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Russian ballerina and actress Tamara Toumanova (1919–1996) letter to Joseph Cornell, May 16, 1942, including flowers and material from her costume. Joseph Cornell papers, 1804–1986. Archives of American Art.

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Source material, ballerina drawing with Joseph Cornell’s notations, undated. Joseph Cornell papers, 1804–1986. Archives of American Art.

FOR 3-16

THE PAPERS OF JOSEPH CORNELL AT SMITHSONIAN’S NYC ARCHIVES W/2 CUTS

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NEW YORK CITY — “Exquisite Surprise: The Papers of Joseph Cornell,” on view at the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art, New York Regional Center gallery through June 15, presents selections from the personal archives of Joseph Cornell (1903–1972).

“Exquisite Surprise” reveals Cornell’s sense of wonder though his private communications, personal musings and collected ephemera. Known mainly for his box constructions and collages, Cornell also was a filmmaker and graphic designer.

In his personal papers, Cornell recorded on scraps of paper the intertwined sensations of seeing, feeling and remembering. His notes on the backs of envelopes, magazine clippings and wrapping papers provide thorough documentation of Cornell’s creative process.

Deeply romantic, with wide-ranging cultural interest, he kept “dossiers” on people with whom he felt a special relationship — real or imagined — included actresses, singers, artists, ballerinas and writers. He also collected images from magazines and books, as well as prints, maps and artifacts as potential source material for his art.

Featured in the exhibition are Cornell’s diaries, selected photographs and letters to him from George Brecht, Rudy Burckhardt, Roberto Matta Echaurren, Ray Johnson, Julien Levy, Mina Loy, Robert Motherwell, Dorothea Tanning and Fay Wray. Also included is a sampling of source material that Cornell saved for his assemblages and collages.

The Archives of American Art, New York Regional Center gallery is on the lobby level of the UBS building, 1285 Avenue of the Americas, between 51st and 52nd Streets. It is open to the public, Monday through Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. For information, www.aaa.si.edu or 212-399-2902.