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Title: Man on Fire/El hombre en llamas by Luis Jimenes, Rudolfo Anaya, Shifra Goldman, John Yau, Luis Jimenez, James Moore, Lucy R. Lippard ISBN: 0-8263-1551-8 Publisher: Albuquerque Mus Art Hist & Sc Pub. Date: July, 1994 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $49.95

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Average Customer Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

Rating: 5
Summary: Looking back and looking forward
Comment: This is a beautiful book that is a cataloque published in conjunction with an exhibition entitled "Man on Fire. Luis Jimenez." The exhibit was organized by the The Albuquerque Museum in 1994. The text that accomapanies the magnificent illustrations and sculptures in different media is highly informative and gives insight into this artist from El Paso, Texas. There are several essays by different people, all of which are excellent, but the one that is probably the most interesting is the perspective by writer Rudolfo Anaya who is probably best known for his quintessential Chicano novel entitled "Bless Me Ultima." His perspective is one that reflects the imagery of the artist in a southwest fashion that is steeped in a heritage that dates back to the myths of the Americas, like a feathered Quetzalcoatl that continues to flow back and forth across the frontera(border) in the spirit of old Mexico. Of even more interest is the written word by the artist himself in which he describes "The Process of Developing a Sculpture." Not only does he explain the process but throughout the book but there are a number of drawings, usually colored pencil on paper but many times ballpoint pen on cardboard, crayon on paper, graphite on paper, etchings or watercolor and ink on paper in which you see the beginnings of what will become public art in vibrant colors in larger than life fiberglass sculptures. There are also several lithographs included. The studies for his fiberglass masterpieces are works of art themselves. The book is a bilingual text, with Spanish and English language right next to each other for easy reference. The book is a sort of retrospective that captures the artists early years of development up to the present where his works are featured in major cities and museums. Years ago I first became acquainted with his works when I saw his alligators sculpture in downtown El Paso in San Jacinto Plaza or as it commonly known , Plaza De Los Lagartos(Alligator Plaza). This was of particular interest to me because I remember as a young kid seeing the live alligators in the plaza, then the removal of the alligators and eventually the installation of the sculpture in the early 1990's. His monumental works can be seen in many different locations such as the Denver International Airport where his "Denver Mustang" greets visitors, The "Southwest Pieta" of Albuquerque, New Mexico, that was not without controversy before settling into a more "Mexican " section of town and locally(San Diego) the "The San Diego Fountain," with it's post modern design and marine life panels in newly refurbished historical Horton Plaza. Prestigous museums like the The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Smithsonian in Washington DC and The Long Beach Musem of Art are just several of the many museums that house Luis Jimenez pieces of art. As mentioned his works are featured in several museums as permanent pieces in various media including several bronze outdoor pieces and of course his unique fiberglass work. His fiberglass pieces are instanly identifiable for their briliance and radiant color schemes that reflect the spirit of the southwest. If there is not enough information here in customer reviews than do a search to see some of the images created by Luis Jimenez, they are absolutely amazing and breathtaking. After seeing some his works you will want to get this book ,unless of course you can afford one of his pieces. If you enjoy art books than this is one to look for and add to your collection. Recommended for southwest art book collectors.

Rating: 5
Summary: Imagination Unextinguished: Luis Jimenez's "Man on Fire"
Comment: Try to imagine that someone captured all the stars in the sky, molded them into straining human and animal shapes and then sealed them beneath a glistening coat of spring rain. If you can fix that image in your mind you have some slight idea of the power of the sculpture of Luis Jimenez. This artist uses materials that you'd expect to see gracing the clear-coated skins of street rods to make amazing sculptures of men and women who work hard for a living, play hard for life and face Death like a long-lost lover. In his book "Man on Fire" you see a collection of the various stages of the ideas that have sprung from this creative man's mind. It is fascinating to see the pencil drawing receive color, then go on to a maquette and finally a finished sculpture that more often than not looks like liquid fire trapped momentarily in solid form. It is equally fascinating to see and read about what inspired Mr. Jimenez to combine such diverse influences to create uniquely new works. Having seen several of Mr. Jimenez's pieces in person, I can say that the pictures in this book pale in comparison to the real pieces but then a pale reflection of near-perfection is still near perfection. I'd recommend this book and this artist to anyone interested in something beyond the usual and I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.