Juggling. The Art And Its Artists. by Karl­Heinz Ziethen and Andrew Allen. ISBN 3-9801140-1-5. Published by Werner Rausch & Werner Luft Inc., Berlin. $46 until May 31, $64 later.

 

Reviewed by Bill Giduz, publisher

 

Naturalists have 'em and train buffs have 'em. There are shelves full for

artists, and finally jugglers have a hand­some coffee table book of their own. Without even turning the first page, the 9"-by-11" cover of the hardback book, Juggling: The Art and Its Artists bespeaks quality. A sparse interpretive drawing of Francis Brunn by Paul Degan set on a shiny silver background captures in a few pen strokes the power and beauty of the art.

 

Inside, about 350 photographs and poster reproductions chronicle juggling

from long past to present. But the aim of the book is not history. Ziethen has assembled some of the best pictures in his vast collection to give a pictorial overview of juggling as art.

 

Allen's text matches that theme as well. It's easy reading. He limits his prose to about a half-page at the beginning of each section, plus a thorough and informative three-page introductory overview of juggling history. Allen's style is humorous and thought-provoking. It is a complement to, rather than interference with, the main business of the book, which is pictures, pictures, pictures!

 

Picture Paul Conchas balancing an artillery piece on his head. Picture Paul Spadoni seated, juggling a tray, table, cup and saucer. Picture a close-up of RastelIi's powerful hands gripping a ball and a club. Picture Paolo Piletto standing on one foot on a rolIing globe, spinning a hoop on the other foot, balancing two balls on pedestals and juggling five hoops.

 

The photographs cover everything from juggling's sublime to its ridiculous. The minimalist drawing of Brunn on the cover contrasts wonderfully with a 1910 poster showing the comic chaos of the Seven Perezoffs in their restaurant skit. Both styles are flip sides of the same artistic coin.

 

The book consists of 19 sections devoted to certain styles of juggling, forms of manipulation or particular jugglers. Individuals deemed worthy of a full chapter's attention are Paul Cinquevalli, the Kremos, Enrico Rastelli and the Brunns. Almost anyone else of any notoriety is pictured elsewhere in the book. A total of 212 artists, active and retired, are listed along with a one or two sentence biographical sketch in a helpful index at the back of the volume. The performers are listed alphabetically and handily cross-indexed to the page on which their picture appears.

 

Most photos are publicity shots, many visibly signed by the performer with greetings to Ziethen. A half-dozen color illustrations surprise the viewer intermittently throughout the volume. The most effective photos, however, are those taken candidly in performance. You see Violetta Kiss doing a one-hand stand on Alexander Kiss' head as he juggles in the circus ring, and look beyond into the rapt faces of the Russian audience.

 

The illustrations provide good ideas for aspiring performers for both tricks and costuming. Many are simple and easily adaptable, while others are only things to dream of, such as Erik van Aro's juggling of a drum set.

 

The typography and design are excellent. Humorous cartoons by juggler Toly M begin each chapter with a light touch. The book is dedicated to John Fisher, an English television producer who has helped Ziethen over the years to amassing his collection.

 

Pride of authorship is clear throughout.  Allen, a performer himself and student of languages, gives the English language a healthy workout. Witness an excerpt from his introduction to the chapter on Russian jugglers: "So many superb jugglers have come from the USSR that this entire chapter is devoted in its entirety to the exasperating exuberance of these perpetuants of dexterital anomalies." Now there's a man who enjoys his craft!