National Anthropological Archives

Dadi Wirz photographs relating to New Guinea, circa 1952-1955

Summary

Collection ID:
NAA.PhotoLot.109
Creators:
Wirz, Dadi
Dates:
circa 1952-1955
Languages:
Undetermined
.
Physical Description:
133 Prints
silver gelatin and color
Repository:

Scope and Contents note

Scope and Contents note
Photographs relating to a trip that Dadi Wirz made with his father to New Guinea, 1952-1955. The photographs depict artifacts, including sculptures, masks, and paintings, as well as people and architecture. Additionally, there are some photographs of activities, including canoeing, construction, and painting.

Biographical/Historical note

Biographical/Historical note
Dadi Wirz, son of Swiss anthropologist Paul Wirz, was born in Switzerland in 1931. He spent much of his youth traveling with his father to Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Wirz was educated at the state school for applied and fine arts in Basel, Switzerland (1946-1950), apprenticed in photography with Schwitter S.A. photo engravers in Basel (1947-1950), and trained in Paris at Atelier 17 (1950-1952), and the Ecole du Louvre (1951). After his studies in Paris, Wirz joined his father on a research trip to New Guinea, where he documented their findings through photography and film making. During this time, Wirz developed a particular interest in the art from the Sepik area, a subject on which he has since lectured at museums and universities in the United States and Europe. Wirz taught photography and print making at Atelier 17, Ohio State University, Pratt Graphic Art Center, Rhode Island School of Design, and elsewhere.

Administration

Author
Sarah Ganderup
Custodial History note
Donated by Dadi Wirz through S. Dillon Ripley and Eugene Knez, circa 1967.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Conditions Governing Use note
These photographs are under copyright and cannot be reproduced without permission from the photographer.
Preferred Citation note
Photo lot 109, Dadi Wirz photographs relating to New Guinea, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Location of Other Archival Materials

Location of Other Archival Materials
The Museo delle Culture di Lugano also holds Dadi Wirz's negatives.

More Information

Local Call Number(s)

Local Call Number(s)
NAA Photo Lot 109


Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Painting Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Architecture Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sculpture Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

National Anthropological Archives
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, Maryland 20746
naa@si.edu