The Watermill Study Library reflects the cultural imprint of humanity. As part of the Center’s collection, the library is unique as a singular space where printed material and artwork are brought together. Comprised of Robert Wilson’s still-growing collection, acquired over his more than 40-year career as a visionary artist and theater director, it houses approximately 8,000 titles, including bound volumes, catalogs and periodicals.
The geographic and cultural diversity of subjects range from Neolithic to Modern and Contemporary Visual Art, Architecture, Design, and Performance Art; theater, dance, and music; tribal arts of Africa, the Americas, Asia and the South Pacific; and photography. Also, the library contains many rare artists’ books and limited editions, as well as major international, non-English books on Western and non-Western art, often difficult to find in the United States. Along with materials on Robert Wilson and his many collaborators, one may also find research books used by Wilson, many containing his notes, as they prove to be inspiration for new works and the visual vocabulary for productions, such as Einstein on the Beach and the CIVIL wars. Watermill’s collection allows one to gain a better understanding of traditional and contemporary art-making practices from around the world, and experience the varying traditions that inform the work being created by the Center’s resident artists.
The Watermill Center Study Library is open to the public on Tuesdays, 12:00pm-5:00pm, September through June. If you have any questions about the library or to schedule an appointment please contact our Librarian at library@watermillcenter.org.
To explore our book catalogue, click here.
To contribute to The Watermill Center’s Library Campaign, click here.
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