In 1966, MAD Magazine published a special issue, "MAD Follies #4", which featured "The Mad Mobile," created by Bob Clarke--four pages in the middle of the magazine were printed on thick cardboard; readers following a set of instructions could cut various pieces of MAD-centric artwork out of those cardboard pages and soon have their very own, full-color MAD Mobile hanging from their ceiling:
http://www.madcoversite.com/madfo04.htmlhttp://comics.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=830&lotIdNo=98022Flash forward 47 years: A black-and-white version of the MAD Mobile can be purchased for $300, signed by the "artist"--Louis Eisner
http://www.exhibitiona.com/pages/artitem.aspx?ai=369Quote:
Louis Eisner appropriated a Mad Magazine DIY mobile from a 1960s issue for this multiple. Printed double-sided on thick paper stock, each mobile comes with supplies for assembly: string, rods, scissors, and an instruction sheet designed by the artist. We think it looks cool unassembled and framed as one big sheet.
Please note that each print is hand-assembled. Unframed mobiles ship within 14 business days. Framed mobiles ship within 21 business days.
Sadly, Bob Clarke died back in March. But is this transformative use of his artwork, which was (I'm pretty sure) created on a work-for-hire basis, the copyright thus vesting in MAD's current owner--DC Comics/Time Warner?
More to the point--$300 bucks? This "artist" literally copied the entire mobile! What am I missing here?
