In 1968, my old friend from the US art scene, Alexander Calder, visited me in Rome. I had gone there in the 1950s, when my flat in New York was torn down and my first wife left me.As an artist, Calder was firstrate, which the world has recognised. But he was also great company: witty and playful, with a brilliant mind. One evening, we went out for dinner. I had been whitewashing my studio and had walked in the paint. When I crossed my legs, Calder took out a pencil, on impulse, and drew my portrait on one of the splattered soles, and my profile on the other. He signed each: "AC".
Milton Gendel | 2010
 |
1968 | Milton's Shoes | ALEXANDER CALDER
Source: La Stampa (20-03-2013)
|
 |
2006 | Self portrait as a triple mug shot by MILTON GENDEL
Source: The Guardian
|
The photograph was taken decades later. It was used as the cover of a catalogue for a show I gave in the museum of Spoleto in 2006. They suggested the shoes be used for the cover, but I wanted to make the image more personal, so I photographed myself reflected in the frame's glass. As you can see, it looks as if I am behind the shoes, falling feetfirst. It was a piece of luck, like so much in photography.
Milton Gendel | 2010
SOLE HUNTERS:
1984 | THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF STEVE PYKE
