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7. Jackson Mac Low: Three Social Projects (1963)

Commentary

  • John Hicks
On 29 April 1963, the poet and performer Jackson Mac Low mailed a series of postcards to a number of his artistic colleagues. Each postcard contained the title and text of a composition by Mac Low. Taken as a series, these works probe the limits of the still-emerging format of the event score. Some compositions ask performers to complete virtually impossible tasks; others appear effortlessly simple. The three Social Project scores, in particular, seem designed to spur their recipients to think more clearly, in both conceptual and practical terms, about the theories of social change that were being implicitly invoked in this newly expanded mode of artistic performance.
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Score

Unlined blank index card with typewritten black text in English. Recto, Jackson Mac Low’s address at top left, color stamp at top right, receiver address at bottom right. Verso, typewritten text at center of card with title and date at top and “Jackson Mac Low” at bottom right. 
Postcards sent by Jackson Mac Low to Benjamin Patterson with various scores composed in 1963, including Social Projects 1–3, Architecture (for GB), Schedule (for George Brecht), and Light Rhythms for Henry Flynt (April 1963)

Playback

Audio recording of Michael Gallope and John Hicks discussing Jackson Mac Low’s Three Social Projects (27 November 2024)

Archive

  • John Hicks

Highlights

Front of cream envelope with red handwritten text in English. Sender Jackson Mac Low’s address at top left, glue residue and circular black ink stamps at top left, and recipient M.C. Richards’ address at center to lower right. Two purple ink stamps with words “first class” at bottom and center left, otherwise, section blank.
Envelope for a letter from Jackson Mac Low to David Tudor, John Cage, and M. C. Richards in Stony Point, NY (10 February 1955)
Narrow, rectangular, vertically oriented booklet with black print lettering at top right reading “YEAR.” Red print graphic of a figure with long dark hair and billowing white clothes embracing a figure behind in a long, dark contrasting cape and headpiece dominate the center of the page. Below the floating figures is a hilly landscape with large shrubs. Unfolds into long, accordion-fold length of paper with twelve printed section, each of which is titled with a Roman numeral I–XII, under which appear a numbered list of brief, poetic phrases.
Year (New York: Dead Language, 1962) (1962)
Yellow paper flyer with black printed text in English. Title at top center in large, bold lettering “Fear is now the American way of Life” followed by list of prepositional phrases finishing the prompt “Fear of” followed by four paragraphs that cover the bottom half of the page. 
Three-page leaflet distributed by New York Catholic Workers for their protest against mandatory participation in the city’s civil defense drill (15 June 1955)
Photocopy of white page with black handwritten text titled “FLUXUS NEWS POLICY LETTER NO.6 APRIL 6, 1963” at top left, followed by four sections “Distribution,” containing first and last names, “I proposed propaganda action for Nov. Fluxus in N.Y.C,” containing a four sections each with lettered outline, “I proposed preliminary contents of NCY Fluxus in Nov.,” containing an eight-point numbered list, each with a sentence, and an untitled section with two paragraphs concerning future meeting logistics. 1st, 3rd, and 4th sections of page take up 1/5 each, with second section largest, taking up 2/5ths.  Paginated 156 at bottom left.
Fluxus News–Policy Letter, no. 6 (6 April 1963)
White page with black typewritten text in English. Top margin blank except for recipient address at left and sender address at right. “Dear George” on first line at top left followed by one column of all-capitalized text that uses thin margins and runs the length of the page. Several words underlined in black pen throughout.
Open letter from Jackson Mac Low to George Maciunas in response to Fluxus News—Policy Letter, no. 6 (25 April 1963)

Scores (5 items)

White page with black typewritten text in English. Top left of page features a string of ten numbers separated by punctuation marks and the title “a biblical poem.” The page is formatted with a wide margin on the left and double-spaced text lines arranged in free verse form on the right. Each line of text contains alternating words and black spaces marked with underscores flanked by forward slashes. 
Typescript of “Biblical Poems” 1–3, enclosed with a letter to M. C. Richards (1955)
White page with black typewritten text in English. Top left of page features a string of twelve numbers separated by punctuation marks and the title “the 4th biblical poem.” The page is formatted with a wide margin on the left and double-spaced text lines arranged in free verse form on the right that reach just above the bottom quarter of the page. Each line of text contains alternating words and black spaces marked with underscores flanked by forward slashes.
Typescript of “Biblical Poems” 4–5, enclosed with a letter to M. C. Richards (1955)
Two-page spread in bound book. Left, blank salmon page. Right, white page with black all-text graphic oriented in off center cross pattern. Horizontal text reads, from top to bottom “Story Music Jackson Mac Low Chance Operations” Vertical text reads from right to left “Essays Poetry Indeterminacy.” Graphic covers three quarters of page, with bottom left mostly empty. 
Pages from Jackson Mac Low’s contribution to a unique copy of An Anthology of Chance Operations (New York: George Maciunas and Jackson Mac Low, 1962) (1962)
Three unlined blank index cards with typewritten black text in English. Recto, Jackson Mac Low’s address at top left, color stamp at top right, receiver address at bottom right.  Verso, typewritten text at center of card with title and date at top and “Jackson Mac Low” at bottom right.
Postcards from Jackson Mac Low to Daniel Spoerri, Emmett Williams, and Robert Filliou, with scores for Social Projects 1–3 (29 April 1963)
Unlined blank index card with typewritten black text in English. Recto, Jackson Mac Low’s address at top left, color stamp at top right, receiver address at bottom right. Verso, typewritten text at center of card with title and date at top and “Jackson Mac Low” at bottom right. 
Postcards sent by Jackson Mac Low to Benjamin Patterson with various scores composed in 1963, including Social Projects 1–3, Architecture (for GB), Schedule (for George Brecht), and Light Rhythms for Henry Flynt (April 1963)

Programs and flyers (7 items)

Light blue paper flyer with red printed graphics and text. A yin-yang sign run through with uniform striation marks to create a rippling, psychedelic effect, encased in a circle with wrapped text, encased in a large red square with wrapped text to create a border. Graphic makes heavy use of light blue negative space to contrast with red ink. Bottom divided into two squares, left a list of performers and right information to provide donation.
Poster for a “peace illumination walk” in sympathy with the suffering in Vietnam (23 December 1966)
White page with black printed, hand drawn graphic of a bearded man’s head in space surrounded by stars and planets. Above, in an arc, title reads “WALTSPACER.” Below, bottom third of page features black typewritten text in English, each line double-spaced and center aligned, featuring information on the performance. Date, time, and location printed in left and right margin.
Flyer for “Waltspacer: An Audiovisual Simultaneity” at Loeb Student Center, New York University, New York, NY (23 April 1969)
White page with black typewritten text in English titled “Jackson Mac Low with Merce Cunningham and Dance Company” at top but below time, date, and location information, and followed by program, performers and personnel information that runs the length of the page.
Program for “Jackson Mac Low with Merce Cunningham and Dance Company” at Cunningham Studio at Westbeth, New York, NY (16–17 February 1974)
Recto, Horizontal white page with black and white photocopy divided vertically at center. Left features blown-out portrait photograph of a man shoulder-length black hair wearing a plaid print shirt. Right features column of handwritten text that runs the length of the page titled “Jackson Mac Low Verbal/Musical Works at the Kitchen” at first three lines larger than the rest of the text. 
Flyer for “Jackson Mac Low: Verbal/Musical Works” at The Kitchen, New York, NY, sent by Mac Low to Dick Higgins (30 May 1978)
White page with black typewritten text in English titled “Jackson Mac Low Retrospective” at top center, followed by double-spaced paragraphs of text that run the length of the page. Original address of performance in second paragraph stricken through. New address stamped in left margin at center.
Press release for a Jackson Mac Low retrospective concert (1982)
White page with black typewritten text in English titled “Jackson Mac Low” in large letters at top center, followed by time, date, and location of performance, followed by headshot of a man just above center enclosed in band of text running the width of the page reading “MUSIC PERFOMRANCE POETRY DANCE” repeated. Bottom half of page contains three columns of participant names.
Poster for a Jackson Mac Low retrospective concert at Washington Square Church, New York, NY (1982)
Cover of white paper program with black typewritten text in English titled “Jackson Mac Low Retrospective Concert -- In Celebration of His 60th Birthday” at top center, followed by a schedule of performances with work titles, composition dates, and performers that runs the length of the page. Each performance on separate line followed by an empty line. First performance at 2pm, last at 4:05pm.
Program for “Jackson Mac Low Retrospective Concert—In Celebration of His 60th Birthday” (12 September 1982)

Photographs (1 item)

Black and white photograph, chest up, of a man reading a book held in both hands, illuminated by a light bulb also held in hands. The bulb is the only light source in the photo, creating deep shadows at edges and bright light on the man’s face, hands, and book.
Photograph of Jackson Mac Low (25 January 1965)

Press clippings (4 items)

Rectangular newspaper clipping containing three columns of text and one photo on top two thirds and four text advertisements on bottom third. Top text contains one article titled “Jackson Mac Low: Text Sound Pieces” at top, spanning all three text columns. Below title, and above second and third text column, pull quote reads” Could it be that the sounds of a person’s name do connote something about the person?” Center column features headshot of man with long hair and beard with mouth open while speaking or singing. 
“Jackson Mac Low: Text Sound Pieces,” The Village Voice (28 April 1975)
Roughly square-shaped newspaper clipping with three columns of text in English. A black rectangular banner at top spans the width of the page and contains text “In Performance.” At center left, in large, bold text reads “Words.” Below and in the leftmost column is a review titled “Jackson Mac Low The Brook” that fills the majority of text of the clipping.
“Words: Jackson Mac Low, The Brook,” Soho Weekly News (8 April 1976)
Rectangular, vertical newspaper clipping containing one column of text titled “Music Perplexities of Fluxus” at top in large font.
“Music: Perplexities of Fluxus,” New York Times (2 June 1978)
Rectangular, horizontal newspaper clipping comprised of four columns of text in English and one photo. Titled “A Mac Low High Point” at top left in bold letters, spanning two columns of text. Headshot, in profile, of man in suit and short hair at top of second column of text, below the title.
“A Mac Low High Point,” The Village Voice (6 October 1982)

Correspondence (10 items)

White page with green typewritten text in English. “Dear MC” at top left followed by one column of text that runs the length and width of the page without margins. One pencil correction at center of page. 
Letter from Jackson Mac Low to M. C. Richards in Stony Point, NY (1 February 1955)
Front of cream envelope with red handwritten text in English. Sender Jackson Mac Low’s address at top left, glue residue and circular black ink stamps at top left, and recipient M.C. Richards’ address at center to lower right. Two purple ink stamps with words “first class” at bottom and center left, otherwise, section blank.
Envelope for a letter from Jackson Mac Low to David Tudor, John Cage, and M. C. Richards in Stony Point, NY (10 February 1955)
White page with black typewritten text in English. Top left reads “Dear John” followed by four double-spaced paragraphs of text that run the length of the page and utilize thin margins on left and no margin on right. 
Letter from Jackson Mac Low to John Cage in Stony Point, NY (ca. 10 February 1955)
White page with black typewritten text in English. Top left reads “Dear David” followed by one short six-line double-spaced paragraph, an empty space, and another double-spaced paragraph that runs the length of the page. Page has thin margins on left and no margin on right. Sentence at center of second paragraph stricken through with red pencil. Other corrections in second paragraph throughout with same pencil. 
Letter from Jackson Mac Low to David Tudor in Stony Point, NY (ca. 10 February 1955)
White page with black typewritten text in English. Top left reads “Dear MC” followed by four double-spaced paragraphs of text that run the length of the page and utilize thin margins on left and no margin on right.
Letter from Jackson Mac Low to M. C. Richards in Stony Point, NY (ca. 10 February 1955)
Fragment of a letter from Jackson Mac Low to David Tudor, John Cage, and M. C. Richards in Stony Point, NY (10 February 1955)
White page with black and red typewritten text in English. Large top margin with address at right center. Letter addressed “Dear David” at top left, below margin, and followed by three paragraphs of text that run the length of the page. Signed “Jackson” at bottom right. Other sparing handwritten corrections throughout. Address, salutation and sentence near bottom “Please let me know if you can’t read the carbon copies of the methods” in red. All other text in black.
Letter from Jackson Mac Low to David Tudor (30 March 1961)
Photocopy of white page with black handwritten text titled “FLUXUS NEWS POLICY LETTER NO.6 APRIL 6, 1963” at top left, followed by four sections “Distribution,” containing first and last names, “I proposed propaganda action for Nov. Fluxus in N.Y.C,” containing a four sections each with lettered outline, “I proposed preliminary contents of NCY Fluxus in Nov.,” containing an eight-point numbered list, each with a sentence, and an untitled section with two paragraphs concerning future meeting logistics. 1st, 3rd, and 4th sections of page take up 1/5 each, with second section largest, taking up 2/5ths.  Paginated 156 at bottom left.
Fluxus News–Policy Letter, no. 6 (6 April 1963)
White page with black typewritten text in English. Top margin blank except for recipient address at left and sender address at right. “Dear George” on first line at top left followed by one column of all-capitalized text that uses thin margins and runs the length of the page. Several words underlined in black pen throughout.
Open letter from Jackson Mac Low to George Maciunas in response to Fluxus News—Policy Letter, no. 6 (25 April 1963)
Photocopy of white page with black handwritten text titled “FLUXUS NEWS POLICY LETTER NO.7 MAY 1, 1963 (last APO day)” at top, followed by three sections “Distribution,” containing first and last names, “Further Proposals for N.Y.C. Fluxus” with sections sub headed From Tomas Schmit, Nam June Paik, Henry Flynt, and Jackson Mac Low, and an untitled section signed by George Maciunas with one paragraphs addressing complaints concerning the previous news letter. Center section, proposals, covers two thirds of the page. Paginated 157 at bottom right.
Fluxus News—Policy Letter, no. 7 (1 May 1963)

Map (1 item)

Customized Google map with pins dropped on various locations, mostly in the New York area and Western Europe, showing where Mac Low created and sent his postcard scores.
Interactive map of locations relevant to the creation and distribution of Jackson Mac Low’s postcard scores (spring 1963)

Archival materials (2 items)

Yellow paper flyer with black printed text in English. Title at top center in large, bold lettering “Fear is now the American way of Life” followed by list of prepositional phrases finishing the prompt “Fear of” followed by four paragraphs that cover the bottom half of the page. 
Three-page leaflet distributed by New York Catholic Workers for their protest against mandatory participation in the city’s civil defense drill (15 June 1955)
White page with black typewritten text in English. List of eleven items with their title, publication date, materials, size, and price in paragraph format with a blank line below each paragraph separating the entries. Title at top left identifies the list as “Jackson Mac Low items” at Backworks in Summer 1977. Two items, “A Vocabulary for Sharon Belle Mattlin” and “A Vocabulary for Peter Innisfree Moore” are crossed out and annotated “You already have this” in the left margin. 
Inventory and price list for Jackson Mac Low items for sale from Backworks (summer 1977)

Artwork (1 item)

Narrow, rectangular, vertically oriented booklet with black print lettering at top right reading “YEAR.” Red print graphic of a figure with long dark hair and billowing white clothes embracing a figure behind in a long, dark contrasting cape and headpiece dominate the center of the page. Below the floating figures is a hilly landscape with large shrubs. Unfolds into long, accordion-fold length of paper with twelve printed section, each of which is titled with a Roman numeral I–XII, under which appear a numbered list of brief, poetic phrases.
Year (New York: Dead Language, 1962) (1962)