Eons from now, when our civilization has fallen and future historians wonder how it happened, one of them may come across this book review, from this week’s Publisher’s Weekly (no free link), and think it provides a clue to our collapse, on the grounds the PW could find no other forthcoming book more worthy of its attention and respect:
Pees on Earth
Ellen Jong. powerHouse, $29.95 (112p) ISBN 1-57687-317-X
A photographer and multimedia artist whose work has appeared in Vogue and Playgirl, Jong likes to pee in public places. At first glance, this book of photos documenting her urinary exploits seems like a one-trick pony, but Jong’s humor, charm and sense of beauty cumulatively create a rich experience. Grungy urban locales alternately elicit disgust, giggles and titillation; a stream of golden drops pouring into gravel by a reedy pond is lyrically gorgeous. Jong relieves herself in New York City, Hawaii, Shanghai, Mexico and Florida; in city, suburbia, on the beach and, doglike, into snow. The captionless photos are interrupted by Jong’s interview of ex-prostitute/sex maven/performance artist Annie Sprinkle, whose name may be inspired by her own public peeing performances, and who categorizes Jong’s work as “post-porn:” “sex- or body-oriented material that goes beyond mainstream porn or erotica.” In fact, these photos are more likely to be funny, pretty or childishly mischievous than erotic. Jong writes of “peeing as a means to reevaluate the spaces I find myself in—to make them my own,” and the peace in release. Balancing precariously between aesthetic exploration, hip party prank and self-indulgent performance art, this book is apt to annoy those who aren’t enchanted by it. (May)