Lucia Grossberger Morales papers

Collection — Box: 1-2

Identifier: 116.2576

Staff Only

The Lucia Grossberger Morales papers contain materials from 1981 through 1989, with the bulk of the papers dated between 1982 and 1988. This collection contains fliers, pamphlets, newsletters, press releases, trade catalogs, newspaper and magazine clippings, prints, photographs, software manuals, 5¼” floppy disks, and framed artwork. Additional scope and content information can be found in the Contents List section of this finding aid.

The Lucia Grossberger Morales papers have been arranged into three series, one of which has been further divided into subseries. The collection is housed in two archival document boxes.

Dates

1981 - 1989
Majority of material found within 1982 - 1988

Creator

Grossberger, Lucia (Person)

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is open for research use by staff of The Strong and by users of its library and archives. Though the donor has not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to The Strong, she has given permission for The Strong to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.

Extent

2.2 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains software, publications, and original artwork created by Lucia Grossberger Morales on the Apple II computer using her programs The Designer’s Tool Kit and SpaceLace. The bulk of the materials are dated between 1982 and 1988.

Biographical Note

Lucia Grossberger Morales (also known professionally as Lucia Grossberger) is a Bolivian-American artist and programmer who notably shaped the computer-generated art landscape in the 1980s and 1990s.

Grossberger Morales was born in Catavi, Bolivia in 1952. Her family immigrated to Southern California in 1955. She later attended the University of Southern California, earning a B.A. in Anthropology and an M.S. in Instructional Technology. She enjoyed experimenting with film, video, and animation to tell stories.

In 1979, Grossberger Morales purchased an Apple II computer, in which she saw potential to use as an artistic medium. Working with partner Harry Vertelney and programmer David Rifkind, Grossberger Morales co-authored The Designer’s Tool Kit (1982), one of the first graphics programs published by Apple Computer, Inc. The software package included a manual with color pages and a graphic tablet overlay used to create and manipulate the artwork. Grossberger Morales’s early computer-generated artwork, which she began to exhibit at venues across California, included portraits, fabrics, and abstract images. She also created interactive installations at cultural centers. In 1985, Grossberger Morales co-authored AppleVisions with Apple employee Bob Bishop. Two years later, she and Bishop developed SpaceLace, a graphics program which allowed the artist to create a digital kaleidoscope.

As of 2017, Grossberger Morales continues to create and exhibit her art installations in museums, galleries, and shows worldwide.

System of Arrangement

Series I: Software, 1981-1987

Series II: Publications, 1981-1989

Subseries A: Articles, 1982-1989

Subseries B: Flier, n.d.

Subseries C: Newsletter, 1982

Subseries D: Event programs, 1982-1983

Subseries E: Press release, 1981

Subseries F: Trade catalog, 1982

Series III: Artwork, 1982-1986 and n.d.

Custodial History

The Lucia Grossberger Morales papers were donated to The Strong in June 2016 as a gift from Lucia Grossberger Morales. The papers were accessioned by The Strong under Object ID 116.2576 and were received from Grossberger Morales along with software and a book.