Online Robert Whitman American Moon Jan 18 – Feb 10, 2023 Robert Whitman, working across performance and installation art for more than six decades, has devoted his career to exploration and collaboration. The artist was a major figure in the ephemeral Happenings—a hybrid art form spanning installation, performance, and other mediums—and his contributions to the history of performance art helped shape the medium as it is known today. His seminal 1960 performance American Moon, which is the subject of an exhibition and performance series at Pace’s 508 West 25th Street gallery in New York, was realized as part of the experimental Happenings staged on the city’s Lower East Side in the late 1950s and early 1960s.This special online presentation, running through February 10, spotlights Whitman’s preparatory drawings for American Moon. These mixed media works on paper, all of which date to 1959, shed light on the artist’s vision for his madcap performance that premiered at the Reuben Gallery in New York on November 29, 1960. The original presentation of American Moon—for which the artist constructed an immersive environment made with construction paper, used fabrics, and scrap lumber— featured Whitman himself, fellow artists Lucas Samaras and Simone Forti, and other performers. Incorporating flashes of light, moments of total darkness, film projections, and cacophonous sounds, American Moon induced feelings of awe and disorientation in audience members, who watched the event from semi-enclosed tunnels built as part of the set.The works featured in this online exhibition, also on view in the physical show at Pace in New York, bring Whitman’s process for mounting the elaborate production into focus. They range from vibrant, semi-abstract renderings of the set’s components to written musings on the visual and sonic idiosyncrasies of the work. Some compositions are rendered on newspaper pages bearing advertisements, real estate listings, and other text that reflects the cultural context in which they were created. Together, the works on paper convened in this presentation speak to the conceptual underpinnings of American Moon and, more broadly, the aesthetic interests of the postwar avant-garde in New York.For more information on Pace’s multifaceted program dedicated to Whitman, please visit (opens in a new window) pacegallery.com/exhibitions/robert-whitman-american-moon. Read More Robert Whitman, Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960), 1959, mixed media, 11" × 7-1/2" (27.9 cm × 19.1 cm), sheet 13-1/8" × 9-5/8" × 1-3/8" (33.3 cm × 24.4 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes Learn More Close modal Robert Whitman Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960) 1959 mixed media 11" × 7-1/2" (27.9 cm × 19.1 cm), sheet 13-1/8" × 9-5/8" × 1-3/8" (33.3 cm × 24.4 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes $7,500 Inquire How can we reach you? First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Inquiry Message Have you purchased from Pace before?* Yes No Submit Inquiry Or go back Robert Whitman, Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960), 1959, mixed media, 11" × 7-1/4" (27.9 cm × 18.4 cm), sheet 13-1/8" × 9-9/16" × 1-3/8" (33.3 cm × 24.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes Learn More Close modal Robert Whitman Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960) 1959 mixed media 11" × 7-1/4" (27.9 cm × 18.4 cm), sheet 13-1/8" × 9-9/16" × 1-3/8" (33.3 cm × 24.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes $7,500 Inquire How can we reach you? First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Inquiry Message Have you purchased from Pace before?* Yes No Submit Inquiry Or go back Robert Whitman, Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960), 1959, mixed media, 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 10-5/8" × 13-1/8" × 1-3/8" (27 cm × 33.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes Learn More Close modal Robert Whitman Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960) 1959 mixed media 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 10-5/8" × 13-1/8" × 1-3/8" (27 cm × 33.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes $7,500 Inquire How can we reach you? First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Inquiry Message Have you purchased from Pace before?* Yes No Submit Inquiry Or go back Robert Whitman, Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960), 1959, mixed media, 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 10-5/8" × 13-1/8" × 1-3/8" (27 cm × 33.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes Learn More Close modal Robert Whitman Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960) 1959 mixed media 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 10-5/8" × 13-1/8" × 1-3/8" (27 cm × 33.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes $7,500 Inquire How can we reach you? First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Inquiry Message Have you purchased from Pace before?* Yes No Submit Inquiry Or go back Robert Whitman, Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960), 1959, mixed media, 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 10-5/8" × 13-1/8" × 1-3/8" (27 cm × 33.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes Learn More Close modal Robert Whitman Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960) 1959 mixed media 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 10-5/8" × 13-1/8" × 1-3/8" (27 cm × 33.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes $7,500 Inquire How can we reach you? First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Inquiry Message Have you purchased from Pace before?* Yes No Submit Inquiry Or go back Robert Whitman, Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960), 1959, mixed media, 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 10-5/8" × 13-1/8" × 1-3/8" (27 cm × 33.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes Learn More Close modal Robert Whitman Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960) 1959 mixed media 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 10-5/8" × 13-1/8" × 1-3/8" (27 cm × 33.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes $7,500 Inquire How can we reach you? First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Inquiry Message Have you purchased from Pace before?* Yes No Submit Inquiry Or go back Lucas Samaras (on swing); Martha Edelheit, Martha Jackson, Setev Joy, Rolf Nelson (in audience) © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2014.M.7) The thing about theater that most interests me is that it takes time. Time for me is something material. I like to use it that way. It can be used in the same way as paint or plaster or any other material. It can describe other natural events. Robert Whitman Preparations for Robert Whitman's American Moon at the Reuben Gallery (November 29 - December 4, 1960) © J. Paul Getty Trust. Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles (2014.M.7) Robert Whitman, Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960), 1959, mixed media, 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 10-5/8" × 13-1/8" × 1-3/8" (27 cm × 33.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes Learn More Close modal Robert Whitman Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960) 1959 mixed media 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 10-5/8" × 13-1/8" × 1-3/8" (27 cm × 33.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes $7,500 Inquire How can we reach you? First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Inquiry Message Have you purchased from Pace before?* Yes No Submit Inquiry Or go back Robert Whitman, Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960), 1959, mixed media, 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 10-5/8" × 13-1/8" × 1-3/8" (27 cm × 33.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes Learn More Close modal Robert Whitman Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960) 1959 mixed media 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 10-5/8" × 13-1/8" × 1-3/8" (27 cm × 33.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes $7,500 Inquire How can we reach you? First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Inquiry Message Have you purchased from Pace before?* Yes No Submit Inquiry Or go back Robert Whitman, Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960), 1959, mixed media, 11" × 8-1/2" (27.9 cm × 21.6 cm), sheet 13-1/8" × 10-5/8" × 1-3/8" (33.3 cm × 27 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes Learn More Close modal Robert Whitman Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960) 1959 mixed media 11" × 8-1/2" (27.9 cm × 21.6 cm), sheet 13-1/8" × 10-5/8" × 1-3/8" (33.3 cm × 27 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes $7,500 Inquire How can we reach you? First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Inquiry Message Have you purchased from Pace before?* Yes No Submit Inquiry Or go back Robert Whitman, Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960), 1959, mixed media, 11-3/4" × 9" (29.8 cm × 22.9 cm), sheet 13-3/4" × 11-1/8" × 1-3/8" (34.9 cm × 28.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes Learn More Close modal Robert Whitman Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960) 1959 mixed media 11-3/4" × 9" (29.8 cm × 22.9 cm), sheet 13-3/4" × 11-1/8" × 1-3/8" (34.9 cm × 28.3 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes $7,500 Inquire How can we reach you? First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Inquiry Message Have you purchased from Pace before?* Yes No Submit Inquiry Or go back Robert Whitman, Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960), 1959, mixed media, 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 13-1/8" × 10-5/8" × 1-3/8" (33.3 cm × 27 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes Learn More Close modal Robert Whitman Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960) 1959 mixed media 8-1/2" × 11" (21.6 cm × 27.9 cm), sheet 13-1/8" × 10-5/8" × 1-3/8" (33.3 cm × 27 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes $7,500 Inquire How can we reach you? First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Inquiry Message Have you purchased from Pace before?* Yes No Submit Inquiry Or go back Robert Whitman, Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960), 1959, mixed media, 12" × 7-3/8" (30.5 cm × 18.7 cm), sheet 14-1/8" × 9-5/8" × 1-3/8" (35.9 cm × 24.4 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes Learn More Close modal Robert Whitman Preparatory Sketch for American Moon Performance (1960) 1959 mixed media 12" × 7-3/8" (30.5 cm × 18.7 cm), sheet 14-1/8" × 9-5/8" × 1-3/8" (35.9 cm × 24.4 cm × 3.5 cm), frame from a suite of 41 works on paper, various sizes $7,500 Inquire How can we reach you? First Name* Last Name* Email* Phone Inquiry Message Have you purchased from Pace before?* Yes No Submit Inquiry Or go back Past Robert Whitman American Moon Jan 18 – Feb 4, 2023 New York To inquire about works by Robert Whitman, please email us at inquiries@pacegallery.com. Read More Journal View All News Remembering Robert Whitman Jan 19, 2024 Pace Live Watch Robert Whitman's "American Moon" Feb 27, 2023 Pace Live Watch Our Film Chronicling the Re-Staging of Robert Whitman’s “American Moon” Feb 27, 2023 Essays A Brief History of Robert Whitman’s Early Experimentations in Art and Technology Jan 13, 2023 Past, Robert Whitman, American Moon, Jan 18, 2023