Due to construction, Museum parking may be limited at the time of your visit. Look for additional parking in free or metered spaces along nearby streets.
Back to Collection

William L. Fox: Terra Antarctica

CAE1117

Summary Note

This archive contains materials related to the author William L. Fox’s Antarctic research for his book Terra Antarctica: Looking into the Emptiest Continent. Materials include research notes, correspondence, journals, 35mm slides, catalogs by various artists, and maps.

Biographical Note

William L. Fox, Director of the Center for Art + Environment at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno, Nevada, has variously been called an art critic, science writer, and cultural geographer. He has published thirteen books on cognition and landscape, numerous essays in art monographs, magazines and journals, and fifteen collections of poetry. Among his nonfiction titles are Aereality: On the World from Above; Terra Antarctic: Looking into the Emptiest Continent; In the Desert of Desire: Las Vegas and the Culture of Spectacle; and The Void, the Grid, and the Sign: Traversing the Great Basin. Fox is also an artist who has exhibited in numerous group and solo shows in eight countries since 1974.

Scope and Content

As a grantee in the National Science Foundation’s “Antarctic Visiting Artists and Writers Program,” Fox spent the 2001/2002 field season based at McMurdo in the Ross Sea Region researching a book on the cartographic, artistic, and scientific image history of the continent, a project he had started in 1999 and finished with the book publication in 2005 (although some correspondence files were continued through 2009). He travelled for eleven weeks throughout the Ross Sea Region and Dry Valleys, and to the South Pole interviewing other writers, artists, and scientists. The majority of research, however, was performed in 2002 at the Getty Research Institute while he was a visiting scholar, while living in Portland, Oregon during 2002-2003 under the support of a Guggenheim Fellowship, and then at the University of Nevada, Reno during Fall 2003, when he was a Hilliard Fund Scholar-in-Residence. The nature of the research extended his work on the effects of cognitive dissonance in isotropic spaces that was started in the Great Basin, and explored the relationships between visual perception, very large physical environments, and the evolution of landscape representation from exploration through settlement.

Materials for the archive "William L. Fox: Terra Antarctica" include research notes on image histories of the Antarctic; correspondence files with Antarctic artists in North America, New Zealand, and Australia; journals; 35mm slides of artworks; catalogs by various artists; and maps. Color slides from artists are discussed in the book and used by Fox in lectures.

Arrangement

The William L. Fox: Terra Antarctica archive is organized into five series. The first three series consist of research: a series for general Antarctic and NSF research; a series for artist and writer research, which is further organized alphabetically; and, a series consisting of research materials for the book Terra Antarctica: Looking into the Emptiest Continent. The fourth series contains materials related to the book and other Antarctic publications by Fox, while the fifth series consists of NSF Artist and Writers Program materials including Fox’s applications and field materials.

Inclusive Dates

1928-2009

Bulk Dates

1997-2002

Quantity / Extent

2.5 cubic feet

Language

English, French, German, Japanese, Niuean, Samoan, Swedish, Turkish

Related Archive Collections

  • CAE1042: Lita Albuquerque: Stellar Axis, Antarctica
  • CAE1103: Joan Myers Wondrous Cold: An Antarctic Journey
  • CAE1107: Stephen Eastaugh: Antarctic Work
  • CAE1112: Simon Balm: Stellar Axis, Antarctica
  • CAE1116: Chris Drury: Antarctica
  • CAE1202: David Rosenthal: Paintings of the North and South Polar Regions
  • CAE1217: Paul D. Miller, aka DJ Spooky that Subliminal Kid: Ice Music
  • CAE1218: Jean de Pomereu: Antarctic Work
  • CAE1219: Stuart Klipper: The Antarctic, From the Circle to the Pole
  • CAE1307: Chris Kannen: An Antarctic Extended Season
  • CAE1605: Anna McKee: 68,000 Years of Ice
  • CAE1806: Bruce Licher: Stamping Antarctica
  • CAE1903: David Arnold Antarctic Re-Explorations
  • CAE1910: Helen Glazer: Walking in Antarctica
  • CAE1911: Donald Fortescue: Instrument (90°S)

Related Publications

Fogg, G.E., and David Smith. The Explorations of Antarctica: The Last Unspoilt Continent. London: Cassell Publishers Limited, 1990.

Fox, William L. A letter from Antarctica: Art, Science and Landscape in the Last Place on Earth. Denver, CO: Western States Art Federation, 2002.

Fox, William L. Terra Antarctica: Looking into the Emptiest Continent. San Antonio: Trinity University Press, 2005.

Archive Tube Rack Oversized Items

Container Listing by Series:

CAE1117/1 Series 1: General Antarctic Research, 1957-2005

Series 1 includes Bill Fox’s general Antarctic research including Antarctic early expeditions, art, stamps, and cartography. Materials also include articles, slides, maps, and correspondence.

  • ARCH-FILE 20-1

    • 1-1 General Research, 1998-2001
    • 1-2 Early Expeditions, 1999-2004
    • 1-3 Antarctic Art, Miscellaneous, 1993-2005
    • 1-4 Antarctic Cartography, 1957-2002
    • 1-5 Antarctic Publications/Film/Video, 1995-1999
    • 1-6 Antarctic Stamps, 1997-1999
    • 1-7 American Institute of Architects, McMurdo Plan, 1993
    • 1-8 NSF Slides, 1999
    • 1-9 Mt. Erebus, 1994-2002
    • 1-10 South Pole, 1999-2002
    • 1-11 Microbial Life/Dry Valleys, 1999-2003
    • 1-12 Antarctic New Zealand Program, 1999
    • 1-13 Australian Antarctic Division, 1997-1999
    • 1-14 Byrd Polar Research Center, 1999-2002
    • 1-15 National Maritime Museum (UK), not dated
    • 1-16 Scott Polar Research Center, 1999
    • 1-17 UCLA Library and Special Collections Research, 1999-2000
    • 1-18 Michael C. Malin, Malin Space Science Systems, 2000
    • 1-19 Robert A. Wharton, PhD. DRI, 1981-1998
    • 1-20 Miscellaneous Correspondence, 1999-2004

Additional Materials

  • Archive Bin 3

    • 1-4#3 Antarctica: American Geographical Society of New York, Map, 1970
    • 1-4#9 Satellite Image Map of Antarctica, Map, 1991
    • 1-4#11 McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 1995
    • 1-4#12 Satellite Image Map of Antarctica, Map, 1995
    • 1-4#13 Ross Island and Vicinity: Antarctica, Topographic map, 1996
    • 1-4#14 Mount Discovery, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 1999
    • 1-4#15 Lake Fryxell, Antarctica Satellite Image Map, 1999
    • 1-4#16 Denton Glacier, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 1999
    • 1-4#17 South Ross Sea Region, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 1999
    • 1-4#18 Bathymetry of Pine Island Bay, Map, March 26, 2000
    • 1-4#19 Ross Island and McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 2000
    • 1-4#20 Convoy Range, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 2000
    • 1-4#21 Skelton Névé, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 2000
    • 1-4#22 Mount Erebus, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 2000
    • 1-4#23 Darwin Glacier, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 2001
    • 1-4#24 Turnstile Ridge, Antarctica Satellite Image Map, 2001
    • 1-4#25 Matterhorn, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 2001
    • 1-4#26 Marble Point, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 2001
    • 1-4#28 Mount Bird, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 2002
    • 1-4#29 Cape Crozier, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 2002
    • 1-4#30 Hut Point Peninsula, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 2002

  • Archive F5 Oversized Items

    • 1-4#1 Antarctica, Map, September 1957
    • 1-4#4 Index to Landsat Worldwide Reference Systems (WRS): Landsats 1, 2, 3, and 4, Map, March
    • 1-4#6 Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica, Photomap, 1985
    • 1-4#7 Hut Point Peninsula: Antarctica, Photomap, 1985
    • 1-4#8 Index to United States Topographic and Other Map Coverage of Antarctica, Map, July 1, 1987
    • 1-4#10 McMurdo Station, Antarctica, Photomap, 1993
    • 1-4#27 Darwin Mountains, Antarctica, Satellite Image Map, 2002
    • 1-4#31 Antarctica: a new age of exploration,
    • 1-4#32 Global Navigation and Planning Chart: Antarctic Peninsula to tip of South America, Map, not
    • 1-4#33 Center for Astrophysical Research in Antarctica, Poster, not dated

  • Archive F19 Oversized Items

    • 1-4#2 Antarctica, Map, February 1963
    • 1-4#5 Mt. Erebus, Antarctica, Map, 1983

  • Archive S-Box 3 Oversized Items

    • 1-7#1 McMurdo: Planning for Tomorrow, Report, 1993

CAE1117/2 Series 2: Artist / Writer Research, 1928-2009

Series 2 contains Bill Fox’s research materials for specific artists and writers.

  • ARCH-FILE 20-1

    • 2-1 Allspaw, Susan, 1999-2000
    • 2-2 Anthony, Jason (1 of 2), 2002-2006
    • 2-3 Anthony, Jason (2 of 2), 1994-2002
    • 2-4 Beaumont, Arthur, 1999
    • 2-5 Brown, Nigel, 1997-2000
    • 2-6 Campbell, Allen, 1988-2003
    • 2-7 Conrad, Larry, 1999-2002
    • 2-8 Crawford, Neelon, 1989-2000
    • 2-9 Cree Brown, Chris, 2000
    • 2-10 Curtis, Leland, 1999
    • 2-11 deLeiris, Lucia, 1986-1999
    • 2-12 Eastaugh, Stephen, 2000-2002
    • 2-13 Elliot, Margaret, 1987-2004
    • 2-14 Finkel, Donald, 1978-1999
    • 2-15 Fogg, G.E. and David Smith, 1966-1999
    • 2-16 Forster, Jody, 1990-1999
    • 2-17 Hodges, William, 1979
    • 2-18 Jacobsen, John, 2001-2002
    • 2-19 Kaiser, Henry, 2000-2002
    • 2-20 Kelley, John, 2004
    • 2-21 Kidd, Courtney, 1996
    • 2-22 King, Virginia, 1994-2002
    • 2-23 Klipper, Stuart, 1987-2009

  • ARCH-FILE 20-2

    • 2-24 Lang, Daniel, 1975-2000
    • 2-25 Law, Nel, 1961-2000
    • 2-26 Legler, Gretchen, 1997-2005
    • 2-27 Long, Don (D.S.), 1971-1999
    • 2-28 Mahy, Margaret, 1998-1999
    • 2-29 Manhire, Bill, 1998-1999
    • 2-30 McGregor, Alasdair, 1999
    • 2-31 Meredith, Charlotte (Chi), 1998-2001
    • 2-32 Milford, Ty, 2002-2003
    • 2-33 Myers, Joan, 2001
    • 2-34 Nisbet, Peter, 1987-2003
    • 2-35 Noble, Anne, 2002-2008
    • 2-36 Paige, David, 1929-2003
    • 2-37 Pyne, Stephen, 1993-2002
    • 2-38 Quin, Douglas, 1997-1999
    • 2-39 Rayner, George, 1928-1999
    • 2-40 Robinson, Kim Stanley, 1995-1997
    • 2-41 Roberts, Lisa, 2003
    • 2-42 Robertson, Christian Clare, 1989-1999
    • 2-43 Rosenthal, David, 1994-2003
    • 2-44 Scott, Diane, 2001-2002
    • 2-45 Sorlien, Sandy, 1998-2001
    • 2-46 Stephenson, David, 1991-1993
    • 2-47 Stephenson, Rob, 1999-2002
    • 2-48 Stout, William, 1999
    • 2-49 Sutton, William, 2002
    • 2-50 van Glintenkamp, Rik, 1999-2002
    • 2-51 Walton, David, 1999
    • 2-52 Waite, Amory, 1999
    • 2-53 Warren, Gabriel, 1987-2006
    • 2-54 Weiss, Rachel, 1986

Additional Materials

  • Archive F19 Oversized Items

    • 2-8#1 The Lone Emperor, Poster, 1989
    • 2-8#2 The Geographic South Pole, Poster, 1989

CAE1117/3 Series 3: Book Research, 1999-2002

Series 3 contains Bill Fox’s book research conducted over a three-year period.

  • ARCH-FILE 20-2

    • 3-1 Book Research “A” and Key, 1999-2002
    • 3-2 Book Research “B”, 1999-2002
    • 3-3 Book Research “C”, 1999-2002
    • 3-4 Book Research “D”, 1999-2002
    • 3-5 Book Research “F”, 1999-2002
    • 3-6 Book Research “G”, 1999-2002
    • 3-7 Book Research “H”, 1999-2002
    • 3-8 Book Research “I”, 1999-2002
    • 3-9 Book Research “J”, 1999-2002
    • 3-10 Book Research “K”, 1999-2002
    • 3-11 Book Research “L”, 1999-2002
    • 3-12 Book Research “M”, 1999-2002
    • 3-13 Book Research “N”, 1999-2002
    • 3-14 Book Research “P”, 1999-2002
    • 3-15 Book Research “R”, 1999-2002
    • 3-16 Book Research “S”, 1999-2002
    • 3-17 Book Research “T”, 1999-2002
    • 3-18 Book Research “V”, 1999-2002
    • 3-19 Book Research “W”, 1999-2002
    • 3-20 Book Research "Miscellaneous”, 1999-2002

CAE1117/4 Series 4: Book Production, Antarctic Writings and Presentations, 1985-2009

Series 4 contains materials related to book production, other writings or activities related to Antarctica, and presentation materials. Folders 1-8 are related to book production, while folders 9-15 are related to Antarctic writings and presentation materials.

  • ARCH-FILE 20-2

    • 4-1 Reproduction, Bibliotetheque Nationale de France, 1998-2002
    • 4-2 Reproduction, Mitchell Library, (NSW) Australia, 1985-2002
    • 4-3 Reproduction, Museum Anatolian Civilizations, Ankara, Turkey, 2002
    • 4-4 Reproduction, National Maritime Museum, (UK), 2002
    • 4-5 Reproduction, Scott Polar Research Institute, 1990-2002
    • 4-6 Reproduction, Miscellaneous, 1996-2004
    • 4-7 Book Plates, 2004
    • 4-8 Book Reviews, 2002-2003
    • 4-9 Antarctica 1: Views Along Antarctica’s First Highway, 2002
    • 4-10 Antarctic Anthology (unrealized), 1998-2002
    • 4-11 Archives of Natural History Article, 2005
    • 4-12 Century of Discovery Symposium Abstract and Presentation, 2004
    • 4-13 Encyclopedia of the Antarctic Article, 2004
    • 4-14 Ponting/Scott Portfolio Essay, 2006-2009
    • 4-15 Presentation Slides, 2000-2002

CAE1117/5 Series 5: NSF Artists and Writers Program, 1997-2009

Series 5 contains items related to the NSF Artists and Writers Program.

  • ARCH-FILE 20-2

    • 5-1 NSF Antarctic Artists and Writers Program, 1997-2009
    • 5-2 NSF 1999 Application, 1999
    • 5-3 NSF 2000 Application, 2000-2001
    • 5-4 NSF 2000 Field Materials, 2000-2002

Additional Materials

  • ARCH-OBJ 13

    • 5-4#10 Fossil Fragment of Glossopteris, not dated

  • ARCH-OBJ 65

    • 5-4#6 Journal (1 of 4), 2001 – 2002
    • 5-4#7 Journal (2 of 4), 2001 – 2002
    • 5-4#8 Journal (3 of 4), 2001 – 2002
    • 5-4#9 Journal (4 of 4), 2001 – 2002