 |
Endochrinology
|
In this collaborative project between a poet and a visual artist, the human body is viewed through the functioning of the endocrine system. The work continues Berssenbrugge's brilliant explorations of language in the light of changes in the body's chemistry. However, in the process of this collaboration, the syntactical sentence, which for many years has been the hallmark of Berssenbrugge's poetry, has been disrupted. Her long lines are broken and order and meaning are constellated in new ways.
Winner of the Asian American Literary Award, 1997.
With the poet Mei-mei Bersenbrugge she made a book titled
"Endocrinology" that turns the lymphatic system into a
succession of floral still lifes. Over-all, the work comes across as
both cool and confrontational. Its spirit matches that found in
Buddhist texts that teach disciples to overcome their terror at the
prospect of dissolution by mentally dissecting the body and
scrutinizing its parts: "hairs of the head, hairs of the body,
nails, teeth, skin; muscles, sinews, bones, marrow, kidneys; heart,
liver, spleen, lungs; intestines, stomach; excrement, brain; bile,
digestive juices; pus, blood, grease, fat; tears, sweat, spittle, snot,
fluid of the joints, urine." Ms. Smith's prints embody just
such a litany.
from: Art Review
Kiki Smith: The Body in All Its Mortal Urgency
December 5, 2003
In its original form the work was produced by Bill Goldston at Universal Limited Art Editions, Inc. The Kelsey St. edition was made from photocopies of the original book.
Read Mei-mei Berssenbrugge's bio.
Read Kiki Smith's bio.