Kikis Paris: Künstler Und Liebhaber 1900 1930

by Billy Klüver, Julie Martin

Recreates life in the tumultuous world of 1900-1930 Montparnasse. This book presents photographs of legendary figures, among them the model Kiki, Modigliani, Picasso, Satie, Matisse, Leger, Gertrude Stein, James Joyce and Miro. Gossip and anecdotes aim to bring this world alive.

Genres: History, Art, Nonfiction, Photography, Biography, France, Paris

264 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

Johan Wilhelm Klüver was born in Monaco in 1927, and grew up in Sweden (Stockholm). He came to the United States in 1954, where he first served as Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering, at UC, Berkeley, and subsequently Member of Technical Staff at Bell Telephone Laboratories in Murray Hill.

In the early 1960s, he collaborated with artists on works of art incorporating new technology, including Jean Tinguely, Jasper Johns, Yvonne Rainer, Robert Rauschenberg, John Cage and Andy Warhol.

In 1966, Klüver, Robert Rauschenberg, Robert Whitman, and Fred Waldhauer founded Experiments in Art and Technology, a not-for-profit service organization for artists and engineers. E.A.T. established a Technical Services Program to provide artists with technical information and assistance by matching them with engineers and scientists who can collaborate with them. E.A.T. projects included: "9 Evenings: Theatre and Engineering" in 1966; Utopia: Q&A;, public spaces linked by telex in New York, Ahmedabad, India, Tokyo, and Stockholm, where people could ask people in other countries questions about the future, 1971; Children and Communication pilot project to use telephone, telex and fax equipment to have children in different parts of New York City communicate with each other, 1972; large screen outdoor television display system for Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris, 1976-1977.

Reviews

[Dvora Treisman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. Photos, Kiki, Paris in the 20s. I was so looking forward to it. It has hundreds of photos -- about three quarters of the space is devoted to photos, the other quarter is text. But the text is pretty much a laundry list of names with stories or explanations that are not particularly interesting or sometimes all that coherent. The photos are plentiful, but they aren't really telling -- just lots of people some of whom are identified at the bottom. It's hard work to keep track of it all. And in the end, it doesn't really talk much about Kiki.

A similar book but much, MUCH better is Willilam Wiser's The Crazy Years: Paris in the Twenties. There you find interesting text and photos that illustrate what the author is telling you.

[David Cerruti · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you plan to see “Midnight in Paris”, the latest movie from Woody Allen, this book can give you some background. The book is about the artists, writers, and entertainers in and around Montparnasse. Kiki was a part of that crowd. More than a huge collection of captioned photos from its golden age, this is also a history of Montparnasse.

The 1st illustration is a map of the neighborhood ca. 1380. The last 8 pages are detailed current maps showing the location and years occupied of clubs, studios, cafes, and residences. There are 34 pages of notes.

Women of the Left Bank is recommended companion reading. Some of the women appearing in both books are Sylvia Beach, Djuna Barnes, Jean Rhys, Nancy Cunard, and Janet Flanners.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those interested in Paris of the 1900's this book is a must-have. It is crammed with photos & text, much of which I had never seen before. Each time I pick it up, I learn something new. My particular interest is of the '20's Paris, but the surrounding years had an important impact on that time & in many instances enhance my understanding of it.

[Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like this period of history, this book is invaluable. It's a massive collection of photographs from the first group of people to take snapshots. Pretty much any writer or artist who was around Paris from 1900 to 1930 is in this book multiple times.

[AC · Rating 4 out of 5]

A keen glimpse into the Parisian Avant-Garde, through photos (with commentary) of Kiki. Excellent book.

[Phil Buckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Kiki's Paris: Artists and Lovers 1900-1930" is exemplary among books describing the art and literary scene of this era. The authors, Billy Kluver and Julie Martin, note their emphasis on "the reliance on factual information and the visual density of the photographs" in the preface. They are the foundation of this in-depth and fascinating exploration of Montparnasse. Extensive photos capture the places, people and art of Montparnasse, many of which were found in private collections. Also, the writing is equally as revealing, sharing anecdotes and details from varied sources including interviews with members of this community (the notes are a must-read).

Kiki, the "Queen of Montparnasse," is prominent throughout the book, although many other notables are profiled. The authors go to great lengths to describe her life, personality and essence. This dedication and passion are evident throughout this excellent depiction of the artists and lovers that made this community extraordinary.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is more of a picture book that a novel. I loved looking at all of the pictures of the artists, their muses and lovers, their nemeses and other influential characters in and around their local haunts. I've read a lot about early Paris and this wonderful collection with its simple explanations provided great context behind the relationships and environments that influenced this exciting period.

[Tosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great Kiki of Paris. Professional Muse to Man Ray and others. In fact I suspect that they invented the term 'Muse' for her. She's whacky, she's the ultimate woman of that bo-ho period. And the book here serves as the ultimate scrapbook of sorts with great images of the great one.

[Allison Thurman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as a teenager, this is the book that first made me aware of flappers, bob haircuts, and Man Ray. I should probably reread it because 1920s Paris was a cauldron of creative activity - short of Renaissance Florence it's hard to think of a higher concentration of those who would be great.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

full of detail, fascinating stories about Montparnasse between the Wars

[Doris Raines · Rating 3 out of 5]

I BELIEVE I WOULD BUY THIS BOOK.

[Frank McAdam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is really nothing more than a family snapshot photo album tracing the development of Montparnasse as a center of Parisian nightlife from 1890 to 1930. Progressing in rough chronological order, the narrative consists of one column of text per page with the remainder of the page and that facing it taken up with photos of the artists, writers and their significant others who are under discussion. Of course, the greatest amount of attention is given to Kiki and her lovers and friends.

The text is not particularly well written or informative but rather a collection of gossip and anecdotes. Sometimes there is an item of interest - who knew that the Soviet filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein once discussed with James Joyce the ways in which interior monologue could be shown on film? - but mostly it concerns itself with drunken parties and amorous affairs. There is no in-depth discussion of the artists' lives nor any meaningful analysis of their work. For those readers who already possess such knowledge, the book may have some charms, but for those who don't it will be a frustrating read.

The book itself is probably the worst designed volume ever published by Abrams. I was surprised by this until I read the preface in which c0-author Billy Kluver proudly claims credit for having done it all himself with no other aid than a programmable calculator. Whatever Kluver's academic credentials, he possesses no design skills whatsoever. Text and photos are crammed together side by side without any thought to readability. As mentioned, the photos are generally snapshots and therefore of varying quality.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art and artists and models in the early 20th century in paris. Some artists I'm very familiar with, recognized some others names and a lot of others
A couple of pages on Barnes coming to Paris to add to his collection. (p 122)

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

good times good pics and hot chicks?

[Kittyinparis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a collection of vignettes of all the artists in and around Montparnasse at the turn of the 20th century. I named my cat after Kiki's best friend Therese treize.

[Gessy Alvarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Primarily a picture book with anecdotes and tragic love stories. What makes it great are the lovers and the enigmatic Kiki.

[Mills College Library]

700.9 K66k 1989