Prior to 1980 Gumby was one of those icons "riding the fast lane into obscurity" when Los Angeles performance artist Michael West had an epiphany:
"'He was once a little green slab of clay, but you should see what Gumby can do today.' Those were the words that reverberated though me as I sat mime-faced in a tree, pondering what leap I should take creatively..... The process was simplicity in the making; in my quiet mime state of mind, I saw all the pieces like a puzzle, fitting neatly together. The sheer clarity of this creation filled me with a sense of awe — two 6 ft. rectangles of foam, four yards of stretchy green top cloth, a few felt squares, red, yellow and white. And in one afternoon, the vision was complete, as my three-dimensional carvings of Gumby sprang to life!"
Michael West's book is filled with tales of his years as Gumby on the streets of L.A. — an enterprise that would lead not only to Eddie Murphy's "I'm Gumby Dammit!" skits on Saturday Night Live, but to a resurgence of Gumby-mania, including TV shows, a movie, Gumby shops and parades.
With adventures such as swimming, fire-walking, and attempted bank robbery, Gumby participated in many activities that are no longer possible after 9/11. For 10 years, Michael West held the world's only license to perform as Gumby and for years he spent "75% of his waking time" in his Gumby suit. His enjoyable tales tickle your funnybone while giving you insight into West's love for Gumby and what makes the flexible green guy tick.
"'He was once a little green slab of clay, but you should see what Gumby can do today.' Those were the words that reverberated though me as I sat mime-faced in a tree, pondering what leap I should take creatively..... The process was simplicity in the making; in my quiet mime state of mind, I saw all the pieces like a puzzle, fitting neatly together. The sheer clarity of this creation filled me with a sense of awe — two 6 ft. rectangles of foam, four yards of stretchy green top cloth, a few felt squares, red, yellow and white. And in one afternoon, the vision was complete, as my three-dimensional carvings of Gumby sprang to life!"
Michael West's book is filled with tales of his years as Gumby on the streets of L.A. — an enterprise that would lead not only to Eddie Murphy's "I'm Gumby Dammit!" skits on Saturday Night Live, but to a resurgence of Gumby-mania, including TV shows, a movie, Gumby shops and parades.
With adventures such as swimming, fire-walking, and attempted bank robbery, Gumby participated in many activities that are no longer possible after 9/11. For 10 years, Michael West held the world's only license to perform as Gumby and for years he spent "75% of his waking time" in his Gumby suit. His enjoyable tales tickle your funnybone while giving you insight into West's love for Gumby and what makes the flexible green guy tick.
