Comments on: Reasons To Be Cheerful: the Barney Bubbles revival

By: Mac

Mac — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:48:46 +0000

a few posts up I wrote ”I have some old issues, late 60s with Paolozzi’s work in under the Pseudonym ‘Arturo Laskus’ – great drawings and covers ”
Thanks to a friend John – I have it on good authority that Arturo was not one of Paolozzis Pseudonym pen names but his real studio assistant – artistically – an Edouardo double by all acounts – very talented – the work in Ambit is wonderful. Lets have an Arturo Laskis show. My apologies to Arturo on my gaff – though it is of course a compliment also to suspect him of being EP in disguise

Carson did you just copy and paste my comment above ? – as I seem to have just commented on my own earlier comment on Paolozzis ICA Independent show ‘ hot from Paris’ etc etc ? it reads word for word – unless I am your dopplenganger and you are mine ! LOL

By: Mac

Mac — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:36:29 +0000

Hello Carson – The opaque projector, epidioscope – juxtaposition show was something else in London at that time Im sure – were you in attendance there ? can you describe it – luck are those who were lucky enough to have seen it – and I suppose yes it inspired artistically and also academically – used by generation of Art lectures for decades to come – when needing to ruffle up the students a little in a lecture theatre – turn off the lights and Wam! Bam! – watch this – a circus of images – Hesse like – with the sign ”Welcome to the magic theatre – it is not for everyone ” we are back to Hawkwind again there – best wishes Mac

By: Carson Adams

Carson Adams — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:53:23 +0000

Paolozzi was a huge influence to many of us -of course – and the 1956 show at the ICA was the big one – with his Light Show of found images – with an epidioscope – pretty far out then – hot from paris no doubt – but that mid 50s ‘Independent group’ shook things up for the year…

By: David Wills

David Wills — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 08:34:50 +0000

Did you see my post where I describe seeing Paolozzi’s work at the Ideal Home Exhibition on a Doc Draw expedition with Mr. Gould and Kirby and three years worth of students, in 1959 I’d guess. Amongst the wallpaper and bathroom fittings a veritable booth city, with a series of Paolozzi prints on display in, incongruously, I think it was the Mapplethorpe (?) or some-such Wallpaper company display. Barney raved, Gould complained of rubbishism. Barney conspiratorially whispered that he thought “they were great.”

By: Paul Gorman

Paul Gorman — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 07:53:46 +0000

There is a double page spread on Reasons To be Cheerful in the new issue of The Word magazine (datelined November). Enjoy!

By: Mack ( Mr D Rider )

Mack ( Mr D Rider ) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:37:20 +0000

Yes – it is a bit intense at times – doing the old chalking and talking ..but your grand website makes up in bucket loads for not being able to persuade you in to speak to them – if i had been able to access a site like this as a student – I would never have gone into college and got any work done ! great inspiration

so much to read and explore – fantastic

Yes Paolozzi was a big part of Ambit – often as Arturo Laskis and if im right NEAGU’P – maybe only martin bax – Foreman knew – theres a link to its archive somewhere for readers here – bit like the Oz link – will dig that out

thanks John

By: John

John — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:47:39 +0000

I saw some issues of Ambit years ago–don’t have any myself–but don’t remember Paolozzi in any of them. JG Ballard (wasn’t he an editor there for a while?) did a lot for Ambit and he and Paolozzi were friends so it’s no surprise.

I actually live in Manchester but I don’t think I could be persuaded to give a talk. No slight on your students, I’ve given a couple of talks in the past and didn’t enjoy the experience one bit. Can’t focus my thoughts with a group of people staring at me. Sorry.

By: Mack ( Mr D Rider )

Mack ( Mr D Rider ) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 22:05:29 +0000

Hi again John -Ive put this on too – sorry to repeat – but the Ambit celebration page below might be good ?

not been here for a bit – and just seen Davids confirmation to my comments 8 months back ( Mr D Rider ) of BBs love for Paolozzi – I knew it – its in the work – especially the inner sleeves for Ritual and the Oz posters. – I wonder if they met ?
Paolozzi was a huge influence to many of us -of course – and the 1956 show at the ICA was the big one – with his Light Show of found images – with an epidioscope – pretty far out then – hot from paris no doubt – but that mid 50s ‘Independent group’ shook things up for the year. ( Theo Crosby set that up i think ? )

Did any of you folks out there work with Ambit ? when Paolozzi was there – ( John maybe you could start an Ambit page ? some great work there -Martin Bax and Mike Foreman -right ? I have some old issues late 60s with Paolozzis work in under the Pseudonym ‘Arturo Laskus’ – great drawings and covers

- EP was great teacher and i will never forget his presence around the RCA – especially in the LIFT

thanks for all this John – the site just gets better and better – come to Manchester and talk to us and the students please whenever suits

By: John

John — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:29:22 +0000

Hi Mack. I don’t know if Rick Poyner has contributed but Paul tells me other design professionals have done so. I imagine we’ll find out soon enough.

You may like to know that one of Barney’s colleagues, David Wills, has been blogging here recently. Lots of rare BB info being brought to light.

Oh! Just noticed a comment from you on David’s pages. No matter, this link will serve as a notice for others…

By: Mack

Mack — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:53:33 +0000

The books done !! was Rick poyner involved John ?

Well thats really fantastic news – made my week that – brilliant – I have waited for years for BB to get the correct historical recognition he is due – only thing is – I liked him being someone you found if you deserved to find him – but Ive been championing him for 18 years to my own students – mind you, only those who I felt deserved it mind !!
Ever since opening Space Ritual in 1974 ( Late ! ) I fell head over ..with his imagery, colour, and visual narrative.

If its a limited edition run – i will secretly be pleased – goes against all we do to want to keep him Personal but i think you know what i mean John. It will be top of the Graphics students reading list at Manchester school of Art anyway thats for sure come Christmas !

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