binder was labeled: New York; Demolition; Foundations; Lipstick Bldg.; Lexington Ave. Bldg.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, construction workers, cranes, 52nd St. & 53rd St. and Lexington Ave., 53rd St. & 3rd Ave., 57th St. & Lexington Ave., 54th St. & 2nd Ave., and 49th St. & 8th Ave.
Contains 35mm black & white negatives with corresponding contact prints, color slides, and 2-1/4 x 2-1/4 color transparency film.
Iron Workers; Lipstick Bldg (2 folders), 1985-2002 (bulk, 1985-1986)
Scope and Contents Note
The Binder was labeled: Iron Workers; Lipstick Bldg.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, hard hats, climbing, 58th St. & 59th St. and 3rd Ave.
Contains color slides.
Binder #1 (2 folders), 1985-1987
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #1 was labeled: Iron Workers; 53rd @ 3rd; 135 E 57th St.; 650 Madison Ave.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, steel workers, Lipstick Building, 44th St. & Lexington Ave., and the Chrysler Building.
Contains 35mm black & white negatives with corresponding contact prints.
Binder #2 (3 folders), 1985-1988
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #2 was labeled: Iron Workers; 53rd @ 3rd; 135 E 57th St.; 650 Madison Ave.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, steel workers, Lipstick Building, 58th St. & Madison Ave., 54th St. & Madison Ave., 57th St. & Lexington Ave., 53rd St. & Lexington Ave., 49th St. & 8th Ave., 44th St. & Madison Ave., 44th St. & Lexington Ave., and the Chrysler Building.
Contains 35mm black & white negatives with corresponding contact prints.
Binder #3 (2 folders), 1985-1999 (bulk, 1985-1987)
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #3 was labeled: Iron Workers; 53rd @ 3rd; 135 E 57th St.; 650 Madison Ave.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, steel workers, Lipstick Building, 53rd St. & Lexington Ave., 58th St. & Madison Ave., 57th St. & Lexington Ave., 49th St. & 8th Ave., 44th St. & Lexington Ave., and the Chrysler Building.
Contains 35mm black & white negatives with corresponding contact prints.
Binder #4 (2 folders), 1984-1987
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #4 was labeled: Iron Workers; 53rd @ 3rd; 135 E 57th St.; 650 Madison Ave.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, steel workers, Lipstick Building, 58th St. & Madison Ave., 57th St. & Lexington Ave., 53rd St. & Lexington Ave., 49th St. & 8th Ave., 44th St. & Madison Ave., 54th St. & Madison Ave., 44th St. & Lexington Ave., and the Chrysler Building.
Contains 35mm black & white negatives with corresponding contact prints.
Binder #5 (3 folders), 1984-1989 (bulk, 1984-1987)
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #5 was labeled: Iron Workers; 53rd @ 3rd; 135 E 57th St.; 650 Madison Ave.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, steel workers, Lipstick Building, 54th St. & 2nd Ave., 52nd St. & 53rd St. and Lexington Ave.
Contains 35mm black & white negatives with corresponding contact prints.
Binder #6 (2 folders), 1983-1987
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #6 was labeled: Lexington @ 53 ST.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, demolition, cranes, workers, Lipstick Building, 54th St. & 2nd Ave., and 52nd St. & Lexington Ave.
Contains color slides.
Binder #7 (3 folders), 1984-2002 (bulk, 1984-1988)
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #7 was labeled: Iron Workers; Lipstick Bldg; Best.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, 53rd @ 3rd, Brooklyn Bridge, 137 East 57th St., 650 Madison Ave., 52nd St. & Lexington Ave, and the Chrysler Building.
Contains (17) 4 x 5 inch color negatives, (1) 4 x 5 inch black & white negative, (2) 8 x 10 inch silver gelatin prints, (5) 8 x 10 inch color prints, and color slides.
Binder #8 (2 folders), 1983-1986
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #8 was labeled: Lipstick Bldg (53rd @ 3rd Ave).
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, demolition, workers, and 54th Street.
Contains color slides.
Binder #9 (2 folders), 1985
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #9 was labeled: Lipstick Bldg.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, 53rd @ 3rd, and workers.
Contains color slides.
Binder #10 (2 folders), 1985-1990 (bulk, 1985)
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #10 was labeled: Lipstick Bldg.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, scaffolding, and 53rd @ 3rd. Most of the images from this binder are views of the outside of the Lipstick Building from different views.
Contains color slides.
Binder #11 (2 folders), 1985
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #11 was labeled: Lipstick Bldg.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, and 53rd @ 3rd. Most of the images from this binder are views of the outside of the Lipstick Building from different views.
Contains color slides.
Binder #12 (2 folders), 1984-1986
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #12 was labeled: Lipstick Bldg.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, scaffolding, and 53rd @ 3rd. There are images from this binder which show the final stages of the construction of the Lipstick Building.
Contains color slides.
Binder #13 (2 folders), 1984-1987 (bulk, 1984-1985)
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #13 was labeled: Citicorp Bldg.
Additional subject matter includes: construction, cranes, and workers. The images from this binder are not of the construction of the Citicorp Building, rather the Citicorp Building is in the background of construction for a building adjacent to it.
Contains (4) 8 x 10 inch silver gelatin prints and color slides.
Binder #14 (2 folders), 1985
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #14 was labeled: Crane.
Additional subject matter includes: construction and workers.
Contains color slides.
Binder #15, 1985-2006 (bulk, 1985)
Scope and Contents Note
Binder #15 was labeled: Crane.
Additional subject matter includes: construction and workers.
Contains color slides.
Iron Workers Prints (3 folders), 1983-2006?
Scope and Contents Note
These photographs were originally housed in a Kodak paper box labeled: Iron Workers: Color Prints: excellent.
Additional subject matter includes: cranes, Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge cables, Twin Towers, World Trade Center, NYC skyline, and the Chrysler Building.
Contains 8 x 10 inch silver gelatin and color prints.
Montparnasse, France, 1985, 1989
Scope and Contents Note
These prints were in preparation for work on the exhibition, Tale of Two Cities.
These photographs are of demolition in France and iron workers in New York.
Contains (10) 8 x 10 inch & smaller color prints and (6) 8 x 10 inch & smaller silver gelatin prints.
"Foundations: New York - Paris", 1980s?
Scope and Contents Note
The "Foundations: New York - Paris" portfolio contains 11 x 14 silver gelatin prints depicting demolition of foundations of buildings and the early stages of preparing the foundation for new buildings in New York and Paris.
"The Brooklyn Bridge -- 1986" and "Ironworkers -- Manhattan, 1986", 1986, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Portfolio of 37 silver gelatin prints, mostly 11 x 14 inch, with some smaller. Some signed.
Immediate Source of Acquisition:
Gift of Angela Dogançay, May 2019. Added to finding aid in February 2021.
"A Forgotten Hero: The American Iron Worker", 1980s-1990s, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Portfolio of 8x11 inch photographs, several in color.
Immediate Source of Acquisition:
Gift of Angela Dogançay, May 2019. Added to finding aid in February 2021.
Binder content: "Brooklyn Bridge -- JFK" (Brooklyn Bridge As Never Seen Before) (3 folders), 1997-1999, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Primarily includes photographs (prints, negatives, slides, contact sheets)and other material related to the exhibition of Dogancay's Brooklyn Bridge work at the JFK International Arrivals Terminal in 1999. Other material includes correspondence, the original agreement, publicity, photographs of the installation process, and related documents leading to the exhibition. A set of color snapshots are views of the installation and the public. The exhibition was previously installed at the Duggel Gallery and the file includes ephemera related to that location. (The material was removed from its plastic binder for conservation reasons.)
Immediate Source of Acquisition:
Gift of Angela Dogançay, May 2019. Added to finding aid in February 2021.
Miscellaneous Large Prints, 1983-2009?
Scope and Contents Note
2 platinum prints of torn wall posters - "Contra Diction" and "Dough Nation"
13 gelatin silver prints (16 x 20 inches and smaller) - Subject matter includes: Brooklyn Bridge, Brooklyn Bridge cables, iron workers, cranes, and the Chrysler Building.
2 exhibition sketches (1 original and 1 photocopy) - The original includes seven (one of which is missing) cut out black and white photocopies of Dogançay's iron worker photographs pasted to the walls of the exhibition sketch. In the middle of the gallery space there is a color drawing depicting three iron workers at work on the beginnings of a skeleton of a building. Based on the placement of this drawing in the middle of the room it is presumed that this is a sculptural piece that the exhibition is centered around.
Brooklyn Bridge. Large Prints (5 oversize folders), 1980s?, inclusive
Scope and Contents
25 gelatin silver photographs, removed from matting, each measuring about 44 x 30 inches. All signed by Dogançay and numbered 1/10. Images of construction workers, netting, walkways, cables, pedestrians on the bridge walkways during construction work, and the like.
Immediate Source of Acquisition:
Gift of Angela Dogançay, July 2019. Added to finding aid in September 2019.