UM Bently Historic Library Welcomes George Manupelli's Papers

Several large folios, binders and various other papers belonging to AAFF founding director George Manupelli have recently been deposited to the University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library. A new archive dedicated to the recently deceased artist and educator will be housed alongside the Ann Arbor Film Festival archive as well as the Jay Cassidy archive, expanding the library’s holdings of AAFF-related records.

The folios were prepared by Manupelli himself and contain photographs and newspaper clippings about his career as an artist as well about the Ann Arbor Film Festival. There are also color photocopies of Manupelli’s 2D collages, his original AAFF ticket design layouts, handwritten song lyrics, and correspondence from the late composer and ONCE Group member Robert Ashley. This series of letters was printed in 48-point type to accommodate Manupelli’s failing eyesight from Macular Degeneration, and documents the process of securing a home for Manupelli’s film archive, which includes his Dr. Chicago series, at the Anthology Film Archive in New York.