Irving Harper: Works in Paper

by Michael Maharam (Editor), Irving Harper (Artist), Julie Lasky (Contributor)

An intimate monograph of the professional and personal creations of a midcentury design legend. Irving Harper is the most famous designer you have never heard of. Working as an associate at the office of George Nelson in the 1950s and ’60s, Harper was responsible for such icons of midcentury design as the Marshmallow sofa, the Ball clock, and numerous Herman Miller textile designs. Harper’s unrecognized contribution to this seminal era of design, and his incredible paper sculptures (made in his spare time to "relieve stress"), are presented for the first time in this book. An essay by design critic Julie Lasky introduces Harper’s commercial design work, recognizable designs from graphics to domestic goods to furniture that are still coveted and appreciated today, designed for the offices of Raymond Loewy, George Nelson, and then his own studio Harper + George. The second part of the book documents Harper’s extensive paper sculptures, which have never been exhibited. More than three hundred works fill Harper’s house and barn in Rye, New York, where this array of fantastical people and animal sculptures was created from modest and inexpensive materials as diverse as spaghetti and toothpicks in addition to paper. Images of Harper’s home, filled with furniture and objects of his own design as well as his paper sculptures, offer a rare glimpse into a Modern design enthusiast’s paradise.Offering insight into an important era of American design as well as the prolific output of a creative mind, this book promises to be the first to recognize Irving Harper’s contribution to the field and will appeal to fans of Modern design.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Design, Reference

176 pages, Hardcover

First published February 12, 2013

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book at the only exhibit of this man's work. I found his art fascinating, well thought through but still spontaneous.

I got the book so I could keep his work near me, since the artist keeps all his own work. Its hard for me to decide if I love this book because of how well its written and conceptualized or because I love the artist.

But, I'm not sure that matters anyway.

[Cbphoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy sculpture, origami, paper folding or construction, or pop up books, you should treat yourself to this book. Irving Harper is best known as a mid-century designer for George Nelson and others. His paper sculpting came about as a way for him to relieve stress. He just kept at it for years.

The work is beautifully illustrated in this book, and is beautifully artistic in its own right.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating art.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is just enough text to provide a history of Irving and his life, without getting bogged down with it.
The creations Irving has made with "just" paper are really amazing and beautiful. It would be wonderful to spend time viewing them at length in a museum; but, I got to see them in a book.
I am sure they were very difficult and complicated to make; the mastery of them is that they make me think I could do something like it...and make me want to try.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely wonderful look at the private art of one of the twentieth century's best (and often uncredited) designers. There is an exhibit of his work in NY going until November 8th. I am seriously considering making a trip.

[Elaine Meszaros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Long-time industrial designer Irving Harper now works on his personal paper-folding projects. His works are a combination of traditional origami and sculpture in other, more traditional mediums. Detailed, textured and visually striking.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book to linger with. Not returning it for a while. Inspiring.

[Karri · Rating 4 out of 5]

amazing work, wow!

[Salvatore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing. I mean, you can do other things with paper than make books?